Wednesday 13 May 2020

EMU Tobu 9000 Series: "Bimyo" Face Train

9104F of the EMU Tobu 9000 series travels on the Tojo line

I have already uploaded nearly 1,300 posts in this blog over a 9-year period. I thought that all the existing train models in the Tokyo metropolitan area had already been introduced to you here, but it was not true. I recently found that I haven't shown you some more models yet. The introduction of trains in the Tokyo metropolitan area is almost endless.

The EMU Tobu 9000 series is a Tojo line commuter train directly operated onto the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho and Fukutoshin lines. The first set (9101F) was launched in 1981. A total of 10 sets, 100 units were built until 1994 by Tokyu-sharyo, Alna-koki and Fuji Heavy Industries. The 9000 series is Tobu's first stainless-steel body train. Although only 10 sets were built, it has a lot of variations. For example, the early 7 sets have corrugations on the side bodies; meanwhile, the late 3 sets have flat bead-press stainless-steel bodies. The first 8 sets have an armature chopper electric control system; meanwhile, the late 2 sets have a VVVF inverter (variable frequency drive) electric control system. Trainspotters like me are happy to perceive this kind of fine difference among the trains.

Incidentally, do you like the face design of the 9000 series? I should say "bimyo" in Japanese. The original meaning of bimyo is delicate or subtle, but in slang, bimyo means "I don't really like it" or "It doesn't look so good". Japanese tend to leave things vague. For better or for worse, it's our culture.

9104F of the EMU Tobu 9000 series leaves Narimasu station on the Tojo line

Official information about vehicles on the Tobu lines (in Japanese) :