The Tobu N100 series (Japanese: 東武N100系, romanized: Tōbu N100-kei), branded Spacia X (スペーシアX),[3][4] is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Tobu Railway on limited express services in Japan since 15 July 2023. A total of four 6-car sets were built by Hitachi to replace the ageing 100 series EMUs which have been in service since 1990.[5]
| Tobu N100 series Spacia X | |
|---|---|
 N100 series train in January 2024 | |
| In service | 15 July 2023 – present |
| Manufacturer | Hitachi |
| Built at | Kasado Works, Kudamatsu |
| Family name | A-train |
| Replaced | Tobu 100 series |
| Constructed | 2022–2024 |
| Number built | 24 vehicles (4 sets) |
| Formation | 6 cars per trainset |
| Operators | Tobu Railway |
| Lines served | |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium |
| Car length |
|
| Width | 2,836 mm (9 ft 4 in) |
| Height | 4,045 mm (13 ft 3 in) |
| Maximum speed |
|
| Traction system | Variable frequency (SiC-IGBT hybrid module) |
| Traction motors | 165 kW (221 hp) TM-22 three-phase induction motor |
| Power output | 2,640 kW (3,540 hp) |
| Acceleration | 2.23 km/(h⋅s) (1.39 mph/s) |
| Deceleration |
|
| Electric system(s) | 1,500 V DC (overhead wire) |
| Current collector(s) | Single-arm pantograph |
| Bogies |
|
| Headlight type | LED |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Notes/references | |
 | |
History
editDetails of the N100 series were first announced on 11 November 2021. The N100 series is intended to succeed the 100 series Spacia as Tobu's flagship limited express fleet.[5] Production of the fleet began in fiscal 2022,[6] with the first two sets, N101 and N102, being delivered from Hitachi's Kasado plant from 5 March 2023.[7] The last two sets were delivered from the Hitachi plant from February 2024.[8]
The N100 series fleet entered service from 15 July 2023.[3][4]
Design
editThe N100 series is part of Hitachi's A-train family, and uses aluminium body construction.[9] It is a recipient of the 2023 Good Design Award[10] and 2024 Blue Ribbon Award.[11]
Exterior
editThe N100 series sets are painted in a shade of white[12] that takes influence from the color of the Yomeimon gate at the Nikko Tosho-gu shrine.[13] The end cars are fitted with hexagonal side windows, whose frames are inspired by the Japanese "kumiko" woodworking technique.[13][2]
The train ends each feature an LED panel with 39 LEDs, functioning as a headlight and taillight cluster; when switched on, the headlights form a "T" shape. External LCD destination displays are located at the sides of each car.[14]
Interior
editThe interior consists of the following accommodations:
- Cockpit Lounge (car 1): The Cockpit Lounge consists of sofas and lounge chairs. Two lounge chairs face the driver's cab, allowing passengers a front view. A bar, which serves beer, coffee, and snacks, is located at the rear of the Cockpit Lounge. Car 1's vestibule features an artificial skylight.[2]
- Premium seating (car 2): Seats are arranged in a 2+1 abreast configuration with a seat pitch of 120 centimetres (47 in).[15] The seats use orange fabric, which was chosen to make the seats stand out from the dark grey flooring. They also incorporate a back shell structure, which Tobu Railway states allows for reclining without impacting rearward passengers.[16]
- Standard class (cars 3–5): Seats are arranged in a 2+2 abreast configuration with a 110-centimetre (43 in) seat pitch, the same as that of the outgoing 100 series.[16] Cars 3 and 4 consist of standard class accommodation throughout (56 seats each), and car 5 has 18 standard class seats, wheelchair spaces, and two 2-person semi-compartmentalized seating bays.[2]
- Cockpit Suite (car 6): Situated behind the driver's cab, the Cockpit Suite is an 11-square-metre (120 sq ft) space which seats up to seven passengers (four seats and a three-person sofa). The suite and the driver's cab are separated by a glass barrier, also allowing passengers a view from the front.[17] Also featured in car 6 are four 4-person compartments, with sofas that form a "U" shape.[2] The compartments are situated directly behind the Cockpit Suite.[17] Like car 1, car 6's vestibule features an artificial skylight.[2]
-
Cockpit Lounge (car 1) -
Premium seating (car 2) -
Standard seating (cars 3–5) -
Semi-compartment seating (car 5) -
Compartment seating (car 6) -
Cockpit Suite (car 6)
Operations
editThe N100 series fleet operates between Asakusa and Kinugawa-Onsen (or Tobu-Nikko) stations on the Tobu Skytree, Nikko, and Kinugawa lines. Originally, the type only made two round trips per day (four on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays)[18] but with the start of the 16 March 2024 timetable revision, the frequency was increased to four trips daily throughout the week.[19]
Unlike the 100 series, the N100 series cannot run on JR East lines.[19]
Formation
editThe N100 series sets consist of four intermediate motored cars with non-powered (trailer) end cars. They are formed as shown below.[2]
← Asakusa
| ||||||
| Car No. | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Designation | N100-1 (Tc1) |
N100-2 (M1) |
N100-3 (M2) |
N100-4 (M3) |
N100-5 (M4) |
N100-6 (Tc2) |
- Cars 3 and 5 are each equipped with two single-arm pantographs.
- Cars 2 and 5 are equipped with toilets.
See also
edit- Keihan 3000 series, another train type that features external LCD destination displays
References
edit- ^ "Tobu Railway orders N100 units". Railway Gazette International. 16 November 2021. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g Nagino, Momoko (16 April 2023). 【お披露目レポ】東武新型特急「スペーシア X」N100系 [Unveiling report: Tobu Railway N100 series "Spacia X"]. Tetsudo Shimbun (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ a b 東武「N100系」の車両愛称名は「SPACIA X」に 〜2023年7月15日から運転開始〜 [Tobu "N100 series" brand name "SPACIA X" - operation to begin 15 July 2023]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ a b Omori, Taketo (15 July 2023). 【新時代の幕開け！】東武特急「スペーシアX」運行開始！ [(The beginning of a new era!) Tobu limited express "Spacia X" starts operation!]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. Archived from the original on 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ a b "東武が新型特急「N100系」導入、ラウンジやカフェカウンターを設置 - 鉄道コム" [Tobu announces new limited express N100 series fleet, installs lounges and cafe counters]. tetsudo.com (in Japanese). 11 November 2021. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ 東武，2022年度の設備投資計画を発表 [Tobu announces financial plan for fiscal 2022]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 29 April 2022. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ 東武N100系が甲種輸送される [Tobu N100 series transported]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 6 March 2023. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ EF210-901が東武N100系の甲種輸送をけん引 [EF210-901 heads Tobu N100 series delivery]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ "Tobu Railway launches Spacia X EMU fleet". Railway Gazette International. 18 April 2023. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ 新型特急車両N100系スペーシアXが 「2023年度 グッドデザイン賞」を受賞！ [New N100 series Spacia X limited express train receives the "2023 Good Design Award"!]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neklo Publishing. 5 October 2023. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ 東武鉄道、N100系「スペーシアX」鉄道友の会ブルーリボン賞を受賞 [Tobu Railway's N100 Series "Spacia X" wins Japan Railfan Club's Blue Ribbon Award]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ 東武の新型特急N100系「スペーシアX」公開 白い車体に多彩なシートバリエーション [Tobu shows off new N100 series "Spacia X" limited express train; various forms of accommodation with a distinctively white body]. The Railway Channel (in Japanese). Japan: EXPRESS Co., Ltd. 16 April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Tobu Railway reveals new, spacious 'Spacia X' trains for Tokyo-Nikko route". Mainichi Daily News. 18 April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ 東武鉄道、N100系「スペーシアX」新型特急車両を公開 - 写真136枚 [Tobu Railway unveils new limited express N100 series "Spacia X" – 136 photos]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 16 April 2023. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ 東武鉄道「スペーシアX」にプレミアムシート＆スタンダードシート [Premium and standard seating of Tobu Railway's "Spacia X"]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 16 April 2023. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ a b 東武鉄道「スペーシア X」各種座席を公開「プレミアムシート」など [Tobu Railway unveils "Spacia X" seating configurations]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 17 July 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ a b 東武鉄道「スペーシアX」先頭車に最上級「コックピットスイート」 [Top-of-the-line "Cockpit Suite" in Tobu Railway's "Spacia X"]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 16 April 2023. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ 7月デビューの東武新型特急「スペーシアX」運行詳細決まる [Tobu Railway unveils operational details for new "Spacia X" limited express train debuting in July]. The Railway Channel (in Japanese). Japan: EXPRESS Co., Ltd. 15 February 2023. p. 1. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ a b Sugiyama, Junichi (23 March 2024). 東武鉄道「スペーシアX」4編成化、群馬・千葉方面どんなルートに? [Tobu Railway's "Spacia X" to be expanded to four train sets, what routes will it take to Gunma and Chiba?]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 May 2024.
External links
edit
- November 2021 press release (in Japanese)