Unit 2001 of the EMU Fujikyu 2000 series (a front view)
Fujikyu maintains a strong corporate business. The trains are always crowded with foreign sightseers. In accordance with this situation, Fujikyu has been introducing new trains one after another. On the other hand, the old models had been retired and scrapped. The EMU 2000 series was no exception. It was retired from the track in 2016, and unit KuRo 2001 is only preserved and exhibited at the Shimoyoshida rail yard.
The EMU Fujikyu 2000 series was originally built as a standard express train, the EMU 165 series, for the Japanese National Railways (JNR) in the 1960's. After about twenty years, it was modified to JNR's sightseeing train named Panorama Express Alps in 1987. Panorama Express Alps was a unique train, as the cockpit was upstairs. It means that the passengers could enjoy a view through the front window.
Panorama Express Alps was then sold to Fujikyu in 2001. After the renovation, Fujikyu launched it under the name of the EMU 2000 series, Fuji-san Express, in 2002. There were two sets of the 2000 series on the Fujikyu line... set number 2001 and 2002. One set was composed of 3 cars (2M1T). Each set had two kinds of front cars. One was the observation car whose cockpit was upstairs, and the other was the standard type front car. The technical specification of the 2000 series was rather old, as it was originally built in the 1960's, for example it had an old rheostatic electric control system with DC motors.
The EMU Fujikyu 2000 series was originally built as a standard express train, the EMU 165 series, for the Japanese National Railways (JNR) in the 1960's. After about twenty years, it was modified to JNR's sightseeing train named Panorama Express Alps in 1987. Panorama Express Alps was a unique train, as the cockpit was upstairs. It means that the passengers could enjoy a view through the front window.
Panorama Express Alps was then sold to Fujikyu in 2001. After the renovation, Fujikyu launched it under the name of the EMU 2000 series, Fuji-san Express, in 2002. There were two sets of the 2000 series on the Fujikyu line... set number 2001 and 2002. One set was composed of 3 cars (2M1T). Each set had two kinds of front cars. One was the observation car whose cockpit was upstairs, and the other was the standard type front car. The technical specification of the 2000 series was rather old, as it was originally built in the 1960's, for example it had an old rheostatic electric control system with DC motors.
Unit 2001 of the EMU Fujikyu 2000 series (gable side)