Sotetsu 6000 series


The Sotetsu 6000 series was an electric multiple unit commuter train type operated by Sagami Railway in Japan between 1961 and 2004.

Overview

Sagami Railway had made the Sotetsu 5000 series EMUs in 1955, but their short 18 meter frames were not large enough to carry the rapid increase of commuters that accompanied the Japanese post-war economic miracle. Considering this population growth and aging of the 5000 series, Sagami planned new EMUs with larger bodies and flexible formations.

6000 series

History

From 1961 to 1970, 120 6000 series train cars were built by Hitachi. Starting in 1990, the 6000 series began to be replaced by the Sotetsu 8000 series and Sotetsu 9000 series EMUs, with its last run taking place in 1997.

Body

The 6000 series was constructed with a 20-meter steel body. The No. 6021 prototype was successfully created and run using lightweight aluminum, which thereafter became the material of choice for many 6000 series body cars.

Traction

The motor power of the 6000 series is 110 kW.

Liveries

Sotetsu experimented with testing green and yellow colors for the trains. The green type was selected by voting within the company.

New 6000 series

History

From 1970 to 1974, 70 New 6000 series cars were made by Hitachi.
Starting in 1997, New 6000 series began to be replaced by the Sotetsu 8000, 9000, and 10000 series EMUs. The last use of the New 6000 series took place on 22 August 2003, with a special running of two trains on 12 November 2003.

Body

The body of the improved series was 20 m long and 2930 mm wide.

Interior design

The company began to adopt air conditioners in some of the New Series cars.

Motors

The motor power of the New Series is 130 kW.

Liveries

6000 Series cars nos. 6001 and 6021 are preserved at Kashiwadai depot, while no New 6000 series vehicles have been retained.