Subscribe to download
Konan Railway 7000 Series / 弘南鉄道7000系

The 7000 Series (7000系) is an EMU operated by Konan Railway since 1988.

These vehicles are former Tokyu 7000 series acquired by Konan Railway to update their fleet. They were originally manufactured from 1962 to 1966, and operated by Tokyu until 1999. The 7000 series is composed of two groups with electrical equipment produced by Toyo Denki and Hitachi respectively, although the specifications between them are largely the same, they are not operated in common. A total of 24 cars were transferred from Tokyu to Konan, and they are operated in sets of two. In consideration of the harsh winters of Aomori Prefecture, the heating was strengthened in all cars. Some former middle cars were also modified to be leading cars, and compatibility with one-man operation added in the 1990s. The 7000 series are some of the last non-air conditioned trains to remain in regular operation in Japan, and they have now been with Konan longer than their service life as Tokyu trains. Only 2 accident damaged cars have been scrapped, and there are no immediate plans for replacement. Vehicles with Hitachi equipment are operated by Konan on the Owani Line, while Toyo Denki trains are used on the Konan Line.

Operator Background:

Konan Railway is a private railway in Aomori Prefecture, it owns and operates two heavy rail lines in the Hirosaki area. The 16.8km Konan Line was constructed by the company in 1927, it connects JR Hirosaki Station with the two minor cities of Hirakawa and Kuroishi with a total of 13 stations. The Owani Line was constructed in 1952 by Hirosaki Electric Railway, it was acquired by Konan Railway in 1970. This 13.9km route starts at Chuo-Hirosaki Station, located closer to Hirosaki's city center than JR Hirosaki Station. It then runs south parallel to the JR Ōu Main Line until the two connects at Owani Station, which is also the terminus. The two lines are both electrified at 1500V DC and entirely single track, they also share the 1067mm narrow gauge. There is no direct connection between the Konan Line and Owani Line, and although it is technically possible to transfer between the two lines via the JR Ōu Main Line, it would be a very long detour. In 1984 the JNR Kuroishi Line was transferred to Konan Railway due to low patronage, but it was closed in 1998 as the company found it difficult to maintain the unelectrified line, which required separate diesel railcars. As of current, Konan Railway operates a fleet of 11 2-car EMUs of the 7000 series, it is the last company in Japan to run non-air conditioned trains for regular passenger services.

Basic Information:

Max Speed: 110km/h
Acceleration: 0.83m/s/s
Motor Output: 70kW x 4 per car
Seating: long
In Service: 1988-

The following formations are included:

7000 Series (2 Car)

Configuration: 2M
Max Pax: 412
-can be coupled up to 3 sets