Kintetsu 16000 series

Data (as of 12 Jan 2024)

History

The 16000 series was developed as the very first limited express train for Minami Osaka and Yoshino Lines. Kintetsu had been focusing on intercity trains between Nagoya and Osaka, competing with Japanese National Railways. However, as Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail opened in 1964, ridership of Kintetsu trains plummeted by more than 80%. The company dramatically changed its policies and decided to improve regional services and encourage bullet train passengers to visit tourist spots including Yoshino.

The introduction of the 16000 series was so successful that the company had to order more trains as soon as the services commenced. There were only three pairs of regular services a day, but increased to 25 in the 1990s. Hence, more 16000 series trains were delivered, one of which was formed of four coaches. A two-car unit introduced in 1981 has slightly different design and is called 16010 series.

Three two-car units were transferred to Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture when 16400 series was introduced in 1997 and 2002.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

Kintetsu uses the 16000 and 16010 series for Limited Express services between Osaka-Abenobashi and Yoshino. Their schedules are not fixed and run randomly (except trains with the name of Sakura Liner). The remaining units of the 16000 series include carriages built in 1970 so that some of them might be withdrawn in the near future as the ridership declines. However, the complete retirement does not look imminent.

Oigawa Railway uses a two-car unit for stopping services on Oigawa Main Line.