A 15000 Series train awaits departure (Courtesy of Uraken.net)

15000 Series trains are similar in appearance to later 05 Series trains, but can be distuinguished by their wider doors (Courtesy of Uraken.net)

Tokyo Metro 15000 Series

Operated on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, JR Chuo Line and Sobu Main Line and Toyo Rapid Railway Line

In Service: 2010 - Present
Top Speed:
100km/h (Service)
110km/h (Design)
Acceleration: 3.3km/h/s
Deceleration:
3.5km/h/s (Regular)
5km/h/s (Emergency)
Length:
20520mm (End cars)
20000mm (Middle cars)
Width: 2800mm
Consist/Formation:
5 motorized cars + 5 trailer cars (10 cars)
Electric System: 1500v DC through overhead wires
Gauge: 1067mm (Narrow)
Number built: 130 cars

The 15000 Series is a four-door commuter-type electric multiple unit designed to replace older 05 Series trains on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line.

The Tozai Line is one of the most crowded train lines in all of Japan and the 15000 Series was developed especially to alleviate the crowds during rush hours.

Tokyo Metro decided to re-adopt the wide doors it used on some of the 05 Series trains which were effective in reducing the amount of time it takes to get on and off a crowded train. Because of this design, 15000 Series trains have fewer seats than trains with regular-sized doors.

The basic design of the train is based heavily on the later 05 Series trains, but also borrows many features from the earlier 10000 Series. The body is constructed of two layers of aluminum alloy, a feature common in many modern Hitachi-built trains.

The trains are driven by high-power AC motors coupled with a variable frequency drive using IGBT elements. Though similar in design to the 05 Series, the 15000 Series is even more  energy efficient.