What is your impression of the Tobu-Noda Line? Perhaps, nine out of ten Tokyoites will answer that it is a dowdy local line, but this is no longer correct. On June 15th, 2013, Tobu Railway launched a brand new train EMU 60000 series on the Noda Line.
Tobu is the largest private railway company in the Tokyo metropolitan area. They operate 463km of track, and the routes extend from Tokyo to four northern surrounding prefectures; Saitama, Chiba, Tochigi, and Gunma. The Noda line, which is a part of their network, is a circular route in the eastern half of the Tokyo metropolitan area, connecting Omiya and Funabashi. The major fleet on the route had been an old EMU 8000 series, which was launched in 1963.
The EMU 60000 series repaired a bad reputation of the Noda Line. It has a futuristic lightweight aluminum body. Many state-of-the-art technologies, such as IGBT-VVVF control system with a speed sensorless control device, are equipped. LED lights, which reduce the electric consumption, are equipped in all cars. I like its comfortable interior design such as glass gangway connection doors to brighten the interior of the train.
Apart from the introduction of new trains, Tobu Railway is currently very aggressive in diversifying their business as well. Their latest biggest news was the grand opening of the Tokyo Sky Tree, the 634 meter-high world's tallest broadcasting tower near Oshiage Station. At the same time, Tobu has also renovated Asakusa Station building in the northeastern part of downtown Tokyo.
Tobu is the largest private railway company in the Tokyo metropolitan area. They operate 463km of track, and the routes extend from Tokyo to four northern surrounding prefectures; Saitama, Chiba, Tochigi, and Gunma. The Noda line, which is a part of their network, is a circular route in the eastern half of the Tokyo metropolitan area, connecting Omiya and Funabashi. The major fleet on the route had been an old EMU 8000 series, which was launched in 1963.
The EMU 60000 series repaired a bad reputation of the Noda Line. It has a futuristic lightweight aluminum body. Many state-of-the-art technologies, such as IGBT-VVVF control system with a speed sensorless control device, are equipped. LED lights, which reduce the electric consumption, are equipped in all cars. I like its comfortable interior design such as glass gangway connection doors to brighten the interior of the train.
Apart from the introduction of new trains, Tobu Railway is currently very aggressive in diversifying their business as well. Their latest biggest news was the grand opening of the Tokyo Sky Tree, the 634 meter-high world's tallest broadcasting tower near Oshiage Station. At the same time, Tobu has also renovated Asakusa Station building in the northeastern part of downtown Tokyo.
More information about the EMU Tobu 60000 series (in Japanese):
More information about the Tobu EMUs (in Japanese):
http://www.tobu.co.jp/corporation/rail/vehicles/