Monday 28 May 2018

De 9003: Black "CENTRAM" in Toyama City

Unit De 9003 of the electric car Toyama Chiho Railway 9000 series, CENTRAM

Tram routes in Japan were abolished one after another due to heavy traffic jams. They just stay in people's minds in many cities such as Yokohama, Nagoya and Sendai. We can't go against the current of time.

Please wait a moment! Toyama City still creates a tram network as the main urban public transportation system. Toyama is the main city of Toyama Prefecture, about 390 km northwest of Tokyo. This city is facing the Sea of Japan and suffers not from traffic jams, but depopulation and aging of society. Currently, the merit of tram systems is being recognized once again in Toyama City from the point of view of barrier-free and environmental protection.

Toyama has a total of 7.6 kms tram network in the urban area. The track is double, partly single. The gauge size is 1,067 mm. The electric system is 600 V DC overhead. CENTRAM is a must-ride streetcar in Toyama City. Its formal name is the electric car, Toyama Chiho Railway De 9000 series. This modern vehicle was launched in 2009 when the Circle Line was opened. It is included in the category of low floor type LRV (light rail vehicle). A total of three units were built by Niigata Transys. The body colors are white (Unit De 9001), silver (Unit De 9002) and black (Unit De 9003). I like the black-colored one best, as it is cool and sophisticated. 

The black CENTRAM is a symbol of the tram city.

Electric car 9000 series (left) and 7000 series (right)