JAPAN: Nagoya Railway Co has updated its regional rolling stock fleet by introducing four Series 9500 EMUs on the 444 route-km, 1 067 mm gauge Meitetsu network radiating from the city.
The Series 9500 sets have been supplied by Nippon Sharyo and the first was placed into traffic on October 1. They will allow the existing Series 3300 EMUs to be cascaded onto peak-hour commuter services.
Designed for a maximum speed of 130 km/h, the 1·5 kV DC EMUs are expected to offer a 20% energy saving compared to the existing fleet. The carbodies are made from stainless steel, while the traction motors use VVVF inverters with silicon carbide semiconductors. LED lighting is used externally and internally, while internal and bodyside cameras are also fitted. This will help the crew to monitor boarding and alighting at sharply curved station platforms.
The interior design has been updated from that used in the Series 3300, with the overhead straps lowered by 50 mm. Wi-fi is provided throughout while information screens will give details of the status of other local transport services.
Monitoring equipment has been fitted to enable performance and component status to be transmitted from the train in real time. This is intended to help Nagoya Railway move towards a condition-based maintenance approach.
