The Seibu 5000 series is a Japanese limited express electric multiple unit operated by the Seibu Railway from October 1969 to December 1995.
History[]
The 5000 series was introduced as a new limited express train type that would operate at the same time the Seibu Chichibu Line opened. Operations commenced on 14 October 1969, with the sets deployed to Kotesashi Depot. Branded the Red Arrow, the 5000 series sets were deployed on such services like the Chichibu, Okuchichibu and Musashi and were used on the Shinjuku, Chichibu and Ikebukuro Lines; they were also employed on the non-scheduled MISATO TRAIN services used for ferrying passengers to and from concerts held by pop singer Misato Watanabe. The trains received the 1970 Blue Ribbon Award.
A total of six sets were produced from 1969 to 1978; of note is that 5501 to 5507 were manufactured by Hitachi, a deviation from Seibu tradition where most of their rolling stock was manufactured in-house at their Tokorozawa Works, with this being the first rolling stock type in which Seibu had outsourced to another company. The sets themselves were also designed by Hitachi. 5501 and 5507 were originally built as four-car sets, with eight additional "add-on" cars manufactured in 1974 by Tokorozawa Works and added to the sets from 1974 to 1976; during this time, some sets would run in a 6+4 car formation during peak hours. 5509 and 5511, the last two sets built, were manufactured as six-car sets from new and entirely at Tokorozawa. Compared to previous sets their classification scheme significantly deviated from the standard Seibu classification scheme, being in the x0 series instead of the x1 series classifications given to other sets (i.e. 101, 601, 701 etc.).
Refurbishments occurred between 1987 and 1988, such as the installation of new seats, LED door closing lights and public telephone booths; car 5007 of set 5507 would be fitted with tempered glass windows and red seat upholstery. Withdrawals commenced in 1994 with the introduction of the 10000 series sets in December the previous year, with the last operation of the 5000 series sets being for an unscheduled Chichibu service for the Chichibu Night Festival on 3 December 1995. Following withdrawal, three cars from sets 5501 and 5507 were transferred to the Toyama Chiho Railway.
Design[]
The 5000 series cars feature a streamlined shape with a heavily raked front. The driver's cab is mounted higher above the ground. In the front is a stainless steel etched decorative plate, with a three dimensional bronze Seibu Railway logomark mounted on the front.
Specifications[]
Construction is of lightweight steel. The train uses Hitachi resistor controlled traction systems; it uses the same traction systems and other mechanicals as the 101 series sets, the latest model of train in use at the time, to streamline maintenance. The train features a slightly wider body to improve passenger comfort.
Preservation[]
The following 5000 series cars have been preserved:
| Number | Manufacturer | Date manufactured | Date retired | Previous sets | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5503 | Hitachi | October 1969 | December 1995 | 5503 | Yokose Depot, Saitama, Japan | Last operational set; viewing possible on depot open days |
| 5504 | Cab only, last operational set; viewing possible on depot open days |
| Seibu rolling stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | Limited Express | 001 "Laview" • 10000 "New Red Arrow" | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commuter | New 101 • New 2000 • 4000 • 6000 • 9000 • 20000 • 30000 • 40000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sustainable Train | 8000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AGT | 8500 "Leo Liner" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Withdrawn | Limited Express | 5000 "Red Arrow" | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commuter (cardan shaft drive) | 101 • 301 • 401 (gen 2) • 601 • 701 • 2000 • 3000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commuter (nose suspension drive) | 311 • 351 • MoHa 351 • 371 • 401 (gen 1) • 411 • 451 • 501 • 551 • 571 • KuHa 1221 (gen 1) • 1411 • KuHa 1651 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diesel | KiHa 20 • KiHa 101 • KiHa 111 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baggage trains | MoNi 1 • Sa 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ex-Tamako Railway | KiHa 1 • MoHa 11 • MoHa 21 • JiHa 101 • MoHa 101 (gen 1) • MoHa 101 (gen 2) • KuHa 1201 (gen 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ex-Musashino Railway | DeHa 105 • MoHa 131 • MoHa 201 • MoHa 211 • MoHa 221 • MoHa 231 • MoHa 241 • MoHa 301 • KuHa 1201 (gen 1) • KuHaNi 1211 • KuHa 1231 • KuHa 1241 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ex-former Seibu Railway | ReKa 1 • KiHa 20 • KiHa 101 • MoHa 151 • MoHa 161 • KuHa 1151 • MoHa 221 • MoHa 251 • MoHa 1221 (gen 2) • KuHa 1251 • KiHaNi 6450 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Future | Sustainable Train | 7000 • Ex-Tokyu 9020 series | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| AGT | L00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proposed | AGT | 7000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||