Nankai 50000 series
The Nankai 50000 series (南海50000系) is a limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated in Japan by the private railway operator Nankai Electric Railway. These 6-car trains were introduced in 1994 on the new Rapi:t limited express service on the Nankai Airport Line serving Kansai International Airport, which opened on 4 September 1994.
| Nankai 50000 series | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In service | 1994–present |
| Manufacturer | Tokyu Car Corporation |
| Designer | Hiroyuki Wakabayashi |
| Constructed | 1994 |
| Entered service | 4 September 1994 |
| Refurbished | 2014–2018 |
| Number built | 36 vehicles (6 sets) |
| Number in service | 36 vehicles (6 sets) |
| Formation | 6 cars per trainset |
| Fleet numbers | 50001–50006 |
| Capacity | 252 |
| Operator(s) | Nankai Electric Railway |
| Depot(s) | Suminoe, Chiyoda |
| Line(s) served | |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Steel |
| Train length | 125.6 m (412 ft 1 in) |
| Width | 2.85 m (9 ft 4 in) |
| Height | 4.14 m (13 ft 7 in) |
| Doors | Plug doors: 1 per car |
| Maximum speed | 110 km/h (68 mph) (Nankai Line) 120 km/h (75 mph) (Airport Line) |
| Weight | 219 t (216 long tons; 241 short tons) |
| Traction system | Original: GTO-VVVF Current: IGBT-VVVF |
| Traction motors | 4 × 180 kW (241 hp) 3-phase AC squirrel-cage induction motor |
| Power output | 2.16 MW (2,897 hp) |
| Acceleration | 0.69 m/s2 (1.5 mph/s) |
| Deceleration | 1.0 m/s2 (2.2 mph/s) (service) 1.1 m/s2 (2.5 mph/s) (emergency) |
| Electric system(s) | 1,500 V DC overhead lines |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| Bogies | Bolsterless SS-137/SS-037 |
| Braking system(s) | Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes |
| Safety system(s) | ATS |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Notes/references | |
 | |
Operations
The 50000 series is used on the Airport Line Rapi:t limited express services. The trains run between Namba and Chiyoda Depot, and have also been used occasionally on special-event services to Wakayamashi and Misakikoen. Since November 2022, the type has also been used on Semboku Liner limited express services on the Semboku Rapid Railway Line.[1]
Design
The external styling of the train was the work of Hiroyuki Wakabayashi, an architect who was also responsible for designing Uji Station on the Keihan Uji Line. The design theme was "Outdated Future", and is the reason for the train's futuristic and retro styling. The end cars feature streamlined cabs with no gangway connections. The cars are painted an all-over metallic deep navy blue colour. The side windows are elliptical in shape, giving an aircraft-like appearance.
Formation
As of 1 April 2013, the fleet consists of six 6-car sets with three motored ("M") cars and three non-powered trailer ("T") cars formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Wakayama end.[2]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Tc2 | M3 | T1 | M2 | M1 | Tc1 |
| Numbering | 50700 | 50200 | 50600 | 50100 | 50000 | 50500 |
- Cars 2 and 5 are each fitted with two cross-arm type pantographs.[2]
- Cars 5 and 6 have "Super Seat" accommodation.[2]
- Cars 3 and 5 have toilets.[2]
Interior
All seats in standard and super-seat cars (Nos. 5 and 6) are reserved and no smoking. Cars 3 and 5 feature a service counter and vending machines.
Standard class interior
"Super Seat" interior
Livery variations
Mobile Suit Gundam UC × Limited Express Rapi:t Neo Zeon Version (April - June 2014)
One trainset was repainted in an all-over red livery in a tie-up coinciding with the release of Episode 7 of the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn series and to mark the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Nankai Airport Line. The repainted set returned to service on 26 April 2014 and ran until 30 June.[3]
The red-liveried Gundam set, May 2014
Interior of the Gundam set, May 2014
Peach × Rapi:t Happy Liner (September 2014 - August 2015)
From 7 September 2014, one 50000 series set was reliveried in a special "Peach × Rapi:t Happy Liner" livery as part of a promotional tie-up with the low-cost airline Peach Aviation.[4] The reliveried trainset was scheduled to operate until 31 August 2015.[4]
The Peach × Rapi:t Happy Liner set in October 2014
Star Wars: The Force Awakens livery (November 2015 - May 2016)
From 21 November 2015, a 50000 series set was reliveried in a special Star Wars: The Force Awakens black livery to mark the nationwide release of the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens in December.[5] The reliveried trainset was scheduled to operate until 8 May 2016.[5]
The Star Wars: The Force Awakens liveried set in March 2016
References
- "南海50000系による"泉北ライナー"運転開始" [Nankai 50000 series begins operation on "Semboku Liner"]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
- 私鉄車両編成表 2013 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2013]. Japan: JRR. 30 July 2013. p. 152. ISBN 978-4-330-39313-1.
- "Mobile Suit Gundam × Limited Express Rapi:t "Second Coming of Red Comet Limited Express Rapi:t Neo Zeon Version"". News release. Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- "「Peach×ラピート ハッピーライナー」運転開始" ["Peach × Rapi:t Happy Liner" enters service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- 南海電鉄特急ラピートが『スター・ウォーズ』仕様に！ [Nankai Electric Railway Rapi:t limited express to be finished in Star Wars livery!]. Livedoor News (in Japanese). Japan: Line Corporation. 21 October 2015. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
