The is a

limited express A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes. Japan The term "limited express" is a common ...

electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a numbe ...

(EMU) train type operated in Japan by the

private railway A private railway is a railroad run by a private business entity (usually a corporation but not need be), as opposed to a railroad run by a public sector. Japan In Japan, , commonly simply ''private railway'', refers to a public transit railway o ...

operator

Nankai Electric Railway is a private railway in Japan, founded in 1884. The name ''Nankai'' (which means "South Sea") comes from the company's routes along the Nankaidō, the old highway that ran south from the old capital, Kyoto, along the sea coast. Nankai predates a ...

. These 6-car trains were introduced in 1994 on the new '' Rapi:t'' limited express service on the Nankai Airport Line serving

Kansai International Airport Kansai International Airport ( ja, 関西国際空港, Kansai Kokusai Kūkō) commonly known as is the primary international airport in the Greater Osaka Area of Japan and the closest international airport to the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and K ...

, which opened on 4 September 1994.

Operations

The 50000 series is used on the Airport Line ''Rapi:t'' limited express services. The trains run between Namba and Chiyoda Depot, and have also been used occasionally on special-event services to Wakayamashi and Misakikoen. Since November 2022, the type has also been used on ''Semboku Liner'' limited express services on the

Semboku Rapid Railway Line The is a railway line in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, operated by the private railway operator . The line connects Izumi-Chūō Station and Nakamozu Station, with through operations to and from the Nankai Kōya Line up to Namba Station in sou ...

Design

The external styling of the train was the work of

Hiroyuki Wakabayashi is a Japanese architect. One of his first major notable works was a pickle shop in his native Kyoto in 1990, followed by Humax Pavilion in Tokyo's Shibuya. His 1995 design for the '' Rapi:t'' express train that links Osaka's Namba Station with ...

, an architect who was also responsible for designing Uji Station on the

Keihan Uji Line The is a 7.6-km long commuter rail line in Kyoto, Japan, operated by the Keihan Electric Railway. It connects Chushojima Station on the Keihan Main Line in Fushimi, Kyoto and Uji Station in Uji, Kyoto, forming an alternative route to JR West's ...

. The design theme was "Outdated Future", and is the reason for the train's futuristic and retro styling. The end cars feature streamlined cabs with no gangway connections. The cars are painted an all-over metallic deep navy blue colour. The side windows are elliptical in shape, giving an aircraft-like appearance.

Formation

As of 1 April 2013, the fleet consists of six 6-car sets with three motored ("M") cars and three non-powered trailer ("T") cars formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Wakayama end. * Cars 2 and 5 are each fitted with two cross-arm type pantographs. * Cars 5 and 6 have "Super Seat" accommodation. * Cars 3 and 5 have toilets.

Interior

All seats in standard and super-seat cars (Nos. 5 and 6) are reserved and no smoking. Cars 3 and 5 feature a service counter and vending machines. File:Nankai 50000 Rapit interior.jpg, Standard class interior File:Nankai50000Series Rapit04s4s3104.jpg, "Super Seat" interior

Livery variations

''Mobile Suit Gundam UC × Limited Express Rapi:t Neo Zeon Version'' (April - June 2014)

One trainset was repainted in an all-over red livery in a tie-up coinciding with the release of Episode 7 of the ''

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn is a novel by popular Japanese author Harutoshi Fukui (''Shūsen no Lorelei'', ''Bōkoku no Aegis'', '' Samurai Commando: Mission 1549''). The novel takes place in Gundam's Universal Century timeline. Character and mechanical designs are ...

'' series and to mark the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Nankai Airport Line. The repainted set returned to service on 26 April 2014 and ran until 30 June. File:Nankai 50000 series 201405040809 Neo Xeon.jpg, The red-liveried ''Gundam'' set, May 2014 File:Nankai 50000 series 201405031842 Neo Xeon car05 inside.jpg, Interior of the ''Gundam'' set, May 2014

''Peach × Rapi:t Happy Liner'' (September 2014 - August 2015)

From 7 September 2014, one 50000 series set was reliveried in a special "Peach × Rapi:t Happy Liner" livery as part of a promotional tie-up with the low-cost airline

Peach Aviation , operating as Peach, is a Japanese budget airline. Its head office is at Kansai International Airport and in Tajiri, Osaka, Tajiri, Osaka Prefecture. History Peach was formed in February 2011 as A&F Aviation, a joint venture between All Ni ...

. The reliveried trainset was scheduled to operate until 31 August 2015. File:Nankai 50000 series 20141011 Peach Aviation.jpg, The ''Peach × Rapi:t Happy Liner'' set in October 2014

''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' livery (November 2015 - May 2016)

From 21 November 2015, a 50000 series set was reliveried in a special ''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' black livery to mark the nationwide release of the film '' Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' in December. The reliveried trainset was scheduled to operate until 8 May 2016. File:Nankai 50000 series 201603210950 star wars.jpg, The ''Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' liveried set in March 2016

References

External links

* {{Nankai trainsets Electric multiple units of Japan Train-related introductions in 1994 Nankai Electric Railway rolling stock 1500 V DC multiple units of Japan Tokyu Car multiple units