Sendai Subway 1000 Series / 仙台市交通局1000系
The 1000 Series (1000系) is an EMU operated by Sendai Subway on the Namboku Line.
The first type to be operated by Sendai Subway, the 1000 series has served the Namboku Line since it’s opening in 1987. As with most other Japanese subway vehicles of the era, the 1000 series type are more alike to commuter trains than modern metro cars. The exterior is composed of aluminium alloy, and has a thin walled double skin structure with hollow sections to reduce weight and costs. Rather unusually, the front and end cars of the type has the same rated capacity as the middle cars, as they were extended by 2 meters, resulting in an identical passenger cabin. No air conditioning was initially installed as they were seen as unnecessary in Sendai’s cool climate, instead fans were used for ventilation. The 1000 series was also the first train in Japan to use automatic train operation, although drivers are retained as a safety precaution. 19 4-car sets operated on the line upon it’s opening, with an additional set added when the Izumi-Chūō extension opened in 1992, then another in 1996 to increase frequency. In total, 84 cars in 21 formations were produced. Plans had been drawn up for a future extension to 6 cars during the design phase, but these were abandoned as the subway fell drastically short of predictions in terms of ridership. All sets underwent renewal works between 2004 and 2013, which replaced chopper control with VVVF. Air conditioning and wheelchair spaces were also installed in the process. The renewed sets became known as the 1000N series. As the type have almost reached 40 years of service, Sendai Subway will start introduction of the new 3000 Series in Q3 of 2024 as an replacement, with the last 1000 series sets scheduled to retire in 2031.
Basic Information:
Max Speed: 75km/h
Acceleration: 0.97m/s/s
Motor Output: 160kW x 4 per car
Seating: long
The following formations are included:
4 Car
Configuration: 2M2T
Max Pax: 1152
In Service: 1978-
5 Car (Hypothetical Formation)
Configuration: 3M2T
Max Pax: 1440
6 Car
Configuration: 4M2T
Max Pax: 1728
In Service: Planned
