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Odakyu 50000 series
Vault Super Express
Odakyu.type50000.jpg
Odakyu 50000 series VSE, August 2020
In serviceMarch 2005 – present (regular service ended in 2022)
ManufacturerNippon Sharyo
DesignerNoriaki Okabe
Entered service19 March 2005
Number built20 vehicles (2 trainsets)
Formation10 cars per trainset
Operator(s)Odakyu Electric Railway
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Car length14 m (45 ft 11 in)
Maximum speed110 km/h (68 mph) (service)
130 km/h (81 mph) (design)
Traction systemToshiba 2-level IGBT–VVVF
Acceleration2.0 km/(h⋅s) (1.2 mph/s)
Deceleration4.0 km/(h⋅s) (2.5 mph/s) (service)
4.5 km/(h⋅s) (2.8 mph/s) (emergency)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classification2′(Bo)′(Bo)′(Bo)′(Bo)′2′(Bo)′(Bo)′(Bo)′(Bo)′2′
Braking system(s)Regenerative brake
Safety system(s)ATS (OM)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Notes/references
Wikipedia blueribbon W.PNG
This train won the 49th Blue Ribbon Award in 2006.

The Odakyu 50000 series (小田急50000形, Odakyū 50000-gata) or VSE (Vault Super Express) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train operated by Odakyu Electric Railway on Romancecar services in Japan. Two 10-car articulated sets were introduced in March 2005, manufactured by Nippon Sharyo.

The type won a Japanese Good Design Award in 2005, and a Blue Ribbon Award in 2006.[1]

On 11 March 2022, the train type was withdrawn from regular service, and has since been reserved for use on special services only. A complete retirement is planned for 2023.

Design

The 50000 series was designed by architect Noriaki Okabe.[2][3] Body construction is of double-skin aluminium.[2]

The 50000 series has regenerative brakes, and is equipped with air suspension, and tilts for passenger comfort.

As with most previous Romancecar trains, the train cars in the sets are articulated.[4]

Interior

Passenger accommodation primarily consists of 2+2 abreast seating, with a seating pitch of 1,010 millimetres (40 in) for the leading cars and 1,050 millimetres (41 in) for the intermediate cars. The seats are rotated five degrees toward the windows. In the leading cars, the frontmost seats can be arranged in a longitudinal, lounge-like configuration. Car 3 uses compartment-style seating.[4]

The 50000 series trains have the driver's cab located above the passenger saloon, giving passengers a view out of the front of the train.[4] This arrangement was used on earlier Odakyu Romancecar trains, although discontinued with the 30000 series EXE trains.[5]

Formation

The sets are formed as follows.[4]

Car No. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Designation DeHa 50000
(M1c) 		DeHa 50100
(M2) 		DeHa 50200
(M3) 		DeHa 50300
(M4) 		DeHa 50400(M5) DeHa 50500
(M6) 		DeHa 50600
(M7) 		DeHa 50700
(M8) 		DeHa 50800
(M9) 		DeHa 50900
(M10c)
Weight (t) 29.7 24.7 25.7 24.5 24.3 25.5 25.6 24.6 29.9
Capacity 48 40 10 40 12 40 48
Odakyu 50000 series VSE
Odakyu 50000 series VSE

History

The first set was delivered from Nippon Sharyo in November 2004, and entered service on 19 March 2005.[6]

Withdrawal

Odakyu initially planned to refurbish the 50000 series trains.[7] However, as a result of the train type's overall difficulty to repair and advanced technology required to do so, Odakyu announced on 17 December 2021 its decision to retire them.[2] On 29 January 2022, set 50002 was adorned with decorations to commemorate the type's withdrawal.[8]

The trains were relegated from regular service to special service only on 11 March 2022,[9] and are planned to be completely retired in 2023.[10]

References

  1. ^ Romancecar Lineup | Ltd. Exp. Romancecar | Odakyu Electric Railway Archived 6 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b c "小田急ロマンスカーで一番映える車両「VSE」が引退を余儀なくされた理由" [Why the Odakyu "VSE" Romancecar was forced to retire]. NEWS Post Seven (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  3. ^ Osano, Kagehisa (16 April 2022). "｢ロマンスカーVSE｣デザイナーが明かす誕生秘話 | 特急･観光列車" ["Romancecar VSE" designer reveals the story behind its design]. Toyo Keizai Online (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "新車速報 小田急電鉄 50000形 「VSE」" [New vehicle guide: Odakyu Electric Railway 50000 series "VSE"]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 45, no. 526. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. February 2005. pp. 84–88.
  5. ^ Ltd. Exp. Romancecar | Odakyu Electric Railway Archived 23 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "2007 小田急ロマンスカーオールガイド" [2007 Odakyu RomanceCar Comprehensive Guide]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. Vol. 36, no. 277. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. May 2007. pp. 10–13.
  7. ^ "小田急｢白いロマンスカー｣VSE､早すぎる引退理由" [The reason why Odakyu's "VSE" white Romancecar is being retired prematurely]. Toyo Keizai Online (in Japanese). 21 December 2021. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  8. ^ "小田急ロマンスカー「VSE」に記念装飾" [Odakyu Romancecar "VSE" receives commemorative decoration]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Koyusha Co., Ltd. 30 January 2022. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  9. ^ "小田急50000形ロマンスカー「VSE」の定期運用終了" [Regular operation of Odakyu 50000 series "VSE" Romancecars has ended]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 12 March 2022. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  10. ^ "小田急 特急ロマンスカー「VSE」 2022年3月定期運行終了 2023年秋ごろ引退へ". trafficnews.jp (in Japanese). Mediavague Co., ltd. 17 December 2021. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.

External links

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