I recently visited Hachioji Science Dome in the western suburb of Tokyo Metropolis. It's a science museum for local children. Along with many interesting exhibits, visitors can observe an old electric car in front of the museum. That's unit 652 of the EMU ex-Eidan 500 series. Before introducing this precious car, I must explain about "Eidan". Eidan, also known as Teito Rapid Transit Authority, used to be a subway operator in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It was privatized in 2004, and taken over by newly established Tokyo Metro Company. Eidan owned many trains, but most of them had already been retired from the track.
Unit 652 of the EMU 500 series is one such electric car. It was built in 1960 by Nippon Sharyo. After travelling 3.1 million kilometers on the subway Marunouchi line, it was retired from the track in 1992. Unit 652 currently spends its second life as a precious study material for children. You may think that the 500 series is similar with the 300 series, which was exhibited in the Subway Museum. Yes, but the details are different. For example, the 300 series has both sides driver's cab; while, the 500 series has one side driver's cab. The 300 series is a double roof car; while; the 500 series is a single roof car, so you can see many ventilation ducts at the upper part of the side body of the 500 series.
It's fun to observe a train. I hope that children also enjoy it.
