A 7700 Series in standard colors at Unoki Station

An original 7000 Series on the Toyoko Line circa 1980 (Photo courtesy of Shellparakeet)

A 7700 Series in Kabuki colors at Unoki Station

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Tokyu 7000/7700 Series

Operated on the Tokyu Tamagawa and Ikegami Lines

In Service:
1962 - 1999 (7000 Series)
1987 - Present (7700 Series)
Top Speed:
85km/h (Service)
120km//h (Design)
Length: 18000mm
Width: 2800mm
Consist/Formation:
2 motorized cars + 1 trailer car (3 cars - 7700)
2, 6 or 8 motorized cars (7000 Series)
Electric System: 1500v DC through overhead wires
Control: 
Resistance (7000 Series)
VVVF inverters with GTO elements (7700 Series)

The 7000 Series was a three-door commuter type electric multiple unit developed by Tokyu as the first Japanese train to be built entirely of stainless steel. They were operated on the Tokyu Toyoko Line with direct service onto the Hibiya Line.

Tokyu bought the technology to build these stainless steel cars from the American company Budd, one of the pioneers in the field, and would almost exclusively build stainless steel cars from then on.

These trains were not equipped with air conditioning and were beginning to show their age by the mid 1980s. However, the stainless steel bodies were still as good as new.

It was decided to update these trains by switching the bogies to more modern ones and to convert them from resistance control to inverter controlled. Air conditioning equipment was also added. The updated trains were renamed the 7700 Series.

These trains were originally operated on the Mekama Line but were moved to the Tamagawa Line when the Mekama Line was split into the Meguro and Tamagawa Lines in the year 2000. Some trains were also placed on the Ikegami Line and continue to be operated there.

Did you know?
The black and red paint schemes used on some 7700 Series trains are known as "Kabuki colors" due to the resemblance to the makeup used by kabuki actors.