Nagoya Railroad (Meitetsu) will introduce the new 500 series commuter trains from 2026 for mutual through-running between the Toyoda Line, Inuyama Line, via the Tsurumai Line of the Nagoya Municipal Transportation Bureau.
Meitetsu has been operating the 100 series trains, which have a 20m body and four doors on each side, which are the same specifications as the Tsurumai Line, for this section since 1978. The impressive exterior of the steel car body, which is painted scarlet red, and the distinctive interior, such as fixed side windows and horizontal curtains, still stand out on the subway line.
The new 500 series, the first in about 38 years, is a mutual through-running compatible version that adopts the same state-of-the-art technology as the 9500 series, which is in use on the Nagoya Main Line and other lines. By using silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors in the VVVF inverter control device, it has energy-saving performance that reduces power consumption by up to 35% compared to the 100 series.
The front exterior has an asymmetrical design, and in addition to the traditional red color of Meitetsu, the blue used in the company’s management vision slogan “Meitetsu x WAO!” has been added to create a unique look. The interior of the car has a soft atmosphere, with large rounded wood-grain armrests, beige walls, and bright blue seat fabric.
The first 6-car 500 series train will be introduced in fiscal 2026, and plans are in place to gradually build new 500 series trains to replace the aging 100 series trains.
