The Meitetsu 2000 series (名鉄2000系) is a tilting electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Nagoya Railroad (Meitetsu) on limited express services in Japan since January 2005.[1]

Meitetsu 2000 series
Meitetsu 2000 series
Meitetsu 2000 series
In serviceJanuary 2005 – present
ManufacturerNippon Sharyo
Entered service2005
Number built48 vehicles (12 sets)
Number in service48 vehicles (12 sets)
Formation4 cars per trainset
Capacity181
OperatorsNagoya Railroad
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Doors2 per side
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Acceleration2.3 km/(h⋅s) (1.4 mph/s)
Deceleration3.5 km/(h⋅s) (2.2 mph/s)(service)
4.2 km/(h⋅s) (2.6 mph/s) (emergency)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC
Current collector(s)Overhead catenary
Safety system(s)ATS
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Operations

edit

The 2000 series operates as an access train serving Central Japan International Airport (Centrair), and entered service in January 2005, shortly before the airport opened. The trains made up of 2000 series cars are known as μSky (ミュースカイ, myū sukai), a combination of "μTicket" which is Meitetsu's ticket for first class seats,[2] plus "sky" in reference to the airport. μSky trains can reach Central Japan International Airport Station from Meitetsu-Nagoya Station in 28 minutes with a maximum speed of 120km/h.[3]

While intended for rapid airport service, this train also serves other routes as a regular limited express train.

Formations

edit

The fleet of 12 four-car sets are formed as shown below, with one trailer (T) car and three motored (M) cars.[4] The Mo 2150 cars were added to the original 3-car sets in 2006.

Car No. 1 2 3 4
Designation Tc M M1 Mc
Numbering 2000 2050 2150 2100

Cars 3 and 4 are each equipped with one single-arm pantograph. Car 2 has a toilet.[4]

Each four-car set can carry up to 181 passengers.[3]

The maximum acceleration velocity is 2.3km/h/s and the common deceleration velocity is 3.5km/h/s with an emergency potential of 4.2km/h/s.[3]

Seats and facilities

edit

Seating is arranged 2+2 abreast throughout with a seat pitch of 1,000 mm (39 in).[1] Each car has four luggage spaces (Except a number of sets). Each seat has continuous large windows with UV-cut glass and roll-up curtains that can be operated individually by customers.[3]

History

edit

The trains entered service on 29 January 2005, initially formed as a fleet of 10 three-car sets.[5] From 29 April 2006, additional cars were added to the fleet to form 12 4-car sets to cope with demand.[5]

Awards

edit

In October 2005, the 2000 series was awarded the "Good Design" award.[5]

In June 2006, the train was one of the four recipients of the 46th Laurel Prize presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.[5][6] A presentation ceremony was held at Central Japan International Airport Station on 4 November 2006.[7]

Special liveries

edit
 
The wrapped trainset in February 2020

From 14 January 2020, 2000 series set 2007 was wrapped in a Neon Genesis Evangelion-inspired livery.[8]

 
"Blue μ Sky" in June 2024

From 29 June 2024, 2000 series set 2003 has been reverse-painted and operated as "Blue μ Sky".[9]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b 私鉄車両年鑑2012 [Japan Private Railways Annual 2012]. Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. February 2012. p. 199. ISBN 978-4-86320-549-9.
  2. ^ "Railway Ticket and First Class Car Ticket (μTicket)". Nagoya Railroad. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d "名鉄空港特急「ミュースカイ」 - 電車のご利用案内 | 名古屋鉄道". www.meitetsu.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 30 August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b 私鉄車両編成表 2011 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2011]. Japan: JRR. July 2011. p. 100. ISBN 978-4-330-22711-5.
  5. ^ a b c d 名鉄特急の歩み [Meitetsu Limited Express History] (in Japanese). Nagoya Railroad. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  6. ^ ブルーリボン賞・ローレル賞 選定車両一覧 [Blue Ribbon Award & Laurel Prize Winner List] (in Japanese). Japan: Japan Railfan Club. 29 May 2012. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  7. ^ 2006年鉄道友の会ローレル賞贈呈式開催 [2006 Japan Railfan Club Laurel Prize ceremonies held]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 47, no. 549. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. January 2007. p. 67.
  8. ^ "名鉄で「エヴァンゲリオン特別仕様ミュースカイ」運転". Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 14 January 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  9. ^ "~名鉄創業130周年記念企画~反転塗装ブルーミュースカイの運行開始あわせて「反転塗装ミュースカイお披露目の旅」を発売". PR TIMES (in Japanese). 23 May 2024.
edit