Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line - 6000 Series retirement date announced

[Socimi]

Set 21 of the 6000 series, with the "S" logo of TRTA, before the 2004 name change to Tokyo Metro. It was shipped to indonesia in 2017.

Photo taken between Tennoyidai and Toride on the JR East Joban Line in 2003.

From http://tsurikakedensha.blogspot.com/2016/11/blog-post_56.html

 

trafficnews.jp article

 

Tokyo Metro announced today that the 6000 series will be retired from the Chiyoda line.

 

The 6000 series was designed in 1968 (exactly 50 years ago) for the then-new Chiyoda Subway Line, entering in service in 1971.*

A ground-breaking train at that time, it was the first in the world to switch from traditional resistor control to the electronic current chopper system.

It was also the first to use regenerative braking togheter with electrically-controlled air brakes.

It's distinctive asymmetrical front, with an emergency staircase hidden behind the door and a more spacious and comfortable cab, became the basis for all subway trains built after.

Between 1995 and 2000, they were refurbished, and their control system changed from Chopper to IGBT-VVVF inverters.

 

With the introduction of the 16000 series in 2010, the fleet of 6000 series trains became smaller and smaller. 8 years later, the last two sets in operation are about to retire.

 

The two sets will be retired from regular service on Friday the 5th of October, but will be used for special services until the 11th of November, when they will be definitively taken out of service.

 

According to trafficnews.jp the special runs are scheduled for the following days: October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28; November 3, 4, 10 and 11 (absolute last run).

The schedule will be Ayase (13:19) -> Kasumigaseki (13:55) - Kasumigaseki (14:16) -> Ayase (14:42).

The sets used will be the last two operating: 6102 (built by Kawasaki in 1971) and 6130 (built by Kinki Sharyo in 1984).

 

Between 2010 and 2016, 26 6000 series sets were sold second-hand to indonesia, where they still operate on the KRL Jabodetabek commuter network in Jakarta.

A 6000 series mock-up, wich was the training simulator for Chiyoda Line drivers (built in 1985 by Nippon Sharyo), is preserved (and "playable") in the Tokyo Metro Museum.

The 3-car prototype 6000 series set is also preserved at Shin-Kiba Depot as a staff training vehicle.

 

* The Chiyoda line actually opened ahead of time in 1969, but the 6000 series prototype still needed to finish testing on the Tozai Line, so 10 sets of the 5000 series (1964) had to be built new.

   When the 6000 series entered service in 1971, they were transferred to the Tozai Line (wich used identical 5000 series trains since it's opening in 1964).

 

[Socimi]

 

Farewell at Ayase station.

 

Thank you 6000 series!