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Based on the design of the earlier 8000 series,[1] the 8500 series was introduced as the sixth batch of the 8000 series fleet, featuring some differences over the preceding batches. Among these include a raised driver's cab position, automatic train control (ATC), and air conditioning.[2]
The Tokyu 8500 series first entered service in 1975, operating on Tokyu Toyoko Line services,[3] as well as Tokyu Shin-Tamagawa Line (between Shibuya and Futako-Tamagawaen stations) and Den-en-toshi Line services.[5] The 8500 series was a recipient of the 1976 Laurel Prize.[6] Early examples of the 8500 series were initially delivered as four-car sets; however, they were ultimately lengthened to ten-car sets.[5] A total of 400 vehicles were built by 1991.[7][5]
When the Teito Rapid Transit Authority (TRTA) Hanzomon Line opened in 1978, Tokyu leased three 6-car 8500 series trains to the agency for approximately a decade, as they did not yet possess their own trains for the line.[8]
Following the introduction of newer Tokyu 5000 series trainsets in 2002, the 8500 series fleet was gradually withdrawn from Den-en-toshi Line services.[9] Coinciding with the opening of the Hanzomon Line extension from Suitengumae Station to Oshiage Station on 19 March 2003,[10] some sets saw use on Tobu Line inter-running services via the Hanzomon Line, operating as far as Kuki on the Tobu Isesaki Line and as far as Minami-Kurihashi on the Tobu Nikko Line.[3][4]
To allow for an increase in rolling stock for then-upcoming Tokyu Toyoko Line and Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line inter-running services, Tokyu suspended 8500 series withdrawals in 2009.[3] However, withdrawals resumed following the introduction of newer 2020 series trainsets in 2018.[11] On 5 April 2022, Tokyu announced that the 8500 series would end regular service in January 2023.[5] The two remaining sets at the time of the announcement, sets 8631 and 8637, were withdrawn on 25 May 2022[11] and 25 January 2023,[12] respectively.
Preservation
In August 2024, Tokyu announced that it would shorten 8500 series set 8637 to a four-car formation and preserve it to working order.[13] The set will be used as an excursion train on the Oimachi Line, the Den-en-toshi Line (between Futako-Tamagawa and Nagatsuta), and the Kodomonokuni Line. It is scheduled to enter service in the final quarter of 2024.[14]
Formations
Den-en-toshi Line 10-car sets
Den-en-toshi Line 10-car sets, based at Nagatsuta Depot, were formed as shown below with eight motored ("M") cars and two non-powered trailer ("T") cars, and car 1 at the Shibuya end.[4]
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Designation
M2c
M1
T
M2
M1
M2
M1
T
M2
M1c
Numbering
DeHa 8600
DeHa 8700
SaHa 8900
DeHa 8800
DeHa 8700
DeHa 8800
DeHa 8700
SaHa 8900
DeHa 8800
DeHa 8500
Cars 2, 5, 7, and 10 were each fitted with one lozenge-type pantograph.[4]
Car 2 was designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.[4]
Den-en-toshi Line sets 8601 to 8614 were marked with "K" stickers on the center front window of the driving cab ends, and they were restricted to operating on Den-en-toshi Line and Tokyo Metro Hanzōmon Line only, due to lack of Tobu ATS on these sets. After the opening of the Hanzōmon Line extension from Suitengūmae Station to Oshiage Station, sets 8601, 8602, 8613, and 8614 were fitted with Tobu ATS, allowing them to operate on Tobu Skytree Line, Tobu Isesaki Line and Tobu Nikko Line (and had their "K" stickers removed), while sets 8603 to 8612 were retained without Tobu ATS until their retirement from duties on the Den-en-toshi Line.
All trains with "K" stickers have had their ATS system installed or withdrawn from service. The last train with the K sticker, set 8606, was retired in May 2020.[citation needed]
Oimachi Line 5-car sets
Oimachi Line five-car sets, based at Nagatsuta Depot, were formed as shown below with four motored ("M") cars and one non-powered trailer ("T") car, and car 1 at the Oimachi end.[4] These sets were withdrawn from service by April 2019.[3]
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
Designation
M2c
M1
T
M2
M1c
Numbering
DeHa 8600
DeHa 8700
SaHa 8900
DeHa 8800
DeHa 8500
Cars 2 and 5 were each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[4]
Car 2 was designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.[4]
Interior
Early style interior of a Den-en-toshi Line set, February 2007
Refurbished interior of a Den-en-toshi Line set, February 2007
Late style interior of a Den-en-toshi Line set
LED passenger information display
Livery variations
Blue stripe livery, June 2007
Blue stripe "Bunkamura" livery, October 2021
Izu no Natsu Izu Kyuko style livery, August 2012
"TOQ-BOX" livery, June 2007
Resale
A number of 8500 series trains have been resold to other operators in Japan and overseas following their withdrawal from Tokyu services.
Nagano Electric Railway
Six 3-car sets were sold to the Nagano Electric Railway between 2005 and 2009. These retain the "8500 series" classification.[1]
Formation
DeHa 8500 (M1c)
SaHa 8550 (T)
DeHa 8510 (M2c)
Izukyu Corporation
One 8500 series car (DeHa 8723) was sold to Izukyu Corporation in 2006, becoming KuMoHa 8152, and combined with former Tokyu 8000 series cars. It includes transverse seating acquired from Seibu 10000 series trains during refurbishment.[1]
Two 3-car 7000 series sets were formed from cars of set 8609, entering service on the Chichibu Railway in 2009.[1]
Indonesia
Eight 8-car sets (8604, 8607*, 8608*, 8610, 8611*, 8612*, 8613*, and 8618) were sold to KRL Jabodetabek in Indonesia between 2006 and 2009 for use on commuter services in the Jakarta area.[1][15] The sets initially received different color schemes, but were later standardized with the same KA Commuter Jabodetabek red and yellow livery.[16] Set 8618 is the first to be repainted in KAI Commuter paint scheme in February 2021.[17] Set 8612 was retired due to an accident in 2019.[18]
Former Tokyu 8500 series EMU set 8610 on an afternoon commuter service in Indonesia, June 2023
Former Tokyu 8500 series EMU set 8613 on a KRL Jabotabek commuter service in Jakarta, November 2011
Former Tokyu 8500 series EMU set 8618 with the new KAI Commuter livery, May 2022
Tokyu 8500 set 8618F departed from Depok station, Indonesia
References
^ abcde"東急8500系と田園都市線のあゆみ" [Tokyu 8500 series and the History of the Denentoshi Line]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō. 38 (301): 12–21. May 2009.
^ 東急・地下乗り入れ用 8500形 [Tokyu 8500 series for underground interoperation]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 15, no. 169. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. May 1975. pp. 72–75.
^ abcdef「ゴオォォ…」も記憶の中に 東急8500系半世紀の歴史に幕 なぜここまで田園都市線のヌシに? ["Go-o-o..." The legacy of the half-century-old Tokyu 8500 series, why is it so prominent on the Den-en-toshi Line?]. Traffic News (in Japanese). Mediavague Co., Ltd. 28 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
^ abcdefghij私鉄車両編成表 2014 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2014]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 24 July 2014. pp. 61–64. ISBN978-4-330-48414-3.
^"東急電鉄8500系、1月に定期運行終了「ありがとうハチゴー」4/6から" [Tokyu to end 8500 series operation in January 2023, "Thank you Hachigo" headmark from 6 April]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
^私鉄車両年鑑2013 [Japan Private Railways Annual 2013]. Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. 20 March 2013. p. 182. ISBN978-4-86320-693-9.
^Sugiyama, Junichi (7 April 2018). "鉄道トリビア(450) 東急電鉄8500系、営団地下鉄に貸し出されたことがある" [Railway Trivia #450 - Tokyu leased 8500 series trains to Eidan Subway]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
^"東急8500系,定期運行を2023年1月に終了" [Tokyu 8500 series scheduled to end operation in January 2023]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
^ これであなたもプロ鉄道カメラマン [Now you too can be a professional railway photographer!]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 43, no. 507. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2003. p. 180.
^ ab赤い帯のハチゴー、想い出の彼方へ 東急8500系8631編成の引退に寄せて [The retirement of the red-belted Tokyu 8500 series set 8631]. Tetsudo.com (in Japanese). Japan: Asahi Interactive. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
^約48年の活躍、終焉 東急8500系、ついに引退 [After almost 48 years of service, the Tokyu 8500 series is finally retired]. Tetsudo.com (in Japanese). Japan: Asahi Interactive. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
^東急,8500系8637編成を4両編成化して動態保存へ [Tokyu to convert 8500 series set 8637 to 4-car formation and preserve it]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
^【4両編成で】東急8500系まさかの復活!臨時列車用として 2024年秋頃より [(4-car set) Tokyu 8500 series makes a surprise comeback! For special trains from autumn 2024]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
^"インドネシアで活躍する日本の電車2009 (Japanese EMUs active in Indonesia 2009)". The Railway Pictorial. 59 (824): 102–107. October 2009.