Tobu 50000 series

The 50000 (50050) series on Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line.

Data (as of 12 Jan 2024)

Status:	Least Concern
Constructed in:	2004-12
Number built:	400
Registered:	400

History

The 50000 series is a part of Hitachi A-train like IETs and Class 385 in Great Britain, though it does not look like them. There are several groups as described below, but all units are formed of ten coaches and mainly used in urban areas rather than on rural lines.

There are four subseries: 50000 subseries (original), 50050 subseries (for through-services to Tokyo Metro Hanzomon and Tokyu Den-en-toshi Lines), 50070 subseries (for through-services to Tokyo Metro Yurakucho, Fukutoshin, Tokyu Toyoko and Minatomirai Lines) and 50090 subseries (for TJ Liner).

The 50000 subseries (nine units) have been used on Tojo Line, and all but first unit can run the underground. Nevertheless, none of them has been to Yurakucho or Fukutoshin Lines, and used only on Tobu lines. Two units were reallocated to Isesaki Line in 2019-21, and these two are treated in a same way as the 50050 subseries.

The 50050 subseries were introduced to Isesaki and Tobu Nikko Lines, to expand the through-services to Hanzomon and Den-en-toshi Lines, as well as to replace 30000 series. 18 units are allocated to the lines, but there are quite a few reliability problems.

The 50070 subseries are used on Tojo Line as well as through-services to Yurakucho, Fukutoshin, Tokyu Toyoko and Minatomirai Lines. There are seven units, and probably the least common type on the through-services in the area.

Finally, the 50090 subseries was designed for TJ Liner (Ikebukuro - Ogawamachi), all-reserved-seat services for commuters. They have convertible seating (longitudinal to transverse and vice versa), and Tobu was the first railway operator in eastern Japan to adopt this feature. Six units are in service, and they are also used on ordinary services on Tojo Line.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

To sum up, they are allocated as follows.

50000s	Tojo, Isesaki and Nikko Lines
50050s	Isesaki and Nikko Lines
50070s	Tojo Line
50090s	Tojo Line (including TJ Liner)

Photos

The first unit of the 50000 series, which runs on Tojo Line, has no gangway next to the cab.

The 50090 series in "heritage livery", in which limited express on Tojo Line was painted (1949-67). It was modelled after Flying Scotsman in Britain.