Built in October 1981, this was the first stainless steel EMU type to be introduced by Tobu, and featured a bodyline stripe using the same "Royal maroon" colour as previously used on Tobu 1720 series "DRC" trains.[1] Set 9101 was built jointly by three manufacturers, with four cars (9101–9401) built by Tokyu Car Corporation, two cars (9501–9601) by Fuji Heavy Industries, and four cars (9701–9001) by Alna Koki (now Alna Sharyo).[2]
The seats on this set were originally brown, but this was later changed to the standard light green colour.[1]
It was withdrawn from service in July 2021, and was transported from Shinrin-koen to Kitatatebayashi on 16 and 17 October 2023, where it is expected to be scrapped.[3]
Formation
Designation
Tc1
M1
M2
T1
M1
M3
T2
M1
M4
Tc2
Numbering
9100
9200
9300
9400
9500
9600
9700
9800
9900
9000
The M1 cars are each fitted with one scissors type pantograph.[4]
Production sets 9102-9108
Sets 9102 to 9107 were built in 1987, incorporating a number of minor improvements over the prototype set. Seat width was increased from 425 mm to 450 mm.
An additional set, 9108, was built in 1991, based on the 10030 series lightweight body style.
Formation
Designation
Tc1
M1
M2
T1
M1
M3
T2
M1
M4
Tc2
Numbering
9100
9200
9300
9400
9500
9600
9700
9800
9900
9000
The M1 cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[4]
First refurbished set, 9102, June 2021
9050 series VVVF sets
Two 9050 series sets were introduced in December 1994, coinciding with the opening of the "Yurakucho New Line" (now part of the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line) between Kotakemukaihara and Ikebukuro.[5] These incorporated further design improvements and changes similar to the 20050 series trains, notably VVVF control, bolsterless bogies, 3-colour LED destination indicators, LCD interior passenger information displays, and brown seat moquette. The LCD passenger information displays were removed in 1999.
Formation
Designation
Tc3
M5
M6
T3
M7
M8
T4
M7
M9
Tc4
Numbering
9150
9250
9350
9450
9550
9650
9750
9850
9950
9050
The M5 and M7 cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[4]
Set 9151 before refurbishment, March 1998
Refurbished set 9152, October 2021
Refurbishment
From April 2007 to 2008, all of the 9000 and 9050 series sets except prototype set 9101 underwent refurbishment ahead of introduction on Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line inter-running services from June 2008. Refurbishment included totally new interiors and cabs based on the 50070 series design. Externally, single-arm pantographs were fitted, and the destination indicator blinds replaced with full-colour LED displays. Prototype set 9101 was not refurbished due to the different door spacing of this set, making it incompatible with the platform doors on the Fukutoshin Line.[6] This set is restricted to Tōbu Tōjō Line overground duties.
Interior
Interior view of a refurbished 9050 series set, September 2012
Future
On 30 April 2024, as part of its fiscal 2024 capital investment plan, Tobu Railway announced plans to replace the 9000 series with a new fleet of rolling stock.[7]
References
^ ab"２００６東武鉄道通勤車両カタログ" [2006 Tōbu Railway Commuter Rolling Stock Catalogue]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 35, no. 263. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. March 2006. pp. 27–30.
^Iijima, Iwao (July 2002). 私鉄の車両２４ 東武鉄道 [Private Railway Trains 24: Tobu Railway]. Tokyo, Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. pp. 32–33, 184. ISBN978-4-87366-307-4.
^Kamata, Akihiro (19 October 2023). 東武9000系9101編成が北館林へ [Tobu 9000 series 9101 formation moves to Kitatatebayashi]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
^ abc私鉄車両編成表 2010 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2010]. Japan: JRR. August 2010. p. 40. ISBN978-4-330-15310-0.
^"副都心線に乗り入れる車両大集合" [Roundup of rolling stock for Fukutoshin Line inter-running]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 37, no. 291. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. July 2008. pp. 40–42.
^"東武鉄道 50070系／9000系（地下鉄副都心線乗入れ対応車）" [Tobu Railway 50070 and 9000 series sets for Fukutoshin Line subway inter-running]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 36, no. 278. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. June 2007. p. 75.
^Kinoshita, Kenji (30 April 2024). 東武東上線に新型車両、9000系を代替更新 - 2024年度設備投資計画 [Tobu to replace Tojo Line 9000 series with new trains - FY2024 capital investment plan]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Retrieved 5 May 2024.
