Kintetsu 1A and 1B series


The Kintetsu 1A series and 1B series are commuter electric multiple unit train types on order by the private railway operator Kintetsu Railway in Japan.

Overview

Kintetsu Railway announced in 2022 its plans to replace approximately 450 ageing railcars introduced in the 1960s.
Based on the design of the 8A series introduced in 2024, the 1A and 1B series were developed for use on Kintetsu's Osaka, Nagoya, Toba, and Yamada lines. A total of five 1A series 4-car sets were planned for introduction in January 2026, with three 1B series 3-car sets planned for introduction in fiscal 2026 on the Nagoya Line.

Design

The 1A and 1B series follow similar internal specifications to those of the 8A series, featuring rotating transverse seating bays and spaces. The 1A series also features onboard toilets. The trains carry a similar livery to that of the 8A series, although they feature an "evolutionary blue" colour scheme oweing to their operational range, instead of the 8A series' "traditional red".
The 1A series is equipped with rheostatic braking and additional disc brakes to improve performance on steep downhill gradients.

History

The first 1A series set, 1A01, was delivered from the Kinki Sharyo factory in Higashiosaka, Japan, in 2025. By 11 January 2026, four 1A series sets had been built.
The 1A series entered revenue service on 16 January 2026. The type was the first new commuter train to be introduced on the Nagoya Line since the 5800 series in 1997.