Odakyu 8000 series


The Odakyu 8000 series is a commuter electric multiple unit train type operated by the private railway operator Odakyu Electric Railway in Japan since 1983.

Formation

Trains are formed as 6- and 4-car sets as shown below, with car 1/7 facing the Odawara, Fujisawa or Karakida end and car 6/10 facing the Shinjuku or Katase-Enoshima end. Trains are mostly used in 6+4 car formations.

6-car sets

The M3 and M2 cars each have two single-arm pantographs.

4-car sets

The M1 and M2 cars each have one single-arm pantograph.

Interior

Passenger accommodation consists of 7-person bench seating situated between the doors with blue upholstery, with smaller bench seats that hold up to 4 at the car ends. Trains refurbished in 2007 have an interior that is remarkably similar to the 4000 series. Some cars have a jump seat that folds up to provide space for wheelchair-bound commuters.

History

Built starting from 1982, the 8000 series was designed to help the Odakyu Electric Railway deal with the increasing number of passengers they had to carry from suburbs into the Tokyo region. The 8000 series was the last Odakyu trainset to use their distinctive ivory body with blue accents; all future Odakyu commuter trains would use unpainted stainless steel bodies with the same blue accents.
Starting from 2002, the 8000 series would undergo a program of refurbishment. Improvements include replacement of LED screens, new variable-frequency drive systems and replacement of the lozenge-style pantographs to single-arm pantographs among others.

Accidents and incidents

On 12 August 2013 at about 6:35pm JST, 8000 series set 8561 was struck by lightning. No passengers were hurt as the train was equipped with lightning arresters; however, as a result of the strike, the train was left stalled for about twenty minutes and needed repairs.