Tsukuba Express TX-3000 Series

[RossDensha]

Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company (MIR, the owner of the Tsukuba Express) has announced the TX-3000 series.

They will be introduced on the line in spring 2020.

One six car set has been completed already.

http://www.mir.co.jp/company/release/2018/txtx-30002020.html

https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20191025-tx3000/

http://www.mir.co.jp/tx-3000/

I'm not quite sure if it can operate on both the AC/DC sections, because the top of the MIR press release says '30 new AC cars' while down the bottom it says '30 new DC cars'.

I'm inclined to think that it is DC only because the mynavi article says DC only too, but can someone who can read Japanese verify this for me? Thanks!

 

[bikkuri bahn]

They are all dual AC/DC units. 

[Sacto1985]

Isn't that because of the overhead power change on the Tsukuba Express line from 1,500 V DC to 20,000 V AC 50 Hz due to Tsukuba's closeness to the Kakioka Magnetic Observatory?

[RossDensha]

9 hours ago, Sacto1985 said:

Isn't that because of the overhead power change on the Tsukuba Express line from 1,500 V DC to 20,000 V AC 50 Hz due to Tsukuba's closeness to the Kakioka Magnetic Observatory?

That's correct. This change also happens on the Joban line north of Toride.

[RossDensha]

And now it's running.

Not the world's most exciting thing, but I like the huge screens above the doors, not just three separate units. And the lights just above the doors are fancy. 

[Sr.Horn]

Next March, a decision will be made on where it will be extended the Tsukuba Express. Ibaraki Prefecture is strongly supportive of this in order to revitalize the economy and it seems the residents do as well.

There are four proposed extensions:
One to Mito, the largest city of Ibaraki. (green)
One to Ibaraki airport. (red)
One to Tsuchiura, a major JR station in Ibaraki where people change Joban lines. (blue)
And the last one to Mt. Tsukuba, a popular tourism spot. (purple)

 

https://news.railway-pressnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/RPN20220218CVMN01-01.jpg

 

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/4e3a74e6d51688afda024979f330c48cd05f881c

 

Which you prefer? I'm on mixing blue-red-green connecting Tsuchiura (and JR lines), the airport and a secong access to Mito.