The Seibu 20000 series (西武20000系) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Seibu Railway on commuter services in the Tokyo area of Japan. First introduced in 2000,[1] a total of eight 10-car sets and eight 8-car sets were built between 1999 and 2005 by Hitachi for use on Seibu Ikebukuro Line and Seibu Shinjuku Line services.

Seibu 20000 series
Blue train
10-car set 20108 on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line in October 2021
In service2000–present
ManufacturerHitachi
Built atKudamatsu, Yamaguchi
Family nameHitachi A-train
Constructed1999–2005
Entered service2000
Number built144 vehicles (16 sets)
Number in service144 vehicles (16 sets)
Formation8/10 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers
  • 20101–20108
  • 20151–20158
OperatorsSeibu Railway
DepotsKotesashi, Minami-Iriso, Musashigaoka, Tamagawa-Josui
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Car length20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Doors4 pairs per side
Maximum speed105 km/h (65 mph)
Traction systemVariable frequency (IGBT)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC
Current collector(s)overhead catenary
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Fleet

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As of 1 April 2017, the fleet consists of eight ten-car sets and eight eight-car (20050 series) sets, based at Kotesashi, Minami-Iriso, Musashigaoka, and Tamagawa-Josui depots for use on Seibu Shinjuku Line and Seibu Ikebukuro Line services.[2]

Formations

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8-car sets

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The eight-car sets (20151 to 20158) are formed as shown below with four motored (M) cars and four unpowered trailer (T) cars, and car 8 at the Shinjuku/Ikebukuro end.[2]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Designation Tc1 M1 M2 T1 T3 M5 M6 Tc2
Numbering 2015x 2025x 2035x 2045x 2075x 2085x 2095x 2005x

The M1 and M5 cars are each equipped with one single-arm pantograph.[2]

10-car sets

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The eight ten-car sets (20101 to 20108) are formed as shown below with five motored (M) cars and five unpowered trailer (T) cars, and car 10 at the Shinjuku/Ikebukuro end.[2]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Designation Tc1 M1 M2 T1 M3 T2 T3 M5 M6 Tc2
Numbering 2010x 2020x 2030x 2040x 2050x 2060x 2070x 2080x 2090x 2000x

The M1, M3, and M5 cars are each equipped with one single-arm pantograph.[2]

Interior

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Seating consists of sculpted longitudinal bench seating throughout, with an individual seat width of 460 mm (18 in) per person.[1] Wheelchair spaces are provided in the two outermost cars at each end.[2] Priority seats are provided at the end of each car.[2] Scrolling LED passenger information displays are provided above the doorways.[1]

History

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The first train was built in 1999, undergoing test running before entering revenue service in 2000.[1]

In August 2015, set 20101 was modified with full-colour LED destination indicators replacing the original three-colour LED type.[3]

Livery variations

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Galaxy Express 999

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From 8 October 2016, eight-car set 20158 operated in a special Galaxy Express 999 vinyl wrapping livery.[4] It is scheduled to operate in this livery until March 2019.[4][needs update]

L-train

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From 15 January 2018, two ten-car sets, 20104 and 20105, are scheduled to operate in a special "L-train" livery consisting of the Saitama Seibu Lions baseball team colour of dark blue with Seibu Lions logos.[5] From January 2022, the two sets' liveries were updated to depict 20 active players instead of the previous combination of veteran and current players. The sets re-entered service on the Shinjuku, Haijima, Ikebukuro, and Sayama lines from then.[6][7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d 私鉄車両年鑑2013 [Japan Private Railways Annual 2013] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. 20 March 2013. p. 204. ISBN 978-4-86320-693-9.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 私鉄車両編成表 2017 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2017] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 25 July 2017. pp. 49–51. ISBN 978-4-330-81317-2.
  3. ^ 西武20000系の行先表示がフルカラーLEDに [Seibu 20000 series destination indicator changed to full-colour LED type]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  4. ^ a b 西武鉄道で新「銀河鉄道999デザイン電車」の運転開始 [Seibu operates new "Galaxy Express 999 design train"]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 9 October 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  5. ^ 西武鉄道 三代目"L-train"が運行を開始 [Third-generation Seibu "L-trains" to run]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co. Ltd. 12 January 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  6. ^ "西武鉄道、三代目「L-train」デザイン一新 - 主力選手20人勢ぞろい" [Seibu Railway updates the design of the third-generation "L-train"]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  7. ^ "西武,三代目「L-Train」のデザインを一新|鉄道ニュース" [Seibu renews design of third-generation "L-train"]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Koyusha Co., Ltd. 6 January 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
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