TWR 70-000 series

The Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit 70-000 series (東京臨海高速鉄道70-000形) is a DC commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated in the Tokyo area of Japan by the Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit. The train was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and first entered revenue service in 1996. Its design is based on the 209 series.

Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit 70-000 series
Set Z3 in June 2022
In service	1996–Present
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Constructed	1995–2004
Refurbished	2011–2018
Number built	86 vehicles
Number in service	80 vehicles (8 sets) (+6 vehicles converted to 209-3100 series)
Successor	TWR 71-000 series
Formation	10 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	Z1–3, Z6–10
Operators	Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit
Depots	Yashio Depot
Lines served	R Rinkai Line JA Saikyō Line ■ Kawagoe Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Train length	200.84 m (658 ft 11 in)
Car length	20.42 m (67 ft 0 in) (end cars) 20 m (65 ft 7 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
Height	4,067 mm (13 ft 4.1 in)
Doors	Sliding, 4 pairs per side
Maximum speed	110 km/h (68 mph)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Current collection	Pantograph
Safety system(s)	ATS-P, ATC
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Formations

As of 1 April 2011^[update], eight 10-car sets, numbered Z1 to Z3 and Z6 to Z10, are based at Yashio Depot in Tokyo (accessed via a spur located between Tennōzu Isle Station and Tokyo Teleport Station). These sets are formed as follows with six motored ("M") cars and four non-powered trailer ("T") cars.^[1]

	← Shin-Kiba Ōsaki, Ōmiya, Kawagoe →
Car No.	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
Designation	Tc2A	M1A	M2A	T2A	M1A	M2B	T2A	M1A	M2A	Tc2B
Numbering	70-xx0	70-xx1	70-xx2	70-xx3	70-xx4	70-xx5	70-xx6	70-xx7	70-xx8	70-xx9

• Cars 3, 6, and 9 are each fitted with one lozenge-type pantograph.^[1]
• Cars 1 and 10 have wheelchair space.
• Car 4 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.

History

6-car 70-000 series set in December 2002

Four 4-car trains were originally built and entered service in 1996 when the Rinkai Line opened between Shin-Kiba and Tokyo Teleport. A fifth train was built in 1999 for service expansion, and a sixth was built in 2001 for the extension of the line to Tennōzu Isle. In 2002, for the opening of the entire line to Ōsaki, the first five trains were extended to 6 cars, the sixth train was extended to 10 cars, and four new 10-car trains were built, for a total of five 6-car and five 10-car trains. The 10-car trains were also used on through services to/from the JR Saikyō Line.

From October 2004, the five 6-car trains were reformed as three 10-car trains. Six new trailer cars were built for the conversion, while six surplus cab and motor cars were sold to JR East to create 209-3100 series EMUs used on the Hachikō Line and Kawagoe Line.^[2]

209-3100 series conversions

See also: 209 series § 209-3100 series

JR East 209-3100 series, April 2017

Six former 70-000 series cars were converted in 2004 and 2005 to become 209-3100 series EMUs for use by JR East. The subsequent identities of these cars are as shown below. (The former car numbers were reused when other spare cars were renumbered.)^[2]

Former car number	New car number	New set number	Date returned to service
70-020	KuHa 209-3101	71	14 March 2005
70-027	MoHa 209-3102	72	16 December 2004
70-028	MoHa 208-3102	72	16 December 2004
70-029	KuHa 208-3101	71	14 March 2005
70-030	KuHa 209-3102	72	16 December 2004
70-039	KuHa 209-3102	72	16 December 2004

Future plans

The fleet of 70-000 series was expected to be replaced by a new train type in 2024.^[3] The design concept for its successor, the 71-000 series, was unveiled on 6 November 2023.^[4] The new trains, however, entered revenue service in October 2025;^[5] the full fleet of eight sets is expected to be in service by fiscal 2027.^[6]

In June 2025, it was announced that some 70‑000 series sets would be transferred to JR Kyushu to replace life-expired 103 series trains on the Chikuhi Line.^[7]