First Semboku Rapid Railway 12000 series delivered

[Densha]

On October 31st, the first 12000 series EMU for the Semboku Rapid Railway was delivered. It is very much derived from the Nankai 12000 series and will be used on limited express through-services between the Nankai Koya Line and the Semboku Rapid Railway Line. The Semboku 12000 series is scheduled to be in service from February 2017, and will probably replace the Nankai 11000 series on the aforementioned through-services.

 

Japanese article:

http://railf.jp/news/2016/11/02/180000.html

 

A few pics:

https://twitter.com/Express_kh/status/792889494445838336

https://twitter.com/Express_kh/status/793688605373767682

[ToniBabelony]

From ayakoi:

 

 

I wonder about the windows... Are those coated with an annoying sticker (with those tiny holes), or is this something new?

 

Here is the current 11000 Series in use on the Semboku Liner service:

 

 

I also wonder about the profitability of this service, as most videos I see about this service, the whole 4-car train has only a handful of people riding it. Also, some critical articles written about this service: http://syknews.net/archives/911.html When you actually search for "泉北ライナー" on google, one of the suggestions is "泉北ライナー いらない" (The Senboku Liner is not needed)... I wonder how long this service will last and if the purchase of dedicated rolling stock was such a good idea (probably will be sold/leased to Nankai if not in use by Senboku).

[Densha]

I am also slightly puzzled by the windows, but I think they are some sort of blinds. Or just temporary stickers to prevent people from looking inside until the train goes into service? It's rather confusing.

[Nick_Burman]

I am also slightly puzzled by the windows, but I think they are some sort of blinds. Or just temporary stickers to prevent people from looking inside until the train goes into service? It's rather confusing.

 

Blinds pulled down.

 

Cheers NB

[Nick_Burman]

From ayakoi:

 

I wonder about the windows... Are those coated with an annoying sticker (with those tiny holes), or is this something new?

 

Here is the current 11000 Series in use on the Semboku Liner service:

 

I also wonder about the profitability of this service, as most videos I see about this service, the whole 4-car train has only a handful of people riding it. Also, some critical articles written about this service: http://syknews.net/archives/911.html When you actually search for "泉北ライナー" on google, one of the suggestions is "泉北ライナー いらない" (The Senboku Liner is not needed)... I wonder how long this service will last and if the purchase of dedicated rolling stock was such a good idea (probably will be sold/leased to Nankai if not in use by Senboku).

 

I wonder if they will operate like the Nankai "Southern" trainsets, permanently stuck to the front/tail of another train?

 

Cheers NB

Edited November 2, 2016 by Nick_Burman

[ToniBabelony]

I wonder if they will operate like the Nankai "Southern" trainsets, permanently stuck to the front/tail of another train?

Probably not, as their service pattern provies less stops than any other train. To keep this train running, it really makes more sense to make it an all exclusive service.

[Sr.Horn]

Semboku Rapid Railway announced new 9300 series trainsets for the Izumichuo - Namba line. New trains are based on Nankai 8300 Series and will star service by 2023.

 

http://www.semboku.jp/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/9300.jpg

http://www.semboku.jp/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/0d40a5e4a645fc6b96e767d64ac0878e.jpg

 

Source:

 

http://www.semboku.jp/cat_news/13829/

 

 

Nankai 8300: