Toden 700 series

Toden 700 series
703 in the 1960s
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Kinami Sharyō
Type of locomotive	Light rail vehicle
Constructed	1942
Number built	20 cars
Dimensions	10,500 mm × 2,400 mm × 3,400 mm
Gauge	4 ft 6 in (1,372 mm)
Power supply	600 V DC
Electric system(s)	Bow collector
Traction system	Resistor control
Traction system model	Mitsubishi KR-8
Service information
In service	1942 – 1966
Formation	Single car
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	701 – 720
Scrapped	1945, 1965 – 1966
Preservation information
Preserved	None
Number scrapped	20 cars

The Toden 700 series was a Japanese streetcar type operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei) on the Tokyo Toden network from 1942 to 1966.

History

The 700 series was a series of streetcars manufactured for the Tokyo Toden network; the cars were introduced in 1942 during World War II, with a total of 20 cars produced, numbered 701 to 720, all by Kinami Sharyō, a small manufacturer of rolling stock based in Osaka known for their well-designed rolling stock. Due to being manufactured during World War II the cars were made of cheaper materials than usual. When initially in service, ten cars were stationed at Hiroo Depot and ten were stationed at Meguro Depot.

Eight cars were destroyed during World War II; three of the eight cars were restored and all the cars were renumbered accordingly from 701 to 715. Following World War II the remaining fifteen cars were relocated to Mita Depot where they were used mainly on Route 3 alongside the 6000 and 7000 series cars. Due to their lightweight bodies made of cheaper materials the cars quickly showed signs of aging and all were withdrawn by 1966.

No 700 series cars have been preserved.

Design

The 700 series cars had a "semi-streamlined" body style with a sloped front.

Specifications

Construction was of steel. Electrical systems for the streetcars were manufactured by Mitsubishi.

Preservation

The following 700 series cars were preserved in the past but have since been scrapped:

Number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired	Last location	Notes
702	Kinami Sharyō	1942	1966	Chiba, Japan	Preserved in private housing complexes and playgrounds; removed and scrapped c.1970s
704
705
706
707
712
713
714
709				Yamate Gakuin Junior and Senior High School, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan	Used as warehouses and other facilities; scrapped at unknown date
710
711
715