Electric car Hakone Tozan 3100 series (2-car train) arrives at Miyanoshita station
I recently visited Hakone Tozan Railway for the first time in a year and a half. What was new with this dependable transporter that climbs up the resort mountain?
On May 15th, 2017, the company launched new electric cars, the 3100 series, on their Hakone Tozan line. It is a 2-car train composed of two motor cars. The 3100 series is a sister train of the previously debuted 3000 series, named "Allegra" ("Hello" in Rumantsch). What is the difference between the 3000 and the 3100 series? The 3000 series has two cabins per car; meanwhile, the 3100 series has single cabin per car. In other words, the 3000 series can be operated as a single-car train; meanwhile, the 3100 series must be operated as at least a 2-car train.
Except for the number of the cabins, the other specifications of the 3000 and the 3100 series are almost same. For instance, they have 14 meter-long bodies. They have a state of art regenerative brake system. The common greatest selling-point is their large windows, which provide the passengers with the beautiful scenery of Hakone Mountain.
So far, 4 cars of the 3000 and the 3100 series have been built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. A breakdown is two cars of the 3000 series and one set of the 3100 series. I saw plenty of inbound tourists boarding on the 3000 and the 3100 series. It seems popular among them.
Introducing the new models, Hakone Tozan Railway is at the new developing stage.
Electric car Hakone Tozan 3000 series (single-car train) + 3100 series (2-car train)
Official information about the electric car 3100 series (in Japanese):