EMU Odakyu 30000 series, EXE-alpha, passes through Chitose-Funabashi station
EXE, the EMU 30000 series, is the first multipurpose Romance Car on the Odakyu line. EXE stands for "Excellent Express". It was commissioned in 1996 to replace the old model, the 3100 series. Since one set of the train is composed of ten twenty-meter cars (a total length of 200 meters), it has a greatly increased passenger capacity. One set can be broken up into six and four car sections to enhance operational flexibility as a multipurpose Romance Car. Different from the other traditional Romance Car models, such as the 50000 series and the 70000 series, the 30000 series (EXE) doesn't have an upstairs cockpit.
After 21 years of its operation, the 30000 series, EXE, has been renovated, and reborn as EXE-alpha. On March 1st, 2017, Odakyu launched the first EXE-alpha, set numbers 30251 (6-car train) and 30051 (4-car train) on their tracks. Currently, 6 of 14 sets are EXE-alpha.
Where are those different? Firstly, the body color was changed from bronze to silver. Some rail-fans may favor it, as a silver medal is superior to a bronze medal. Secondly, the interior was upgraded. For instance, luggage space was equipped in some cars. It is good news for inbound foreign passengers. Thirdly, the travelling apparatus was changed. For example, the electric control system was replaced from IGBT-VVVF (insulated gate bipolar transistor-variable frequency drive) to SiC-VVVF (silicon carbide-variable frequency drive) inverter system to reduce the electric power consumption.
After 21 years of its operation, the 30000 series, EXE, has been renovated, and reborn as EXE-alpha. On March 1st, 2017, Odakyu launched the first EXE-alpha, set numbers 30251 (6-car train) and 30051 (4-car train) on their tracks. Currently, 6 of 14 sets are EXE-alpha.
Where are those different? Firstly, the body color was changed from bronze to silver. Some rail-fans may favor it, as a silver medal is superior to a bronze medal. Secondly, the interior was upgraded. For instance, luggage space was equipped in some cars. It is good news for inbound foreign passengers. Thirdly, the travelling apparatus was changed. For example, the electric control system was replaced from IGBT-VVVF (insulated gate bipolar transistor-variable frequency drive) to SiC-VVVF (silicon carbide-variable frequency drive) inverter system to reduce the electric power consumption.
EMU Odakyu 30000 series, EXE-alpha, travels on the Odawara line
Official movie about the EMU Odakyu 30000 series, EXE-alpha:
Official information about Odakyu Romance Car:
Official information about the line up of Odakyu Romance Car (in Japanese):