Tokyu 8500 series
Nagaden 8500 series

Data (as of 12 Oct 2024)

History

8500 series was designed for Den-en-toshi Line and through-services to TRTA (now Tokyo Metro) Hanzomon Line, based on Tokyu 8000 series (1969-2008). It had once been the most numerous train that Tokyu owned. Each unit was initially formed of four coaches, but became 10 as the demand surged.

The series entered service in 1975. In 1977-88, Tokyu hired out a few units to Hanzomon Line while TRTA developed and gradually introduced 8000 series. The 8500 series was also used on Toyoko Line in the 1970-90s and Oimachi Line in the 2003-2019.

Withdrawal commenced in 2002 when through-services towards Tobu lines were launched, and all units were due to be replaced with new trains by the early-2010s, but Tokyu changed its replacement plan as the Global Financial Crisis struck the company. The withdrawal resumed in 2018 following the introduction of 2020 series, and the last unit retired in January 2023. Several units were shortened and resold to Chichibu Railway, Izukyu and Nagano Electric Railway, and some others were also exported to Indonesia.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

Chichibu Railway, Izukyu and Nagano Electric Railway (Nagaden) use them for stopping services on their mainlines. Nagaden envisages withdrawing all trainsets by 2029.

Meanwhile, Tokyu announced in 2024 that it would preserve a four-car unit, a surprising comeback which is extremely rare for Japanese train operators. It will run Oimachi, Den-en-toshi and Kodomonokuni Lines during high season and for tour purposes. However, the CBTC system (communications-based train control, a new signalling system) is due to be introduced to Den-en-Toshi Line in 2028, indicating that the preservation could be over by then.

Photos

Unit 8606 was the last train on Tokyu that had rollsigns. Now, all trains have LED displays to show destination.

There were several units that had different bands from others. This one was modelled after Izukyu Railway's train.

Like other trains for stopping services, the 8500 series on Oimachi Line had yellow bands.

Those on Nagano Railway were shortened to three coaches, but look almost identical to when they were running on Tokyu network.