The Chiba New Town Railway 9000 series (千葉ニュータウン鉄道9000形) was a commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) train type formerly owned by the third-sector railway company Chiba New Town Railway and operated by the Hokuso Railway on the Hokuso Line in Japan from 1984 until 20 March 2017.[1]
The two eight-car trains, 9008 and 9018, were formed as follows, with six motored ("M") cars and two non-powered trailer ("T") cars.[2]
The cars of set 9008 were numbered in sequence from 9001 to 9008, and the cars of set 9018 were numbered in sequence from 9011 to 9018.[2] The two M1 cars each had two lozenge-type pantograph, while the M1' car had one.[2]
The trains were introduced in 1984, coinciding with the opening of the section of the Hokuso Line between Komuro and Chiba New Town Chūō.[3] The trains were initially classified as "2000 series", and formed as six-car sets.[3] The two six-car train sets were lengthened to eight cars each in 1991, coinciding with the start of inter-running services to and from the Toei Asakusa Line.[3] In 1994, the trains were reclassified 9000 series to avoid confusion with the Keikyu 2000 series trains on the Keikyu Main Line, over which the trains also inter-ran.[3]
Set 9008 was withdrawn in 2013, and set 9018 was withdrawn following its last day in service on 20 March 2017, replaced by 9800 series set 9808.[3][4]
