Kita-Osaka Kyuko 8000 series

The Kita-Osaka Kyuko 8000 series (北大阪急行電鉄8000形), branded as Polestar, is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway on the Kitakyū Namboku Line in north Osaka since 1986, with through service to the Osaka Metro Midōsuji Line.

Kita-Osaka Kyuko 8000 series Polestar
A refurbished 8000 series set, August 2013
In service	1986–present
Manufacturer	Alna Kōki
Replaced	2000 series
Constructed	1986–1993 (9-car sets), 1995–1996 (additional 10th cars)
Refurbished	2012, 2014–2015, 2018–
Scrapped	2014–
Number built	70 vehicles (7 sets)
Number in service	30 vehicles (3 sets)
Number preserved	2 vehicles and 1 cab end
Number scrapped	37 vehicles (4 sets)
Successor	9000 series
Formation	10 (originally 9) cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	8001–8007
Capacity	1,280 per set
Operators	Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway
Depots	Momoyamadai Depot
Lines served	Namboku Line Midōsuji Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminium
Width	2,890 mm (9 ft 6 in)
Height	3,745 mm (12 ft 3.4 in)
Doors	4 pairs per side
Maximum speed	70 km/h (43 mph)
Traction system	Variable-frequency (GTO)
Acceleration	3.0 km/(h⋅s) (1.9 mph/s)
Deceleration	3.5 km/(h⋅s) (2.2 mph/s) (service) 4.5 km/(h⋅s) (2.8 mph/s) (emergency)
Electric system(s)	750 V DC
Current collector(s)	Third rail
Safety system(s)	WS-ATC
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

Design

Rooftop AC condenser unit of Kitakyū 8000 series, April 2008

The 8000 series was introduced in 1986 to replace ageing rolling stock which were mostly derived from Osaka Municipal Subway rolling stock. It was also the first Kitakyū rolling stock type to feature air conditioning in the passenger interiors and driver cabs. It was also one of the three recipients of the 27th Laurel Prize of the Japan Railfan Club.^[1]

Formation

As of 1 April 2015^[update], five out of the original seven 10-car sets were in service, formed as shown below, with five motored ("M") cars and five non-powered trailer ("T") cars, and car 1 at the Senri-Chuo end.^[2]

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Designation	Tc1	M0	Te	M1	M2'	Te'	T	M1	M2	Tc2
Numbering	800x	810x	820x	830x	840x	850x	860x	870x	880x	890x

Each car includes a wheelchair space.^[2]

History

The first train, set 8001, was introduced on 1 July 1986.^[1]

Withdrawals commenced in 2014, with 8002 in August 2014, and set 8004 in February 2015.^[2] Set 8001 carried a special headboard from late February 2016 to mark its scheduled withdrawn in March 2016.^[1]

Preserved examples

• 8001 + 8901 cab end: Momoyamadai Depot, Osaka
• 8005: Privately preserved in Tamba-Sasayama, Hyōgo.