Yokohama Municipal Subway 3000 series
Data (as of 31 Mar 2024)
| Status: | (See tables below) |
| Constructed in: | 1992-2017 |
| Number built: | 228 |
| Registered: | 180 |
History
The 3000 series was developed for Yokohama Municipal Subway Lines 1 and 3, both of which are commonly known as Blue Line. There are five groups (A, N, R, S and V) as if being different types. Each unit consists of six coaches.
This article describes all five groups separately, as listed below.
3000A series
| Status: | Critically Endangered |
| Constructed in: | 1992-93 |
| Number built: | 48 |
| Registered: | 18 |
The 3000A series was introduced when northern part of the Blue Line was extended from Shin-Yokohama to Azamino. It was simply called "3000 series" at first, but an alphabet was added to it when driver-only operation began in 2007. The 3000A series was the first rolling stock on Yokohama Municipal Subway to have inverter-controlled traction. Eight units were built in total but withdrawal commenced in 2022.
3000N series
| Status: | Vulnerable |
| Constructed in: | 1999 |
| Number built: | 42 |
| Registered: | 36 |
The 3000N series was introduced when southern part of the Line was extended from Totsuka to Shonandai. According to Yokohama City Transportation Bureau, N stands for "New", as it is completely different from the 3000A series, though the design is somehow similar to it. Seven units were delivered in total, but one of them was scrapped after a crash in 2019 caused by drowsy driving.
The Bureau planned replacing all N series units by 2030 when the northern part of line is extended further to Shin-Yurigaoka. This plan was scrapped due to financial difficulties in 2022 but reinstated in 2024.
3000R series
| Status: | Least Concern |
| Constructed in: | 2004-05 |
| Number built: | 84 |
| Registered: | 84 |
The 3000R series is the most successful one among all five groups. According to the Bureau, R means "Replace", as the series replaced 1000 series (in service: 1972-2006), the first rolling stock for Yokohama Municipal Subway. The body design is similar to that of the 3000N series, but they look quite different because of painting. Motors, traction and braking systems are also the same as those of the N series. All 14 units are operational, and they will be refurbished in 2025-28.
3000S series
| Status: | Near Threatened |
| Constructed in: | 2005-06 |
| Number built: | 48 |
| Registered: | 36 |
The 3000S series looks like almost the same as the 3000R series, but bogies, braking systems and converters were reused from those of 2000 series (in service: 1984-2006) to reduce costs. The Bureau insists that S stands for "Satisfaction", and the operator certainly satisfied with it the most, as each unit of the S series costed two-thirds of that of the R series. There were eight units in total, but one of them was scrapped after a derailment in 2019 caused by improper use of engineering tools.
The Bureau plans to replace them with 4000 series by 2031 as part of the 3000S series will be more than 40 years old by then.
3000V series
| Status: | Least Concern |
| Constructed in: | 2017 |
| Number built: | 6 |
| Registered: | 6 |
The 3000V series was introduced when the Bureau commenced fast service (Rapid) on Blue Line. Since this is the fifth group, the Bureau named it V, the Roman numeral. The body design has not been changed from that of the R and S series, but there are many enhanced features including improved accessibility. Inverters for traction are more eco-friendly than before, and bogies have censors that monitor track condition.
Current Operations & Future Prospects
All 3000A series units are going to be replaced with 4000 series by 2024, as refurbishing the A series would be too costly. The 3000N series and 3000S series will also be withdrawn by 2031. Others, namely the 3000R and 3000V series, remain operational even after the 2030s.
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