Echizen Railway 7000 series


The 7000 series is a DC electric multiple unit train type operated in Japan by the third sector railway operator Echizen Railway since February 2013. Converted from former 119 series EMUs operated by JR Central until 2012, a total of six 2-car sets are scheduled to be introduced between fiscal 2012 and 2013, replacing the older 1101 series, 2101 series, and 2201 series trains.

Design

The 7000 series trains were converted from former 119 series 2-car EMUs operated by JR Central on the Iida Line until they were withdrawn from service in March 2012. Modifications included the following changes:
  • Removal of front-end gangway connections
  • Addition of new headlights above the cab-end centre doors
  • Addition of front-end skirts
  • Addition of single-arm pantographs
  • Removal of toilets
  • Repainting into the standard Echizen Railway livery

Formations

As of 1 April 2013, three two-car sets are in service, formed as follows, with one motored driving car and one non-powered driving trailer car.
The MoHa 7000 cars are fitted with two single-arm pantographs.

Interior

Passenger accommodation retains the original mixture of longitudinal bench seating and transverse 4-seat bays used in the 119 series. The toilet originally fitted to the KuHa car has been removed.

History

The first set, 7001 + 7002 entered service on 4 February 2013, the second set, 7003 + 7004, entered service on 3 March 2013, and the third set, 7005 + 7006, entered service on 18 March 2013. Three more two-car sets were scheduled to be introduced in fiscal 2013.
On 2 March 2025, the second set collided with a falling rock near Hishima Station, damaging and derailing car 7003.

Build details

Set No.Car No.Original JR numberEntry into service
1MoHa 7001KuMoHa 119-53184 February 2013
1KuHa 7002KuHa 118-53114 February 2013
2MoHa 7003KuMoHa 119-53303 March 2013
2KuHa 7004KuHa 118-53223 March 2013
3MoHa 700518 March 2013
3KuHa 700618 March 2013
4MoHa 7007
4KuHa 7008
5MoHa 7009
5KuHa 7010
6MoHa 7011
6KuHa 7012