Nankai 9000 series

The Nankai 9000 series (南海9000系) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the private railway operator Nankai Electric Railway in Japan since 1985.^[1]

Nankai 9000 series
A four-car 9000 series set in August 2015
In service	1985–
Manufacturer	Tokyu Car Corporation
Built at	Yokohama
Constructed	1985–1988
Refurbished	2019–
Number built	32 vehicles (7 sets)
Number in service	32 vehicles (7 sets)
Formation	4/6 cars per trainset
Operators	Nankai Electric Railway
Lines served	Nankai Main Line Nankai Wakayamakō Line Nankai Airport Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	20,700 mm (67 ft 11 in) (intermediate cars) 20,800 mm (68 ft 3 in) (end cars)
Doors	4 pairs per side
Maximum speed	110 km/h (68 mph)
Traction system	Resistor control + Field chopper control (as built) Variable-frequency (as refurbished)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Current collector(s)	Overhead wire
Multiple working	12000 series
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Operations

The 9000 series is used on Nankai Line commuter services singly or coupled with 12000 series EMUs on Southern Premium limited express services to provide non-reserved accommodation.

Formations

As of 1 April 2015^[update], the fleet consists of five four-car sets (9501 to 9509) and two six-car sets (9511 and 9513), formed as follows.^[2]

4-car sets

Designation	Tc1	M1	M2	Tc2
Numbering	95xx	90xx	90xx	95xx

• The "M1" car is fitted with two scissors-type pantographs.^[2]
• The "M2" car is designated as a "mildly air-conditioned" car.^[2]

6-car sets

Designation	Tc1	M1	M2	M1	M2	Tc2
Numbering	95xx	90xx	90xx	90xx	90xx	95xx

• The "M1" cars are fitted with two scissors-type pantographs.^[2]
• The middle "M2" car is designated as a "mildly air-conditioned" car.^[2]

History

The first sets entered service in 1985.^[1]

• 
  Four-car set 9501 in original livery in 1993

From 10 December 2015, four-car sets began operating in multiple with 12000 series sets on Southern limited express services.^[3]

• 
  Four-car set 9509 on a Southern limited express service in December 2016

Refurbishment

As part of the "Nankai My Train" (NANKAI マイトレイン) campaign initiated in 2017, 9000 series set 9501 was refurbished in 2019. The set received a wood-themed interior, variable-voltage/variable-frequency traction motor control, and a limited-time orange livery.^[4][5] The interior was designed based on a customer survey conducted in February 2018.^[6]

• 
  The first refurbished set, 9501, June 2019
• 
  Refurbished interior, January 2024