Tokyu 7200 and 7600 series

Data (as of 27 Nov 2021)

*Except SaYa 7590.

History

The history of the series is complicated in spite of the small number of carriages. There were 7200 series, 7600 series and a measurement train called SaYa 7590, and the 7200 and 7600 series were withdrawn from Tokyu by 2015, but some 7200 series are still used by small private railway companies.

7200 series

The 7200 series was introduced to Den-en-toshi and Mekama Line (now Meguro and Tokyu Tamagawa Lines), and later reallocated to Toyoko Line. The body was made of stainless-steel except two carriages that were made of aluminium. When the 7200 series trains were introduced to Den-en-toshi Line in 1967, the Line was connecting Oimachi and Nagatsuta (part of which is now known as Oimachi Line). The trains were formed of four coaches between Oimachi and Saginuma and divided to two. It is hard to believe it that the Line, which is now notorious for extreme congestion, was once like a rural railway.

All 7200 series (except a measurement train as described below) gathered at Mekama and Ikegami Lines by 1987, and they were withdrawn from all passenger service by 2000. 42 carriages were transferred to small private railways, and 32 of them are still in use.

7600 series

In 1986, Tokyu converted four carriages of the 7200 series to 7600 series with new traction (inverter-controlled), motors and bogies. It was due to shortages of carriages with motors and a few front carriages being redundant. The company decided to rearrange them to three-carriage units and used along with the 7200 series. They were withdrawn in 2015 following the introduction of 7000 series.

Measurement Train

Tokyu converted the two carriages with aluminium bodies to a measurement train (DeYa 7200 and DeYa 7290) in 1991. An intermediate carriage SaYa 7590 was added to them in 1998. The three-carriage unit engaged in monitoring and assessing condition of tracks, signals and overhead wires every two months. Moreover, the DeYas were used as a shunter and an alternative cab unit when the 7600 series and 7700 series ran Den-en-toshi Line for overhaul, as those two old trains were not compatible with the latest signalling systems. The DeYas were withdrawn in 2012, but the SaYa 7590 is still in use with a new measurement train TOQ i.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

Toyohashi Rail Road (Aichi Prefecture) and Oiawa Railway (Shizuoka Prefecture) use them on their lines. Those in Toyohashi are renamed 1800 series, and ten three-car units are being used. Oigawa has two carriages, and both have been converted to double-ended.

Photos

When the 7600 series was about to retire, Tokyu restored it to the original livery (no painting).

A measurement train converted from the 7200 series.