Kintetsu 30000 series

Kintetsu 30000 series
A 30000 series set leading an eight-car consist in 2023
In service1978–present
ManufacturerKinki Sharyo
Family name
  • Vista Car III (Original)[1]
  • Vista EX (Post-refurbishment)
Constructed1978–1985
Entered serviceDecember 1978
Number built60 vehicles (15 sets)
Number in service60 vehicles (15 sets)
Formation4 cars per trainset
Operators Kintetsu Railway
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel[2]
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction systemResistor control[2]
Traction motorsMitsubishi Electric MB-3127-A motor[3]
Acceleration2.5 km/(h⋅s) (1.6 mph/s)[4]
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC overhead line
Current collectionPantograph
BogiesKD-83 (motored), KD-83A (trailer)[3]
Safety system(s)Kintetsu ATS
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Notes/references
This train won the 22nd Blue Ribbon Award in 1979.

The Kintetsu 30000 series (近鉄30000系, Kintetsu 30000-kei) is a limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Kintetsu Railway since 1978.

Design

The 30000 series sets were built as four-car sets with the two intermediate cars being bilevel cars.[5] The end cars are based on the 12400 series trains which entered service from 1977.[6]

Operations

As of 2025, 15 four-car sets are in service. Some sets operate in multiple with other four- or two-car general-use limited express train types and two 30000 series sets occasionally couple together in revenue service.[5]

Formations

Sets are formed as shown below.[7]

Designation Mc1 T1 T2 Mc2
Numbering 30200 30100 30150 30250

Interior

  • Interior view of a refurbished end car in April 2010
  • Upper deck seating of a refurbished bilevel car in April 2007
  • Lower deck seating of a refurbished bilevel car in July 2007
  • Interior view of a twice-refurbished end car in April 2013
  • Upper deck seating of a twice-refurbished bilevel car in April 2013
  • Compartment seating of a twice-refurbished bilevel car in April 2013

History

The first set was delivered from the Kinki Sharyo factory in November 1978.[8] The 30000 series fleet entered service from December of that year.[1] The train type was the recipient of the Blue Ribbon Award in 1979.[5]

In 1988, the fleet underwent modifications to be capable of operating at a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).[6]

On 12 November 2015, Kintetsu announced that its general-use limited express trains would receive a new white, gold, and yellow livery.[9] The first set to be repainted, V09, returned to service in July 2016.[10]

Refurbishment

Since 1996, the fleet underwent a programme of refurbishment. The upper deck of the bilevel cars was rebuilt with continuous curved windows.[6][5] Following the refurbishment, the 30000 series trains are nicknamed "Vista EX".[1]

From 2010, the entire fleet underwent another programme of refurbishment which included converting the lower deck seating areas of the bilevel cars to compartment seating similar to those in yacht cabins.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c "昔も今も個性が光る｢私鉄特急｣名車列伝" [A collection of famous "private railway limited express" cars that still stand out today]. Toyo Keizai Online (in Japanese). Japan. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b "新型名阪特急「ひのとり」があらわにした、近鉄の抱える「課題」は" [The new Nagoya-Osaka limited express "Hinotori" reveals the "challenges" Kintetsu faces]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan. 8 June 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b "特集： '78～'79 新車のすべて" [Special Feature: All about new cars from 1978 to 1979]. Railway Journal (in Japanese). 145 (March 1979 issue). Japan: 14–20. 1979.
  4. ^ "特集： 近鉄特急" [Special feature: Kintetsu Limited Express]. Railway Pictorial (in Japanese). 505 (December 1988 Special Issue). Japan: 183–185. 1988.
  5. ^ a b c d "近鉄特急ビスタカー､今も斬新｢2階建て｣の伝統" [Kintetsu Vista Car limited express: The innovative "two-story" tradition continues]. Toyo Keizai Online (in Japanese). Japan. 14 March 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d "え、もう30年選手!?な私鉄の看板特急たち 新型に負けない? 揺るぎないブランドと安心感" [What? It's already 30 years old!? Private railway's flagship express trains are as good as new models? Unwavering brand and reliability]. Traffic News (in Japanese). Japan: Mediavague Co., Ltd. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  7. ^ Mitsuteru Teramoto & Motoichi Hayashi (May 1985). 決定版 近鉄特急 [The definitive Kintetsu Limited Express] (in Japanese). Japan: J.R.R. p. 38.
  8. ^ "特集●'78～'79新車のすべて" [Special Feature: All about the new trains from 1978 to 1979]. Railway Journal (in Japanese). 145 (March 1979 issue). Japan: 14–20. 1979.
  9. ^ "近鉄特急22000系「ACE」リニューアル車両12月デビュー! 新名阪特急も検討中" [Kintetsu's 22000 series "ACE" limited express train will debut in December! New Nagoya-Osaka limited express train also under consideration]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  10. ^ "【近鉄】"ビスタEX"新塗装車登場" [[Kintetsu] Newly painted "Vista EX" cars now available]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2025.

 

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