Tobu 200 series

The Tobu 200 series and 250 series (東武200系・250系, Tōbu 200/250-kei) are electric multiple unit (EMU) train types operated in Japan on limited express services by the private railway operator Tobu Railway since 1991.[2] The trains are used on Ryōmō services from Asakusa in Tokyo to Akagi and Kuzū.[3]

Tobu 200 series
A 200 series set in April 2017
In service	1991–present
Manufacturer	Alna Kōki, Tokyu Car Corporation
Replaced	1800 series
Constructed	1990–1998
Number built	60 vehicles (10 sets)
Number in service	60 vehicles (10 sets)
Formation	6 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	Tobu Railway
Depot(s)	Tatebayashi
Line(s) served	Tobu Skytree Line, Tobu Isesaki Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Car length	20 m
Doors	One per side
Maximum speed	110 km/h (70 mph)[1]
Traction system	200 series: Resistor control + field system superimposed field excitation control 250 series: Variable frequency (IGBT, PMSM)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Current collection method	Overhead line
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Formations

As of 1 April 2012, the fleet consists of nine 6-car 200 series sets and one 6-car 250 series set.[4]

200 series sets 201 to 209

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Designation	Mc2	M4	M3	M2	M1	Mc1
Numbering	200-6	200-5	200-4	200-3	200-2	200-1

Cars 2, 4, and 5 are each fitted with a pantograph (scissors type on sets 201 to 206, and single-arm type on sets 207 to 209.[4]

250 series set 251

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Designation	Tc2	M3	T	M2	M1	Tc1
Numbering	251-6	251-5	251-4	251-3	251-2	251-1

Car 2 is fitted with one single-arm pantograph, and car 4 is fitted with two single-arm pantograph.[4]

Interior

Passenger accommodation is monoclass with unidirectional reclining seats arranged with a seat pitch of 985 mm (38.8 in).[1] Seats in the 200 series sets were reused from former 1700 and 1720 series trainsets, with new seat cover moquette.[2] Vending machines selling drinks are provided.[1]

• 
  Interior view
• 
  Reclining seats

History

The first seven 200 series sets were built between 1991 and 1996 utilizing the bogies and traction motors from former 1700/1720 series "DRC" EMUs displaced by the arrival of new Spacia 100 series EMUs. The trains entered service from 1 February 1991.[5] Sets 208 and 209 built in fiscal 1997 featured HID headlights, LED destination indicators, and single-arm pantographs. 250 series set 251, was an entirely new build, delivered in March 1998. This featured the same 190 kW traction motors and bogies as the 30000 series, with VVVF control. Only three of the six cars in this set are motored.[5]

In December 2014, set 206 was overhauled and returned to traffic with new seats, replacing the original 1700/1720 series seating.[6]

Livery variations

In June 2016, 200 series set 208 was repainted in a special livery based on that of the Puyuma Express trains operated in Taiwan by the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA).[7] This follows the signing of a friendship agreement between Tobu and TRA in December 2015.[8]

• 
  Set 208 in Puyuma Express livery in September 2016
• 
  A TRA TEM2000 series Puyuma Express EMU in August 2013

References

1. 日本と世界の鉄道カタログ [Japan and World Railway Catalogue]. Japan: Seibido Publishing. August 1991. pp. 40–41. ISBN 978-4-415-03383-9.
2. 私鉄車両年鑑 2013: 大手15社営業用車両完全網羅 私鉄車両年鑑2013 [Japan Private Railways Annual 2013]. Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. 20 March 2013. p. 166. ISBN 978-4-86320-693-9.
3. 日本と世界の鉄道カタログ [Japan and World Railway Catalogue]. Japan: Seibido Publishing. July 1992. ISBN 978-4-415-03262-7.
4. 私鉄車両編成表 2012 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2012]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. July 2012. p. 45. ISBN 978-4-330-29911-2.
5. ２００６東武鉄道優等車両カタログ [2006 Tobu Railway Express Rolling Stock Catalogue]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 35 no. 264. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. April 2006. pp. 22–24.
6. 東武鉄道200系206編成の座席が交換される [Seats replaced on Tobu 200 series set 206]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 14 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
7. 東武鉄道200系208編成が台鐵自強号「普悠瑪」デザインとなって出場 [Tobu 200 series set 208 out-shopped in Taiwan "Puyuma Express" style livery]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 14 June 2016. Archived from the original on 14 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
8. 東武特急〈りょうもう〉号を台鉄自強号〈普悠瑪〉デザインに変更 [Tobu Ryomo limited express train to be changed to Taiwan Puyuma Express livery]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 13 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.

External links

• Tobu 200 series information (in Japanese)