It has been a long time since I was brought up the topic of Tokyo Metro. I am going to show you something new about the subway in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
I recently took the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, as something came up. When I got on the train, the EMU 9000 series, I found that my vehicle had been renovated. The 9000 series was launched in 1991, when the Namboku Line was opened.
The Namboku Line was partially opened in 1991 as the eleventh subway route in Tokyo. The entire route was then opened in 2000. Penetrating from south to north, the Namboku Line connects Meguro and Akabane-Iwabuchi with a total length of 21.3 km. The track is double and the gauge size is 1,067 mm. Its electric system is 1,500 V DC overhead. The trains are directly operated onto the Tokyu-Meguro and Saitama Railway lines. The section between Shirokane-Takanawa and Meguro is shared with the Toei (Tokyo Metropolitan Government) Mita Line.
What was new with the 9000 series? Firstly, the design of the stripe on the outer body has been changed from a straight to a wavy one. Secondly, the electric control system has been changed to the latest one with full-SIC inverters. SIVs have also been replaced by new ones, which are operated cooperatively. Thirdly, the interior has also been changed. For instance, informative double VCD monitors have been equipped above the passenger doors.
The first renovated set, namely 9105F, was launched on August 15th.
Official information about the renewal of the EMU Tokyo Metro 9000 series (in Japanese):