Toei Class E5000

Data (as of 6 Jul 2024)

History

The Class E5000 is the only type of locomotive in Japan used on underground. There are four single-ended locos, but they are effectively two double-ended locos as they form in pairs. The Class E5000 hauls Oedo Line stock between a siding and the maintenance depot near Nishi-Magome on Asakusa Line. As Oedo Line trains cannot run outside their workplace while Asakusa Line trains are too large to enter Oedo Line, the Bureau introduced the locomotives.

In late-2013, both locos ran Keikyu lines due to their overhaul at Kurihama maintenance depot in Kanagawa Prefecture. It was the first time for them to run outside the underground. Their major overhaul takes place every eight years, but the one in 2022 was carried out by another company, and thus they were transported by lorries. It is not certain when or even if they will run Keikyu lines again.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

The Class E5000 hauls Oedo Line trains late at night. There is a short line called Shiodome Link Line between Shiodome Sidings (Oedo Line) and Daimon (Asakusa Line), and the empty coaching stock runs there. Naturally, all works of the Class E5000 are marked as "runs as required".