Choshi Electric Railway 700 series

The Choshi Electric Railway 700 series (銚子電鉄700形, Chōshi Dentetsu 700-gata) was an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Choshi Electric Railway in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, between 1978 and 2010. The two single cars were converted from former Ohmi Railway MoHa 50 EMU cars, which were built in 1942.[1]

Choshi Electric Railway 700 series
DeHa 701 at Nakanochō Depot, January 2010
In service1978–2010
ReplacedDeHa 201
Constructed1942
Number built2 vehicles
Number in serviceNone
Number preserved2 vehicles
FormationSingle car
Fleet numbersDeHa 701/702
Capacity110 (42 seated)
Operator(s)Choshi Electric Railway
Depot(s)Nakanochō
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length15,365 mm (50 ft 4.9 in)
Width2,743 mm (9 ft 0 in)
Height4,134 mm (13 ft 6.8 in)
Doors2 per side
Weight26.0 t
Traction systemSE-119C (52 kW x2)
Power output104 kW
Electric system(s)600 V DC overhead wire
Current collector(s)PS13 pantograph (x1)
BogiesSumitomo KS-33S
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Build details
No. Former No. Build date Withdrawal date
DeHa 701 MoHa 51 1942 September 2010
DeHa 702 MoHa 52 1942 January 2010

Source: [1]

Operation

The two DeHa 700 cars were not able to operate in multiple with other types on the railway, but were often used running together in multiple on rush-hour services.[2]

Interior

The trains had longitudinal seating, and were not air-conditioned, using ceiling-mounted fans. DeHa 701 was equipped with fare collection boxes at each end for wanman driver only operation.[1]

  • Wooden slat blinds in a 700 series car, May 2009
    Wooden slat blinds in a 700 series car, May 2009

History
Sumitomo KS-33 bogie on DeHa 701, January 2010
Lozenge-type pantograph on DeHa 702

Two 1942-vintage MoHa 50 EMU cars, MoHa 51 and MoHa 52, were purchased from Ohmi Railway, and were modified at Seibu Railway's workshops in Tokorozawa, Saitama in 1978, becoming DeHa 701 and DeHa 702 respectively. The MoHa 50 EMU cars themselves used the bogies and electrical equipment from former wooden-bodied DeYuWa 101 and 102 mail EMU cars built in March 1928 by Kawasaki Dockyard Co., Ltd.[2] The MoHa 50 cars were originally built as single-cars, but had one cab end removed in 1961. The second cab ends were reinstated on conversion for use on the Choshi Electric Railway.[1] The cars entered revenue service on the Choshi Electric Railway from 5 April 1978.[2]

In 1981, Prince Akishino rode on both DeHa 701 and DeHa 702 with friends on a trip from Choshi to Tokawa on 6 December 1981 while he was studying at Gakushuin University in Tokyo.[2]

In September 1990, both cars were repainted into the new standard livery of dark brown and red. DeHa 701 was repainted into a promotional yellow livery in June 1994, and "couple seats" were provided together with heart-shaped hanging straps in a tie-up with a TV Tokyo television programme.[2] It was modified for driver only operation in December 1994.[1]

On 24 June 1995, DeHa 701 was involved in a head-on collision north of Kasagami-Kurohae Station when it hit DeHa 1001 on an up (Chōshi-bound) service. Both cars sustained front-end damage. DeHa 701 was returned to service in April 1996 following repairs and repainting back into the new standard livery of dark brown and red.[1]

In November 2007, DeHa 702 was repainted into the 1950s livery of sky blue and pale grey. This car was not modified for driver only operation, and was thus limited to use as a second car to lengthen busier services or for tour groups.

  • DeHa 701 in original livery, April 1983
    DeHa 701 in original livery, April 1983
  • DeHa 701 in "new" Choshi Electric Railway livery, March 2010
    DeHa 701 in "new" Choshi Electric Railway livery, March 2010
  • DeHa 702 in 1950s livery, March 2008
    DeHa 702 in 1950s livery, March 2008
  • DeHa 702 in 1950s livery, March 2008
    DeHa 702 in 1950s livery, March 2008

Withdrawal and preservation

DeHa 702 was withdrawn from service in January 2010, and DeHa 701 was withdrawn after its final day of operation on 23 September 2010.[3]

In November 2011, the two cars were moved to the Isumi Poppo-no-oka farm shop in Isumi, Chiba,[4] where they were restored and repainted for use as shop facilities selling local produce and souvenirs, open to the public from 16 December 2011.[5]

  • DeHa 701 preserved in Isumi, Chiba, January 2012
    DeHa 701 preserved in Isumi, Chiba, January 2012
  • DeHa 702 preserved in Isumi, Chiba, January 2012
    DeHa 702 preserved in Isumi, Chiba, January 2012

References
  1. Satō, Toshio (December 2009). 銚子電鉄の電車たちを訪ねて [Visiting the trains of the Chōshi Electric Railway]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 49, no. 584. Japan: Kōyūsha Co., Ltd. pp. 92–96.
  2. Shirato, Sadao (July 2011). 銚子電気鉄道（下） [Choshi Electric Railway Volume Two]. Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. pp. 36–38. ISBN 978-4-7770-5310-0.
  3. 銚子電気鉄道デハ701・デハ801が引退 [Choshi Electric Railway DeHa701 & DeHa 801 Withdrawn]. RM News (in Japanese). Neko Publishing. 24 September 2010. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  4. レトロ車両：夜空去る列車 いすみの農場で余生－－銚子電鉄 [Retro Choshi Railway train cars leave at night to spend the rest of their lives on a farm in Isumi]. mainichi.jp (in Japanese). Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. 23 November 2011. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  5. 銚電レトロ車、店舗に 新たな目玉 [Choshi Railway retro train cars turned into shops]. mainichi.jp (in Japanese). Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
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