To commemorate its 140th anniversary, Nankai Electric Railway will restore one 10000 series train (4 cars) used on the Southern Express to its original green paint and begin commercial operation on June 4 (Wed), 2025.
The 10000 series debuted in 1985 (Showa 60) as a reserved seat car for the “Southern” Express with reclining seats to improve service on Nankai Line limited express trains. In addition to commuter transportation, it also serves as a connecting service with ferries connecting Wakayama Port and Tokushima Port, and during daytime hours, it is characterized by the fact that long-seat general cars are coupled together as unreserved seats.
When it first appeared, the exterior was a two-tone color of light and dark green, but in line with the renewal of the company’s image in preparation for the opening of Kansai International Airport, the current color scheme of blue and orange stripes on a metallic background has been used since 1992 (Heisei 4). To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the start of operation of the 10000 series, along with the 140th anniversary of the company’s founding, a train restored to its original paint scheme from 33 years ago will run between Namba Station and Wakayama Port Station.
On the Nankai Line, one of the general-purpose 7100 series trains has already been repainted in shades of green since August 2024. It is also planned to be coupled with the 10000 series, which will have its paint restored this time, and this will be the first time in 10 years that an 8-car train will be repainted in the “nostalgic green” since the 10000 series and 7000 series were restored to mark the 130th anniversary of the company’s founding. The restored 10000 series is planned to continue operating until the introduction of the new express train for “Southern” scheduled for the end of fiscal year 2027.
Nankai is also running one 6000 series train on the Koya Line in its former unpainted stainless steel style and one 3000 series train in its original design from the time of the opening of the former Semboku Rapid Railway. Commemorative 140th anniversary goods such as towels and tote bags featuring these reproduction-style trains have also been produced and are on sale at the online shop and Namba Station Service Center.
