The is an
electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number o ...
(EMU) train type operated by the
Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company
The is a third-sector railway operating company in Japan. It was established on 15 March 1991 to construct the 58.3 km Tsukuba Express (then known as the ''Jōban Shinsen'') commuter railway line from in Tokyo to in Ibaraki Prefecture. ...
on the
Tsukuba Express
The , or TX, is a Japanese railway line operated by the Third-sector railway, third-sector company Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company, which links Akihabara Station in Chiyoda, Tokyo and Tsukuba Station in Tsukuba, Ibaraki. The route was ...
line in the
Kantō region
The is a geography, geographical region of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. In a common definition, the region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures of Japan, prefectures: Chiba Prefecture, Chiba, Gunma Prefe ...
of Japan since 2005. A total of 84 cars were delivered.
Design
The TX-1000 series trains use unpainted double-skin
aluminium
Aluminium (or aluminum in North American English) is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol Al and atomic number 13. It has a density lower than that of other common metals, about one-third that of steel. Aluminium has ...
body construction assembled with
friction stir welding
Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining process that uses a non-consumable tool to join two facing workpieces without melting the workpiece material. Heat is generated by friction between the rotating tool and the workpiece material, ...
. They are used only on the Akihabara – Moriya section of the Tsukuba Express line, which is electrified at 1,500 V DC, as the rest of the line is electrified at 20 kV AC; services beyond Moriya to Tsukuba are operated by dual-voltage
TX-2000 series sets only.
Formation
Car 2 is fitted with one single-arm pantograph and car 4 is fitted with two.
Interior
Passenger accommodation consists of longitudinal bucket-style seating throughout.
History
The first 6-car prototype was built in March 2003 by
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is a Japanese Public company, public multinational corporation manufacturer of motorcycles, engines, Heavy equipment (construction), heavy equipment, aerospace and Military, defense equipment, rolling stock and ships, headquartered in Minato, To ...
, and 13 more sets were subsequently delivered between March 2004 and January 2005.
References
External links
Tsukuba Express TX-1000 information
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Electric multiple units of Japan
1000 series
Kawasaki multiple units
Train-related introductions in 2005
1500 V DC multiple units of Japan