A special supplement is required to travel on these services, in addition to the basic fare and limited express charge.[2] The 50000 series is one of the only normal service trains (as opposed to cruise trains and tourist excursions) to feature a dining car in Japan.
Formation
The three six-car trains are formed as shown below.[1][4]
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Numbering
Ku 50600
Mo 50500
Sa 50400
Mo 50300
Mo 50200
Ku 50100
Capacity
27
28
19
26
30
27
Weight (t)
44.0
49.0
39.0
47.0
49.0
44.0
Facilities
–
WC
Cafeteria
WC, smoking compartment
WC
–
Car 2 is fitted with two PT126-A single-arm pantographs, and cars 4 and 5 are each fitted with one.[1]
Ku 50102
Mo 50202
Mo 50302
Sa 50402
Mo 50502
Ku 50602
Interior
Seating in cars 1, 2, 5, and 6 is arranged 2+1 abreast, with a seat pitch of 1,250 mm (49 in).[5] The seats are covered in cream-coloured leather and feature individual controls for lumbar support and an inflate/deflate feature to help customers relax.[6] Car 3 features cafeteria seating on two levels (6 seats on the lower level and 13 on the upper level).[5] The upper level of the car features a wave-pattern counter along one side of the car. A spacious wheelchair-accessible toilet features a changing board for passengers to stand on to change clothes. The car also features a powder room for female passengers.[6] Car 4 features 4-person Japanese and western-style compartments and 6-person semi-open compartments.[5]
Open saloon seating
Compartment seating
Exterior
The train is painted in a sky blue and crystal white livery, reminiscent of the Ise-Shima ocean resort region. The train is named for the Shima region, and kaze, Japanese for "wind".[6]
Bogies
The trains run on bolsterless bogies with full active suspension.[4] The motored bogies are designated KD-320, and the trailer bogies are designated KD-320A.[4]
Motored KD-320 bogie (top) and trailer KD-320A bogie (bottom)
History
Starting in 2009, market research was conducted to help design the train; over 14,000 people were asked for their opinion. The study showed that over 60% of visitors to the region were female; this information was used to add the fitting boards and powder rooms to the design.[6] The first 50000 series set was delivered from Kinki Sharyo in September 2012.[2] The two trainsets entered revenue service on 21 March 2013.[3] In May 2014, the 50000 series was awarded the 2014 Blue Ribbon Award, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.[7] A presentation ceremony was held on 20 September 2014 at Kyoto Station.[8]
^ abc 近畿日本鉄道50000系「しまかぜ」3月21日運転開始 [Kintetsu 50000 series "Shimakaze" to enter service 21 March]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 42, no. 347. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. March 2013. pp. 68–70.
^ abc"近畿日本鉄道５００００系伊勢志摩特急「しまかぜ」２０１３年３月にデビュー" [Kintetsu 50000 series Ise-Shima limited express "Shimakaze" to debut in March 2013]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 41, no. 343. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. November 2012. p. 71.
^ ab新型観光特急"しまかぜ"デビュー [New Shimakaze tourist limited express enters service]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
^ abcOkuyama, Motoki (April 2013). 近畿日本鉄道50000系 [Kintetsu 50000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 53, no. 624. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 54–63.
^ abc次世代 新型観光特急「しまかぜ」、平成２５年３月２１日デビュー！ [Next-generation tourist express "Shimakase" to debut on 21 March 2013!] (PDF). News Release (in Japanese). Japan: Kintetsu Corporation. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
^ブルーリボン賞・ローレル賞 選定車両一覧 [Blue Ribbon Award & Laurel Prize Winner List] (in Japanese). Japan: Japan Railfan Club. 26 May 2014. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
^ 近鉄50000系 ブルーリボン賞を受賞 [Kintetsu 50000 series receives Blue Ribbon Award]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 54, no. 644. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. December 2014. p. 65.
^ 近畿日本鉄道50000系3次車 [Kintetsu 50000 series 3rd-batch trainset]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 54, no. 644. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. December 2014. pp. 64–65.
