The Odakyu 50000 series VSE (Vault Super Express) is an articulated Japanese limited express tilting electric multiple unit operated by the Odakyu Electric Railway from March 2005 to December 2023.
History[]
The 50000 series trains were introduced to replace the older 10000 series trains as well as to increase transportation capacities and restore the classic Romancecar appearance. Two sets were built by Nippon Sharyo, with Odakyu investing ¥3.5 billion (approx. USD 30.6 million in 2022 dollars) into the project. Set 50001 was transported onto the Odawara Line on 23 November 2004 with a tarp over the entire train; an unveiling ceremony took place on 29 November the same year, this being the first time the existence of the 50000 series trains had been revealed to the general public. 50002 was transported in February 2005. The name of the train, Vault Super Express, was chosen due to the style of its guest lounges.
Both sets entered service on 16 March 2005. The 50000 series sets, on entering service, immediately became Odakyu's flagship train and "image train", being used all the time for photo shoots and special events. After entering service the 50000 series trains were also the recipient of numerous awards from many different parties, such as being the recipient of the 2006 Blue Ribbon Award and the 2006 Asia Design Award. The 50000 series trains were used to supplement the 7000 and 10000 series trains taken out of service due to defects in 2010. Minor refurbishment works took place in 2011.
With the introduction of the 70000 series trains, Odakyu considered the refurbishment of their flagship trainsets. However, a number of problems emerged; as the sets were manufactured using a double-skinned aluminum alloy it was not easy to repair through the use of welding and advanced technology and infrastructure would be required to repair the sets, which Odakyu lacks. Additionally, the trains used many types of special equipment, including a pneumatic tilt control system, which would be difficult to procure spare parts for. As a result a decision was made to retire the 50000 series sets early without any major refurbishment works.
The 50000 series were withdrawn from regular service runs on 11 March 2022; they were used for special service runs after that date. 50002 was retired on 24 September 2023, while 50001 was retired on 10 December 2023. Both sets are currently stored at Kitami Depot.
Design[]
The 50000 series sets use a streamlined front end with bottom-mounted high-intensity discharge headlights in a trapezoid casing recessed in the body; the sets notably feature a significantly curvier design. The train was designed by industrial designer Noriaki Okabe. The 50000 series sets feature a raised driver's cab to allow passengers to have a panoramic view ahead; this cab is accessed from below via a ladder and step system.
Specifications[]
Construction is of a double-skinned aluminum alloy. The trains use IGBT drives manufactured by Toshiba; these produce a hissing noise.
The 50000 series sets are the first Romancecars to reintroduce the musical horn since about 1991. The melody of the horn remains the same but is much more regal and softer sounding; the musical horn is projected through speakers installed on the roofs of cars 3 and 8. All Romancecars manufactured after the 50000 series sets are equipped with the musical horn as standard.
| Odakyu rolling stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | Romancecars | 30000 "EXE/EXEα" • 60000 "MSE" • 70000 "GSE" | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commuter vehicles | 1000 • 2000 • 3000 (gen 2) • 4000 (gen 2) • 5000 (gen 2) • 8000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-revenue | KuYa 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Withdrawn | Limited Express | Romancecar: 3000 (gen 1) "SE/SSE" • 3100 "NSE" • 7000 "LSE" • 10000 "HiSE" • 20000 "RSE" • 50000 "VSE" Diesel: KiHa 5000 • KiHa 5100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| High-performance commuter vehicles | Medium-length body: 2200 • 2220 • 2300 • 2320 • 2400 "HE Car" Long body: 2600 "NHE Car" • 4000 (gen 1) • 5000 (gen 1) • 9000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commuter vehicles | Odawara Express Railway: 1 • 101 • 151 • 201 • 601 ABF cars: 1600 • 1700 • 1900 • 2100 Transferred to Odakyu: 51 • 1500 • 1800 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monorails | 500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||