Following testing of a two-car prototype in the late 1980s, the 12-000 series was introduced into service in December 1991. A total of 53 eight-car 12-000 series sets were built between 1990 and 2000 by Nippon Sharyo and Hitachi.
Formation
Designation
M2c
M1
M2
M1
M1
M2
M1
M2c
Numbering
12-xx1
12-xx2
12-xx3
12-xx4
12-xx5
12-xx6
12-xx7
12-xx8
Each M1 car is fitted with a lozenge-type pantograph.[1]
Car 5 is designated as a mildly-air-conditioned car.[1]
Interior
Interior view
Interior view, showing priority seating
History
The prototype two-car set at Magome Depot in May 1989
Two prototype cars, numbered 12-001 and 12-002, were delivered from Tokyu Car Corporation in April 1986. These cars had stainless steel bodies and were originally built with conventional traction motors. The cars were converted to linear motor propulsion in 1987, with testing conducted on a special test track at Magome Depot. Following successful testing, it was announced in December 1988 that linear motor propulsion would be used for the new Toei Ōedo Line (then Line 12) under construction in Tokyo.
The first production trains were delivered as six-car sets from Nippon Sharyo to Hikarigaoka Depot from September 1990 for testing on the line between Hikarigaoka and Nerima before entering revenue service in December 1991.[2] By 2001, a total of 424 vehicles were built by Nippon Sharyo and Hitachi, formed as 53 eight-car sets. The production trains featured aluminium bodies, and the first six sets were painted.[1][2]
The last remaining first-batch trains (sets 01 to 06) began withdrawal in June 2016.[3] The final first-batch train was retired from service on 30 June 2016.[4]
Preserved examples
Preserved prototype car 12-001 at Chihaya Flower Park in Toshima, Tokyo, June 2008
The two prototype cars, 12-001 and 12-002, are preserved at Chihaya Flower Park in Toshima, Tokyo.[5]
Gallery
Linear motor as used on the 12-000 series
T-12D bogie as used on the Toei 12-000 series. Note the low height of the bogie enabled by the use of linear motors.
A 12-000 series EMU (left) and a class E5000 electric locomotive (right). The class E5000 locomotive is used to haul 12-000 series units to Magome depot for major overhauls.
References
^ abc私鉄車両編成表 私鉄車両編成表 2010 [Private Railway Rolling Stock Formations - 2010]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. August 2010. p. 30. ISBN978-4-330-15310-0.
^【東京都】12-000形1次車が6月末で引退 [Toei 12-000 series 1st-batch trains to be withdrawn at end of June]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 27 June 2016. Archived from the original on 27 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
^"都営大江戸線12-000形1次車が営業運転終了" [Toei Oedo Line 12-000 type 1st batch set ends commercial operation]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 1 July 2016. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^Okada, Seiichi (September 2012). "魅惑の公園保存車両 4" [Fascinating park-preserved rolling stock (Part 4)]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 52, no. 617. Japan: Kōyūsha Co., Ltd. pp. 96–97.
