A 7000 Series heading for Yokohama (Courtesy of Uraken.net)

Sotetsu 7000 Series

Operated on the Sotetsu Main Line and Sotetsu Izumino Line

In Service: 1975 - Present
Top Speed: 100km/h (Service)
Length: 20000mm
Width:
2880mm (End cars)
2800mm (Middle Cars)
Consist/Formation:
6 motorized cars + 4 trailer cars (10 cars)
4 motorized cars + 4 trailer cars (8 cars)
Electric System: 1500v DC through overhead wires

The 7000 Series is a four-door commuter type electric multiple unit designed by Sotetsu to become the mainstay of its fleet.

By the 1970s, Sotetsu had confirmed the value of operating light-weight aluminum alloy cars and decided to build all of its new trains out of aluminum. The 7000 Series was the first mass produced train of this type operated by Sotetsu.

Though its light-weight construction was impressive at the time, there was nothing revolutionary about it mechanically. The 7000 Series is not equipped with features such as regenerative braking and field chopper control, both of which can be found on Tokyu Corporation trains built around the same time.

Like its predecessors, the 7000 Series is equipped with Hitachi-style electromagnetic straight air brakes. This equipment is used almost exclusively by Sotetetsu and is operated in a similar fashion to automatic air brakes.

7000 Series trains are currently being replaced by newer trains based on JR East designs.