The Tobu 300 series and 350 series (東武300系・350系, Tōbu 300/350-kei) were limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) train types operated by the private railway operator Tobu Railway in Japan from July 1991 until March 2022. Rebuilt from former 1800 series express sets, the trains were used on limited express and charter services on the Tobu Skytree Line and Tobu Nikko Line.[1]

Tobu 300 series
A 300 series set on a Kirifuri service in October 2007
In serviceJuly 1991 – March 2022
Constructed1990–1991
Scrapped2017–
Number built
  • 24 vehicles
    • 2 × 300 series (6-car)
    • 3 × 350 series (4-car)
Number in serviceNone
Number scrapped12 vehicles (2 sets)
SuccessorTobu 500 series
Formation4/6 cars per trainset
OperatorsTobu Railway
DepotsKasukabe
Lines servedTobu Skytree Line, Tobu Nikko Line, Tobu Utsunomiya Line
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length20 m (65 ft 7 in)
DoorsOne per side
Maximum speed110 km/h (68 mph)
Acceleration2.23 km/(h⋅s) (1.39 mph/s)
Deceleration3.7 km/(h⋅s) (2.3 mph/s) (service)
5.0 km/(h⋅s) (3.1 mph/s) (emergency)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC
Current collector(s)Overhead line
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Operations

edit

As of 21 April 2017, the fleet consisted of three four-car 350 series sets (sets 351 to 353).[2] The 350 series sets were normally used on Shimotsuke limited express services, while the 300 series was used on Kirifuri limited express services.[2]

Formations

edit

The six-car 300 series and four-car 350 series sets were formed as shown below.[2]

300 series sets 301 to 302

edit
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Designation Tc2 M3 M4 M1 M2 Tc1
Numbering 300-6 300-5 300-4 300-3 300-2 300-1

Car 2 was fitted with a scissors-type pantograph, and car 4 was fitted with two.[2]

350 series sets 351 to 353

edit
 
A 350 series set on a Kirifuri service in July 2008
Car No. 1 2 3 4
Designation Tc2 M1 M2 Tc1
Numbering 350-4 350-3 350-2 350-1

Car 2 was fitted with two scissors-type pantographs.[2]

Interior

edit

Passenger accommodation was monoclass with unidirectional rotating/reclining seats arranged with a seat pitch of 960 mm (38 in).[3]

History

edit

Two 300 series six-car sets were built in 1990 from former 1800 series express EMUs displaced by the arrival of new 200 series EMUs.[1] Three 350 series four-car sets were similarly rebuilt in 1991, with the trains entering service from the start of the revised timetable on 21 July 1991.[1] The 300 series six-car sets were withdrawn on 20 April 2017, following the introduction of the Tobu 500 series.[4] On 6 March 2022, the 350 series four-car sets were also withdrawn from service, alongside the discontinuation of Kirifuri limited express services.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c 2006東武鉄道優等車両カタログ [2006 Tobu Railway Express Rolling Stock Catalogue]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 35, no. 264. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. April 2006. pp. 25–26.
  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. 38. ISBN 978-4-330-81317-2.
  3. ^ 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. 164. ISBN 978-4-86320-549-9.
  4. ^ 東武鉄道300系が引退 [Tobu 300 series withdrawn from service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  5. ^ 東武350系,定期運用を終了 [Tobu 350 series ends regular operation]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
edit