Tobu series 8000

left: This original type fase is no longer seen on the Noda line.
right: Renewal face appeared in 1987.

Tobu series 8000 is Tobu railway's second high-accerelation car, released in 1962.
According to the increase of commuter, Tobu railway company installed large-body cars
(series 7800, which based JNR commuter train series 63) but their traction system and frame was old.
First high-accerelation car was series 2000, used to through train into Hibiya line.
But they are too expensive, eats as much electricity, and short body(18m).
So, series 8000 was rolled out.

* series 7800(left) and series 2000(right)

Series 2000 is all mortor car in one formation, but series 8000 is half trailor in one formation.
Correspond to integrate traction car, output of motor was increased from 75kw to 130kw.
Also, series 8000 adopted more symple break system. That is, it omited dynamo break.
One especially good point was it has air-suspension, rather expensive for contemporary commuter train.
For example, JNR series 103, temporary commuter train, has spring suspension.

* Photo above is JR west renewaled series 103 on Osaka roop line


By 20 years, 712 cars was produced. this is the biggest number for one series of private company.
However, miner change was done during two decades.
Track gear changed from FS-356 to FS-361. This is the biggest change.

* this is Track gear of series 8000. left is older type(FS-356) and right is newer one(FS-361).

Air conditioning system was at first not equipped
but, on the way adding formation, become produced with AC and formations without system are also equipped by 1982.
Many other points was changed.


Color of the train changes as time passed.
left one is oldest one, which is a pattern originally made use of two iron belts of old-frame cars over and under windows.
Middle one was to save cost of paint, but not cool. Third one is present pattern. Blue was choosed in contrast with special express cars.

* special express train series 100 and rapid car series 6050


Renewal was stated from 1986.
Interior was totally changed. Old one was green floor, ocher wall and brown seats, but renewaled one is like a photo above.
Every parts are substituted to new one and imitate series 10000,the latist commuter train of Tobu railway company at that time.
From 1987, front exterior was totally changed in renewal.
This design is called "black face", which describes around front window is painted black, and around 1985 in fashion.

* Photo above is one example of "black face": JR Tokai series 211 on Gotenba line.

From 1996 HID light was equipped, and 8000 become more up-to-date.
Latist renewaled cars has automatic anounce system and LED information display which show scrolling chalacters.

However inspite this renewal, series 8000 become the oldest cars in Tobu line
and so they are driving out from main line and running in local line and Noda line.

car type	tc8100	mc8200	mc8300	tc8400	mc8500	tc8600	tc8700	mc8800	tc8900
capasity/sit-down cap.	150/50	170/58 170/54	170/58	150/50	150/50 150/46	150/50	170/58	170/58 170/54	170/58
weight(t)	26.0	38.0	39.0	26.0	38.5	31.5	32.0	38.0	28.0
length(mm)	20000	20000	20000	20000	20000	20000	20000	20000	20000
width(mm)	2806	2806	2806	2806	2806	2806	2806	2806	2806
height(mm)	4045	4200	4045	4045	4200	4045	4045	4200	4045
motor output(KW)	-	130kw 1C8M	130kw 1C8M	-	130kw 1C4M	-	-	130kw 1C4M	-
main device	c	R/C/PT	CP/MG	c	c/R/C/PT	c/CP/MG	CP/MG	R/C/PT	-
acceleration speed | max speed | designed max speed	2.25km/h/s | 100km/h | 110km/h
break power | emergency break power	3.7km/h/s | 4.2km/h/s

*abberviation c: controling room R: registor C: controlling unit PT: pantagraph CP: air-compressor MG: motor generator