Keikyu 700 series (1956)


The Keikyu 700 series, later reclassified Keikyu 600 series, was a DC electric multiple unit train type operated by the private railway operator Keikyu on limited-stop commuter services in the Tokyo area of Japan from 1956 until 1986.

Interior

Passenger accommodation consisted of facing four-person seating bays, with longitudinal bench seats near the doorways.

History

The 700 series trains were first introduced in 1956, broadly based on the earlier 500 series trains.
From April 1966, the trains were reclassified "600 series", and roughly half of the former driving cars were rebuilt as intermediate cars with the cabs removed. At the same time, the headlamps were changed from the original incandescent light bulbs to sealed beam headlamps, and the original steel doors were replaced with new stainless steel doors.
Withdrawals of the 600 series trains commenced in 1984 with the introduction of 2000 series trains, and the last members of the fleet were withdrawn in March 1986 following a Sayonara run.

Resale

Six former 600 series cars were resold to the Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad in Shikoku, where they became the 1070 series, modified with front-end gangways and longitudinal seating.
The identities and histories of the six 600 series cars sold to Kotoden are as shown below.
Keikyu No.TypeWithdrawnResold to KotodenKotoden No.
605M1c31 May 198423 December 19841071
608M2c31 May 198423 December 19841072
609M1c31 March 19861 April 19871073
612M2c31 March 19861 April 19871074
613M1c31 March 19864 December 19861075
616M2c31 March 19864 December 19861076

Preservation

Car DeHa 601 is preserved in the No. 1 Recreation Park in Zushi, Kanagawa.