Tokyu 9000 series

Data (as of 31 Mar 2024)

History

The 9000 series was an epoch-making train on Tokyu at the time of introduction. Until the mid-1980s, Tokyu had been introducing 8000 series (in service 1969-2008) or similar types like 8090 series and 8500 series, but the design of 9000 series was apparently different from any other trains then. Tokyu adopted inverter-contorlled traction to make trains more efficient, more comfortable and less costly when maintaining.

14 eight-carriages were introduced to Toyoko Line, and a five-car unit was introduced to Oimachi Line. Those on Toyoko Line were withdrawn by 2013, a day before the company launched through-services to Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin, Seibu Ikebukuro and Tobu Tojo Lines. They were shortened to five coaches and reallocated to Oimachi Line.

Tokyu planned to use them on through-services to Tokyo Metro Namboku and Toei Mita Lines, but later found that it would be too costly to convert and refurbish them. Due to the same reason, they were never used on Fukutoshin Line.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

Stopping services on Oimachi Line are mostly served by this 9000 series, but they are due to be replaced with new trains in 2024-27.

Seibu is going to purchase and reintroduce the 9000 series trains to Chichibu, Sayama, Tamagawa and Tamako Lines from 2025, replacing 101 series, 2000 series and 4000 series trains.

Photo

The 9000 series on Oimachi Line.