In service February 2012– Refurbishment 2011–2012 Formation 3 cars per set | Replaced 1000 series Number in service 12 vehicles (4 sets) Capacity 448 | |
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The Fujikyu 6000 series (富士急行6000系, Fuji Kyūkō 6000-kei) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Fuji Kyuko (Fujikyu) on the Fujikyuko Line in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, since February 2012. A total of four three-car trains were introduced during fiscal 2011 and 2012, converted from former JR East 205 series EMU cars.
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Design
Converted from former JR East 205 series EMU cars, the exterior and interior design of the 3-car 6000 series EMUs was overseen by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka. The second set to enter service, 6001, uses LED lighting throughout.
The first set, 6501, was converted from full-production 205 series cars, and has single-pane passenger windows, while subsequent sets (6001 onward) were converted from pre-production 205 series cars and have two-pane passenger windows.
Operations
The 6000 series trains operate on the 26.6 km Fujikyuko Line in Yamanashi Prefecture, which runs between Ōtsuki and Kawaguchiko, and are normally used on all-stations "Local" services.
Formation
The 6000 series are formed as 3-car sets as shown below, with car 1 at the Fujisan end. The first set in service, 6501, was converted from three cars of former Keiyo Line 205 series set KeYo 22. The second set, 6001, was converted from three cars of former Keiyo Line set KeYo 25.
The Mc cars are equipped with two FPS33E single-arm pantographs (only one normally used).
Conversion
The first set of three former Keiyo Line 205 series cars was transferred in unpainted form from JR East's Nagano Works to the Fujikyuko Line in October 2011. Modifications involved transplanting a driving cab onto a former intermediate motored car, the provision of LED destination indicators, and passenger-operated door buttons.
The second set (former Keiyo Line set KeYo 25) was transferred to the Fujikyuko Line in January 2012.
Driver training commenced in February 2012, with the units still in unpainted form.
Entry into service
The first set entered revenue service on 29 February 2012 (a date which can be read as fu-ji-kyu in Japanese). A formal debut event was staged on 18 March 2012, from which date, set 6501 also entered revenue service.
A further four former 205 series cars were purchased from JR East in November 2016.
Livery variations
In September 2016, set 6501 received a special red and white livery based on that of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn in Switzerland to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of a sister railway agreement with the line.