Thank you for visiting Tokyo Railway Labyrinth. This is the 1,500th post in my blog. I hope rail-fans all over the world continue to enjoy my blog. In commemoration of the 1,500th post, I'm going to show you a train with the number 1500 in the name.
The EMU Keikyu 1500 series is a direct current commuter train being operated on the Keikyu lines. It's the oldest active model of the Keikyu trains. 166 cars in total were built by Tokyu Sharyo and Kawasaki Heavy Industries from 1985 to 1993. Regarding the technical specifications, there were three variations when they were built... 1) steel bodies with a field chopper electric control system, 2) aluminum-alloy bodies with a field chopper electric control system and 3) aluminum-alloy bodies with a VVVF (variable-frequency drive) electric control system. Currently, 146 cars of these are still operated on the lines. The field chopper electric control system has been changed to the VVVF (variable-frequency drive) system for most cars.
The 1500 series is mainly operated on the local lines. I sometimes use it on the Daishi line to visit Kawasaki Daishi, a large Buddhist temple located near Kawasaki-Daishi station. This old temple was opened in 1182 by Hirama Kanenori. We can see devout Buddhists, local people and tourists there. Kuzumochi, a cake made of arrowroot starch sold in front of the temple's gate, is definitely my favorite.
I hope the 1500 series will be operated as long as possible for my visit to Kawasaki Daishi.
