The is a DC commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated in the Tokyo area of Japan by the Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit. The train was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and first entered revenue service in 1996. Its design is based on the 209 series.
Formations , eight 10-car sets, numbered Z1 to Z3 and Z6 to Z10, are based at Yashio Depot in Tokyo (accessed via a spur located between Tennōzu Isle Station and Tokyo Teleport Station). These sets are formed as follows with six motored ("M") cars and four non-powered trailer ("T") cars.
Car No. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Designation Tc2A M1A M2A T2A M1A M2B T2A M1A M2A Tc2B Numbering 70-xx0 70-xx1 70-xx2 70-xx3 70-xx4 70-xx5 70-xx6 70-xx7 70-xx8 70-xx9
Cars 3, 6, and 9 are each fitted with one lozenge-type pantograph. Cars 1 and 10 have wheelchair space. Car 4 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.
History
Four 4-car trains were originally built and entered service in 1996 when the Rinkai Line opened between Shin-Kiba and Tokyo Teleport. A fifth train was built in 1999 for service expansion, and a sixth was built in 2001 for the extension of the line to Tennōzu Isle. In 2002, for the opening of the entire line to Ōsaki, the first five trains were extended to 6 cars, the sixth train was extended to 10 cars, and four new 10-car trains were built, for a total of five 6-car and five 10-car trains. The 10-car trains were also used on through services to/from the JR Saikyō Line.
From October 2004, the five 6-car trains were reformed as three 10-car trains. Six new trailer cars were built for the conversion, while six surplus cab and motor cars were sold to JR East to create 209-3100 series EMUs used on the Hachikō Line and Kawagoe Line.
209-3100 series conversions
Six former 70-000 series cars were converted in 2004 and 2005 to become 209-3100 series EMUs for use by JR East. The subsequent identities of these cars are as shown below. (The former car numbers were reused when other spare cars were renumbered.)
Former car number New car number New set number Date returned to service 70-020 KuHa 209-3101 71 14 March 2005 70-027 MoHa 209-3102 72 16 December 2004 70-028 MoHa 208-3102 72 16 December 2004 70-029 KuHa 208-3101 71 14 March 2005 70-030 KuHa 209-3102 72 16 December 2004 70-039 KuHa 209-3102 72 16 December 2004
Future plans The fleet of 70-000 series was expected to be replaced by a new train type in 2024. The design concept for its successor, the 71-000 series, was unveiled on 6 November 2023. The new trains, however, entered revenue service in October 2025; the full fleet of eight sets is expected to be in service by fiscal 2027.
Transfer to JR Kyushu In June 2025, it was announced that some 70000 series sets would be transferred to JR Kyushu to replace life-expired 103 series trains on the Chikuhi Line.
JR Kyushu later announced on 25 June 2026 that the converted 70-000 series sets would be reclassified as the . A total of five two-car sets are planned to undergo the conversion.
References
External links
Information on TWR website