Kintetsu 1A and 1B series
| Kintetsu 1A and 1B series | |
|---|---|
1A series train in January 2026 | |
| In service | 16 January 2026 – present |
| Manufacturer | Kinki Sharyo |
| Constructed | 2025– |
| Number under construction |
|
| Number built |
|
| Formation |
|
| Operator | Kintetsu Railway |
| Lines served |
|
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium alloy |
| Car length | 20.7 m (67 ft 11 in)[1] |
| Width | 2,800 mm (9 ft 2 in)[1] |
| Height | 4,150 mm (13 ft 7 in)[1] |
| Maximum speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Electric systems | 1,500 V DC (overhead line) |
| Current collection | Single-arm pantograph |
The Kintetsu 1A series and 1B series (Japanese: 近鉄1A系・1B系) are commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) 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.[2]
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 (two for the Osaka Line, three for the Nagoya Line) were planned for introduction in January 2026,[3] with three 1B series 3-car sets planned for introduction in fiscal 2026 on the Nagoya Line.[4][5]
Design
The 1A and 1B series follow similar internal specifications to those of the 8A series, featuring rotating transverse seating bays and Yasashiba (やさしば, lit. 'kindness') spaces. The 1A series also features onboard toilets.[5] 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".[3]
The 1A series is equipped with rheostatic braking and additional disc brakes to improve performance on steep downhill gradients.[3]
History
The first 1A series set, 1A01, was delivered from the Kinki Sharyo factory in Higashiosaka, Japan, in 2025.[6][7] By 11 January 2026, four 1A series sets had been built.[8]
The 1A series entered revenue service on 16 January 2026.[1][9] The type was the first new commuter train to be introduced on the Nagoya Line since the 5800 series in 1997.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d "Kintetsu introduces Series 1A EMUs in Nagoya and Osaka". railwaygazette.com. ProMedia Group UK. 28 January 2026. Archived from the original on 29 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ 近鉄、新型一般車両を2024年秋導入へ - 外観は赤、車内はL/Cシート [Kintetsu to introduce new standard train cars in autumn 2024 - red exterior, rotating seats inside]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 17 May 2022. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ a b c 【近鉄】8A系に続く新型車両、大阪線・名古屋線向け「1A系」 2026年1月から営業運転開始！ [(Kintetsu) The new "1A series" train for the Osaka and Nagoya lines, following the 8A series, will begin commercial operation in January 2026!]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 14 November 2025. Archived from the original on 31 December 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ^ 近鉄、大阪線・名古屋線系統に「青い新型車」導入を発表 南大阪線でも赤い「6A系」導入へ [Kintetsu announces introduction of "new blue train cars" on Osaka and Nagoya lines, and will introduce red "6A series" trains on Minami-Osaka line]. tetsudo.com (in Japanese). 12 June 2025. Archived from the original on 9 August 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ a b 近鉄，新形一般車両「1A系・1B系・6A系」を順次導入へ [Kintetsu to gradually introduce new "1A series, 1B series, and 6A series" commuter trains]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha. 12 June 2025. Archived from the original on 22 July 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ Kinoshita, Kenji (10 October 2025). 近鉄の新型車両1A系は「進化の青」近畿車輛から陸送で高安検修場へ [Kintetsu's new 1A series train, "Evolutionary Blue," is transported by land from Kinki Sharyo to Takayasu Inspection and Repair Centre]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 16 November 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ 近鉄大阪線で1A系の試運転実施 [1A series test run on the Kintetsu Osaka Line]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha. 9 October 2025. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ 近鉄1A系の撮影会を開催 [Photo session held for Kintetsu 1A series trains]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha. 11 January 2026. Archived from the original on 11 January 2026. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ a b 近鉄1A系が営業運転を開始 [Kintetsu 1A series enters revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha. 17 January 2026. Archived from the original on 16 January 2026. Retrieved 17 January 2026.