Kita-Osaka Kyuko 8000 series

The Kita-Osaka Kyuko 8000 series (北大阪急行電鉄8000形), branded as Polestar, is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway on the Kitakyū Namboku Line in north Osaka since 1986, with through service to the Osaka Metro Midōsuji Line.

Kita-Osaka Kyuko 8000 series
Polestar
A refurbished 8000 series set, August 2013
In service1986–present
ManufacturerAlna Kōki
Replaced2000 series
Constructed1986–1993 (9-car sets),
1995–1996 (additional 10th cars)
Refurbished2012, 2014–2015, 2018–
Scrapped2014–
Number built70 vehicles (7 sets)
Number in service30 vehicles (3 sets)
Number preserved2 vehicles and 1 cab end
Number scrapped37 vehicles (4 sets)
Successor9000 series
Formation10 (originally 9) cars per trainset
Fleet numbers8001–8007
Capacity1,280 per set
OperatorsKita-Osaka Kyuko Railway
DepotsMomoyamadai Depot
Lines servedKitakyu Namboku Line, Midōsuji Line
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Width2,890 mm (9 ft 6 in)
Height3,745 mm (12 ft 3.4 in)
Doors4 pairs per side
Maximum speed70 km/h (43 mph)
Traction systemVariable-frequency (GTO)
Acceleration3.0 km/(h⋅s) (1.9 mph/s)
Deceleration
  • 3.5 km/(h⋅s) (2.2 mph/s) (service)
  • 4.5 km/(h⋅s) (2.8 mph/s) (emergency)
Electric system(s)750 V DC
Current collector(s)Third rail
Safety system(s)WS-ATC
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)

Design

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Rooftop AC condenser unit of Kitakyū 8000 series, April 2008

The 8000 series was introduced in 1986 to replace ageing rolling stock which were mostly derived from Osaka Municipal Subway rolling stock. It was also the first Kitakyū rolling stock type to feature air conditioning in the passenger interiors and driver cabs. It was also one of the three recipients of the 27th Laurel Prize of the Japan Railfan Club.[1]

Formation

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As of 1 April 2015, five out of the original seven 10-car sets were in service, formed as shown below, with five motored ("M") cars and five non-powered trailer ("T") cars, and car 1 at the Senri-Chuo end.[2]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Designation Tc1 M0 Te M1 M2' Te' T M1 M2 Tc2
Numbering 800x 810x 820x 830x 840x 850x 860x 870x 880x 890x

Each car includes a wheelchair space.[2]

History

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The first train, set 8001, was introduced on 1 July 1986.[1]

Withdrawals commenced in 2014, with 8002 in August 2014, and set 8004 in February 2015.[2] Set 8001 carried a special headboard from late February 2016 to mark its scheduled withdrawn in March 2016.[1]

Preserved examples

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References

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  1. ^ a b c 【北大阪急行】「8001 LAST RUN」 ヘッドマーク掲出 [Kita-Osaka Kyuko 8000 series carries "8001 Last Run" headboard]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  2. ^ a b c 私鉄車両編成表 2015 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2015] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 23 July 2015. pp. 156, 200. ISBN 978-4-330-58415-7.