Keisei 3500 series

The Keisei 3500 series (京成3500形) is a commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Keisei Electric Railway in the Tokyo area of Japan since 1972.[2]

Keisei 3500 series
Refurbished 3500 series six-car set 3525 in September 2020
Manufacturer	Nippon Sharyo, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Tokyu Car Corporation
Constructed	1972–1982
Entered service	1972
Refurbished	1996–2001
Number built	96 vehicles (24 sets)
Number in service	56 vehicles (13 sets)
Number scrapped	40 vehicles
Formation	8/6/4 cars per set
Operator(s)	Keisei Electric Railway
Line(s) served	Keisei Main Line, Toei Asakusa Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Doors	3 pairs per side
Maximum speed	110 km/h (70 mph)
Traction system	Resistor control
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Current collection method	Single-arm pantograph[1]
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in)

Operations

The 3500 series sets operate on the Keisei Main Line.[2] The eight-car sets were also used on Toei Asakusa Line and Keikyu line inter-running services until they were split into individual four-car sets in 2014, although the unrefurbished sets were not capable of operating on Keikyu lines.[2]

Formations

Originally built as 24 four-car sets, the fleet was subsequently reformed into eight-, six-, and four-car sets.[2]

As of 1 April 2016, the fleet consists of 56 vehicles formed as four six-car sets and nine four-car sets.[1]

6-car sets

A six-car set in October 2010

The six-car sets are formed as shown below. All cars are motored.[1]

Designation	M2	M1'		M2	M1'	M1'	M2

Designation	M2	M1'	M1'	M2		M1'	M2

The M1' cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[1]

4-car sets

The four-car sets are formed as shown below. All cars are motored.[1]

Designation	M2	M1'	M1'	M2

The M1' cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[1]

8-car sets

Four eight-car sets were formed as shown below. All cars were motored.[3]

Designation	M2	M1'	M1'	M2		M2	M1'	M1'	M2

The M1' cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[3]

Interior

The interior of a refurbished set in August 2009

Seating consists of longitudinal bench seating throughout.[2]

History

Major refurbishment of the fleet commenced in 1996, with a total of 56 vehicles refurbished by 2001.[2] Refurbishment involved redesigned front ends with square lights instead of round and upgraded interiors.[4]

Special farewell tours were staged for the last remaining unrefurbished 3500 series set, 3585, on 25 and 26 February 2017.[5]

• 
  Four-car set 3537 in December 1984
• 
  Unrefurbished 3500 series four-car set 3585 in June 2009
• 
  The last unrefurbished 3500 series set, 3588, on a special farewell run in February 2017

References

1. 私鉄車両編成表 2016 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2016] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 25 July 2016. p. 29. ISBN 978-4-330-70116-5.
2. 私鉄車両年鑑2015 [Japan Private Railways Annual 2015] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. 20 June 2015. p. 132. ISBN 978-4-8022-0003-5.
3. 私鉄車両編成表 2012 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2012] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. July 2012. p. 37. ISBN 978-4-330-29911-2.
4. "京成3500形リニュアル車" [Refurbished Keisei 3500 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 36 no. 422. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. June 1996. p. 61.
5. 『さよなら3500形未更新車記念ツアー』開催 ["Farewell Unrefurbished 3500 series Commemorative Tours" held]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 26 February 2017. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2017.