Tokyu 8090 and 8590 series

Data (as of 27 Nov 2021)

History

Tokyu had been introducing trains whose bodies are made of stainless-steel since 1958, and they were arguably sturdy but heavy. The company therefore developed a new type called 8090 series, which was based on 8000 series (in service: 1969-2008) and 8500 series but lighter than those predecessors. There were also front carriages with a gangway in the middle of the front end (in accordance with regulations for trains running underground), which were called 8590 series.

The first unit of the 8090 series was formed of seven coaches and introduced to Toyoko Line, while others consisted of eight coaches. In 1988, the 8590 series was introduced to Toyoko Line in preparation of through-services to Minatomirai Line that began in 2004. Some of them were later reallocated to Den-en-toshi and Oimachi Lines, and the 8590 series on Den-en-Toshi Line were also used for through-services to Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line.

Tokyu generally use trains with stainless-steel bodies longer than other companies do, but the 8090 and 8590 series declined less than 30 years after the introduction. Those on Toyoko Line were replaced with 5000 series by 2007. The 8090 and 8590 series dwindled in the 2010s: they were withdrawn from Oimachi Line in 2013 as 9000 series were reallocated from Toyoko Line. Those on Den-en-toshi Line were used mostly at peak times after the through-services were extended to Tobu lines in 2003, because the 8590 series could not run Tobu network. They were replaced with 2020 series by 2019.

Some 8090 series were transferred to Chichibu Railway in Saitama Prefecture (7500 and 7800 series), and a few 8590 series were resold to Toyama Chihou Railway (17480 series).

Current Operations & Future Prospects

Chichibu Railway uses seven three-carriage units (7500 series) and four two-car units (7800 series) on the entire line. The 7800 series were converted from intermediate carriages so that they look a little strange. Toyama Chihou Railway uses four two-car units of 17480 series for express and stopping services on Main and Tateyama Lines.

Photos

The 8090 series on Oimachi Line with a farewell sticker.

The 8590 series on Den-en-toshi Line (the original livery).