Metropolitan Intercity Railway TX-2000 series

Data (as of 12 Jan 2024)

History

The TX-2000 series is one of two types introduced to Tsukuba Express alongside TX-1000 series. The 2000 series is dual-voltage so that it can be used on the entire Tsukuba Express network. 16 six-carriage units were introduced in 2003-04, and Metropolitan Intercity Railway ordered seven more units in 2008 and 2012 due to an increase in demand. Those introduced in 2008 and 2012 have red bands. Some carriages had transverse seating, but replaced with longitudinal one by 2020.

The 2000 series units introduced in 2003-04 look almost identical to the 1000 series, but the 2000 series has red number plates below a cab and next to a door. Pantograph position and other equipment on a roof are also slightly different.

MIR has been infamous for troubles owing to careless and poor maintenance team. The most notorious one is perhaps a 2000 series unit which was severely damaged in 2019 as it collided with buffers in a depot. Two of six coaches were scrapped and the rest four have been stored since then.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

The TX-2000 series is used on the entire network, mostly working as fast and semi-fast services. MIR plans to make some trains formed of eight coaches in the early-2030s to ease congestion, and the 2000 series units are likely to be rearranged by then.

Photos

Those introduced after 2008 have red bands, making them easy to distinguish from older units.