| Tobu N100 series Spacia X | |
|---|---|
 N100 series train in January 2024 | |
| In service | 15 July 2023 – present |
| Manufacturer | Hitachi |
| Built at | Kasado Works, Kudamatsu |
| Family name | A-train |
| Replaced | Tobu 100 series |
| Constructed | 2022–2024 |
| Number built | 24 vehicles (4 sets) |
| Formation | 6 cars per trainset |
| Operators | Tobu Railway |
| Lines served | |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium |
| Car length |
|
| Width | 2,836 mm (9 ft 4 in) |
| Height | 4,045 mm (13 ft 3 in) |
| Maximum speed |
|
| Traction system | Variable frequency (SiC-IGBT hybrid module) |
| Traction motors | 165 kW (221 hp) TM-22 three-phase induction motor |
| Power output | 2,640 kW (3,540 hp) |
| Acceleration | 2.23 km/(h⋅s) (1.39 mph/s) |
| Deceleration |
|
| Electric system(s) | 1,500 V DC (overhead wire) |
| Current collector(s) | Single-arm pantograph |
| Bogies |
|
| Headlight type | LED |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Notes/references | |
This train won the 67th Blue Ribbon Award in 2024.
Sources: | |
The Tobu N100 series (Japanese: 東武N100系, romanized: Tōbu N100-kei), branded Spacia X (スペーシアX), is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Tobu Railway on limited express services in Japan since 15 July 2023. A total of four 6-car sets were built by Hitachi to replace the ageing 100 series EMUs which have been in service since 1990.
History
Details of the N100 series were first announced on 11 November 2021. The N100 series is intended to succeed the 100 series Spacia as Tobu's flagship limited express fleet. Production of the fleet began in fiscal 2022, with the first two sets, N101 and N102, being delivered from Hitachi's Kasado plant from 5 March 2023. The last two sets were delivered from the Hitachi plant from February 2024.
The N100 series fleet entered service from 15 July 2023.
Design
The N100 series is part of Hitachi's A-train family, and uses aluminium body construction. It is a recipient of the 2023 Good Design Award and 2024 Blue Ribbon Award.
Exterior
The N100 series sets are painted in a shade of white that takes influence from the color of the Yomeimon gate at the Nikko Tosho-gu shrine. The end cars are fitted with hexagonal side windows, whose frames are inspired by the Japanese "kumiko" woodworking technique.
The train ends each feature an LED panel with 39 LEDs, functioning as a headlight and taillight cluster; when switched on, the headlights form a "T" shape. External LCD destination displays are located at the sides of each car.
Interior
The interior consists of the following accommodations:
- Cockpit Lounge (car 1): The Cockpit Lounge consists of sofas and lounge chairs. Two lounge chairs face the driver's cab, allowing passengers a front view. A bar, which serves beer, coffee, and snacks, is located at the rear of the Cockpit Lounge. Car 1's vestibule features an artificial skylight.
- Premium seating (car 2): Seats are arranged in a 2+1 abreast configuration with a seat pitch of 120 centimetres (47 in). The seats use orange fabric, which was chosen to make the seats stand out from the dark grey flooring. They also incorporate a back shell structure, which Tobu Railway states allows for reclining without impacting rearward passengers.
- Standard class (cars 3–5): Seats are arranged in a 2+2 abreast configuration with a 110-centimetre (43 in) seat pitch, the same as that of the outgoing 100 series. Cars 3 and 4 consist of standard class accommodation throughout (56 seats each), and car 5 has 18 standard class seats, wheelchair spaces, and two 2-person semi-compartmentalized seating bays.
- Cockpit Suite (car 6): Situated behind the driver's cab, the Cockpit Suite is an 11-square-metre (120 sq ft) space which seats up to seven passengers (four seats and a three-person sofa). The suite and the driver's cab are separated by a glass barrier, also allowing passengers a view from the front. Also featured in car 6 are four 4-person compartments, with sofas that form a "U" shape. The compartments are situated directly behind the Cockpit Suite. Like car 1, car 6's vestibule features an artificial skylight.
-
Cockpit Lounge (car 1)
-
Premium seating (car 2)
-
Standard seating (cars 3–5)
-
Semi-compartment seating (car 5)
-
Compartment seating (car 6)
-
Cockpit Suite (car 6)
Operations
The N100 series fleet operates between Asakusa and Kinugawa-Onsen (or Tobu-Nikko) stations on the Tobu Skytree, Nikko, and Kinugawa lines. Originally, the type only made two round trips per day (four on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays) but with the start of the 16 March 2024 timetable revision, the frequency was increased to four trips daily throughout the week.
Unlike the 100 series, the N100 series cannot run on JR East lines.
Formation
The N100 series sets consist of four intermediate motored cars with non-powered (trailer) end cars. They are formed as shown below.
| ← Asakusa | ||||||
| Car No. | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Designation | N100-1 (Tc1) |
N100-2 (M1) |
N100-3 (M2) |
N100-4 (M3) |
N100-5 (M4) |
N100-6 (Tc2) |
- Cars 3 and 5 are each equipped with two single-arm pantographs.
- Cars 2 and 5 are equipped with toilets.
See also
- Keihan 3000 series, another train type that features external LCD destination displays
References
- "Tobu Railway orders N100 units". Railway Gazette International. 16 November 2021. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Nagino, Momoko (16 April 2023). 【お披露目レポ】東武新型特急「スペーシア X」N100系 [Unveiling report: Tobu Railway N100 series "Spacia X"]. Tetsudo Shimbun (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ 東武「N100系」の車両愛称名は「SPACIA X」に 〜2023年7月15日から運転開始〜 [Tobu "N100 series" brand name "SPACIA X" - operation to begin 15 July 2023]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ Omori, Taketo (15 July 2023). 【新時代の幕開け！】東武特急「スペーシアX」運行開始！ [(The beginning of a new era!) Tobu limited express "Spacia X" starts operation!]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. Archived from the original on 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ "東武が新型特急「N100系」導入、ラウンジやカフェカウンターを設置 - 鉄道コム" [Tobu announces new limited express N100 series fleet, installs lounges and cafe counters]. tetsudo.com (in Japanese). 11 November 2021. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- 東武，2022年度の設備投資計画を発表 [Tobu announces financial plan for fiscal 2022]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 29 April 2022. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- 東武N100系が甲種輸送される [Tobu N100 series transported]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 6 March 2023. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- EF210-901が東武N100系の甲種輸送をけん引 [EF210-901 heads Tobu N100 series delivery]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- "Tobu Railway launches Spacia X EMU fleet". Railway Gazette International. 18 April 2023. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- 新型特急車両N100系スペーシアXが 「2023年度 グッドデザイン賞」を受賞！ [New N100 series Spacia X limited express train receives the "2023 Good Design Award"!]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neklo Publishing. 5 October 2023. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- 東武鉄道、N100系「スペーシアX」鉄道友の会ブルーリボン賞を受賞 [Tobu Railway's N100 Series "Spacia X" wins Japan Railfan Club's Blue Ribbon Award]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- 東武の新型特急N100系「スペーシアX」公開 白い車体に多彩なシートバリエーション [Tobu shows off new N100 series "Spacia X" limited express train; various forms of accommodation with a distinctively white body]. The Railway Channel (in Japanese). Japan: EXPRESS Co., Ltd. 16 April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ "Tobu Railway reveals new, spacious 'Spacia X' trains for Tokyo-Nikko route". Mainichi Daily News. 18 April 2023. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- 東武鉄道、N100系「スペーシアX」新型特急車両を公開 - 写真136枚 [Tobu Railway unveils new limited express N100 series "Spacia X" – 136 photos]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 16 April 2023. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- 東武鉄道「スペーシアX」にプレミアムシート＆スタンダードシート [Premium and standard seating of Tobu Railway's "Spacia X"]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 16 April 2023. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ 東武鉄道「スペーシア X」各種座席を公開「プレミアムシート」など [Tobu Railway unveils "Spacia X" seating configurations]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 17 July 2022. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ 東武鉄道「スペーシアX」先頭車に最上級「コックピットスイート」 [Top-of-the-line "Cockpit Suite" in Tobu Railway's "Spacia X"]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 16 April 2023. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- 7月デビューの東武新型特急「スペーシアX」運行詳細決まる [Tobu Railway unveils operational details for new "Spacia X" limited express train debuting in July]. The Railway Channel (in Japanese). Japan: EXPRESS Co., Ltd. 15 February 2023. p. 1. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ Sugiyama, Junichi (23 March 2024). 東武鉄道「スペーシアX」4編成化、群馬・千葉方面どんなルートに? [Tobu Railway's "Spacia X" to be expanded to four train sets, what routes will it take to Gunma and Chiba?]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 May 2024.
External links
- November 2021 press release (in Japanese)
| Tobu Railway trainsets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Commuter |  | |
| Express | ||
| Withdrawn types | ||