The Keikyu 1500 series (京急1500形) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by private railway operator Keikyu on commuter services in the Tokyo area of Japan since 1985.[1]

Keikyu 1500 series
6-car set 1537 in July 2021
ManufacturerTokyu Car Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Constructed1985–1991
Entered service1985
Refurbished2002–
Scrapped2022–
Number built166 vehicles (28 sets)
Number in service138 vehicles (22 sets)
Number scrapped28 vehicles (6 sets)
Formation4/6/8 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers
  • 1501–1549
  • 1561–1593
  • 1701–1731
OperatorsKeikyu
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium, steel (sets 1501 to 1517)
Car length18,000 mm (59 ft 1 in)
Width2,830 mm (9 ft 3 in)
Doors3 pairs per side
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)[1]
Traction systemField chopper
Variable frequency (GTO/IGBT)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC Overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Multiple working600 series, N1000 series, 2100 series
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)

Operations

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The eight-car sets are primarily used on limited-stop "Rapid Limited Express" and "Limited Express" services on the Keikyu Main Line, including through-running services to and from the Toei Asakusa Line and the Keisei Oshiage Line.[1] The four- and six-car sets are mostly used on all-stations "Local" services.[1] The 1500 series sets can be used in multiple with other Keikyu EMU types, including the 600 series, N1000 series, 2000 series, and 2100 series.[1]

Formations

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Set 1713 in May 2017, retro-fitted with full-colour LED destination indicators

As of March 2023, the fleet consists of 138 vehicles formed as six-car, and eight-car sets, as follows.[2]

4-car sets 1501 to 1525

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Designation M1c M2 M1 M2c
Numbering 15xx 15xx 15xx 15xx
  • The "M1c" and "M1" cars are each fitted with one lozenge-type pantograph.[2]
  • Sets 1501 to 1517 have steel bodies, all of which are now retired as of March 2023.[3] All other sets have aluminum bodies. [2]

6-car sets 1529 to 1549, 1561 to 1593

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15 six-car formed by adding two 1900 trailer cars to four-car sets. Sets 1561 to 1593 were originally numbered 1601 to 1649.[citation needed]

Designation M1c M2 Tu Ts M1 M2c
Numbering 1xxx 1xxx 19xx 19xx 1xxx 1xxx
  • The "M1c" cars are fitted with one lozenge-type pantograph, and the "M1" cars are fitted with two.[2]

8-car sets 1701 to 1731

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5 eight-car sets formed by adding two 1900 trailer cars to six-car sets.

Designation M1c M2 Tu Ts M1 M2 M1 M2c
Numbering 17xx 17xx 19xx 19xx 17xx 17xx 17xx 17xx
  • The "M1c" and end "M1" cars are each fitted with one lozenge-type pantograph, and the centre "M1" cars are fitted with two.[2]

Interior

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Passenger accommodation consists of longitudinal bench seating throughout.[1]

History

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Four-car steel-bodied set 1501 in original style in April 1985

The 1500 series fleet was built between 1985 and 1991.[1] The first five four-car sets delivered had steel bodies, while all subsequent sets had aluminium bodies with door pocket windows discontinued.[1] Sets built from 1990 onward used VVVF control.[1]

A programme of life-extension refurbishment commenced in 2002. This involved adding new air-conditioning units, removing the original door pocket windows of the steel bodied cars, and adding front-end skirts.[1]

On 24 September 2012, set 1701 derailed between Oppama Station and Keikyu Taura Station. It was since retired and was replaced by Keikyu N1000 set 1169.[citation needed]

Withdrawal

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As part of Keikyu's investment plan for fiscal 2022, withdrawals of the four-car steel-bodied sets commenced in May 2022 with the introduction of new 4-car stainless steel N1000-1890 series sets.[3]

Livery variations

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From 25 February 2018, four-car set 1521 was finished in a special "Keikyu 120 years of progress" livery with each of the four cars carrying a different livery used by Keikyu trains in the past. The livery remained on the car until 24 February 2019.[4] Car 1 carries the dark red used on 51 series EMUs from 1924 to 1965, car 2 carries the red and yellow livery used on 500 series and other trains from 1951 to 1963, car 3 carries the red livery used on 1500 series and other trains since 1953, and car 4 carries the red and white livery used on 800, N1000 and 2100 series trains since 1978.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 私鉄車両年鑑 2012: 大手15社営業用車両完全網羅 私鉄車両年鑑2012 [Japan Private Railways Annual 2012]. Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. February 2012. p. 124. ISBN 978-4-86320-549-9.
  2. ^ a b c d e 私鉄車両編成表 2017 私鉄車両編成表 2017 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations – 2017] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 25 July 2017. p. 37. ISBN 978-4-330-81317-2.
  3. ^ a b 京急「1500形」置き換えへ 京急の2022年度鉄道事業設備投資計画 | 鉄道ニュース [Keikyu to replace "1500 series" as part of its capital investment plan for FY2022]. Tetsudo Channel (in Japanese). EXPRESS Co., Ltd. 12 May 2022.
  4. ^ 「京急120年の歩み号」運転開始 ["Keikyu 120 years of progress" train enters service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  5. ^ 創立120周年記念日2月25日(日)から特別ラッピング列車「京急120年の歩み号」を運行 [Special "Keikyu 120 years of progress" reliveried train to run from 25 February marking 120th anniversary of founding]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: Keikyu. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
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