Keisei 3500 series
Electric multiple unit train type operated by Keisei Electric Railway in Japan
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The Keisei 3500 series (京成3500形) is a commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Keisei Electric Railway in the Tokyo area of Japan since 1972.[2] It was the operator’s first stainless steel train type to be introduced.[3]
| Keisei 3500 series | |
|---|---|
Refurbished 3500 series six-car set 3525 in September 2020 | |
| In service | 1972–present |
| Manufacturers | Nippon Sharyo, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Tokyu Car Corporation |
| Constructed | 1972–1982 |
| Entered service | December 1972 |
| Refurbished | 1996–2001 |
| Number built | 96 vehicles (24 sets) |
| Number in service |
|
| Formation | 8/6/4 cars per set |
| Operators | Keisei Electric Railway, Shibayama Railway |
| Lines served | |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel |
| Doors | 3 pairs per side |
| Maximum speed | 110 km/h (70 mph) |
| Traction system | Resistor control |
| Electric system | 1,500 V DC overhead catenary |
| Current collection | Single-arm pantograph[1] |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
Operations
The 3500 series sets operate on the Keisei Main Line.[2] The eight-car sets were also used on Toei Asakusa Line and Keikyu line inter-running services until they were split into individual four-car sets in 2014, although the unrefurbished sets were not capable of operating on Keikyu lines.[2]
Formations
Originally built as 24 four-car sets, the fleet was subsequently reformed into eight-, six-, and four-car sets.[2]
As of January 2024[update], the fleet consists of five six-car sets and three four-car sets, as well as one four-car set operated by Shibayama Railway.[4]
6-car sets
The six-car sets are formed as shown below. All cars are motored.[1]
| Designation | M2 | M1' | M2 | M1' | M1' | M2 |
|---|
| Designation | M2 | M1' | M1' | M2 | M1' | M2 |
|---|
The M1' cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[1]
4-car sets
The four-car sets are formed as shown below. All cars are motored.[1]
| Designation | M2 | M1' | M1' | M2 |
|---|
The M1' cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[1]
8-car sets
Four eight-car sets were formed as shown below. All cars were motored.[5]
| Designation | M2 | M1' | M1' | M2 | M2 | M1' | M1' | M2 |
|---|
The M1' cars were each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[5]
Interior
Seating consists of longitudinal bench seating throughout.[2]
Interior view of a refurbished set
Priority seating of a refurbished set
Driver's cab of a refurbished set
History
The first 3500 series trains entered service in December 1972.[3]
Major refurbishment of the fleet commenced in 1996, with a total of 56 vehicles refurbished by 2001.[2] Refurbishment involved redesigned front ends with square lights instead of round and upgraded interiors.[6]
Special farewell tours were staged for the last remaining unrefurbished 3500 series set, 3588, on 25 and 26 February 2017.[7]
Four-car set 3540 in December 1984
Unrefurbished 3500 series four-car set 3588 in June 2009
The last unrefurbished 3500 series set, 3588, on a special farewell run in February 2017
Transfer to Shibayama Railway
On 1 April 2013, four-car set 3540 was transferred to Shibayama Railway.[8] The set initially operated in the standard Keisei livery after the transfer, but it was repainted with green and red stripes in April 2022.[9]
On 25 February 2026, Shibayama Railway announced its plans to withdraw its 3500 series set at the end of March of that year.[10] Shibayama Railway announced on 13 March that it would be replaced by a 3600 series four-car set from 1 April.[11]
Shibayama Railway set 3540 in May 2022
