Kintetsu Railway has decided to start operating new general-purpose trains on the Osaka Line and Nagoya Line from January 2026, and on the Minami-Osaka Line from May of the same year.
The 8A series debuted on the Nara Line won the Laurel Award
The 8A series, which is painted in a red and white two-tone color, began operating on the Nara Line (including the Kyoto Line, Kashihara Line, and Tenri Line) on October 7 (Mon), 2024. The 8A series has been praised by many railway enthusiasts for its flexibility in operation, which allows it to be coupled with existing trains, while also improving the comfort of the passenger compartment, and won the Laurel Award from the Japan Railway Friendship Association in 2025.
A total of five four-car 1A series trains will be introduced on the Osaka Line and Nagoya Line (including the Yamada Line and Toba Line) by fiscal year 2025 (two on the Osaka Line and three on the Nagoya Line). In addition, three 3-car “1B series” trains are scheduled to be introduced on the Nagoya Line in fiscal year 2026. These trains will have a different “blue” coloring from the 8A Series, and will create a new Kintetsu image while inheriting the tradition of a two-tone color with white.
Minami-Osaka Line 6A Series is “Red”
Next, on the Minami-Osaka Line (including the Yoshino Line, Nagano Line, and Gose Line), three 4-car “6A Series” trains in the same red color as the 8A Series will debut in fiscal year 2026 and two in fiscal year 2027. The 1A and 6A Series, as well as the 8A Series to be introduced on the Nara Line from fiscal year 2026 onwards, will be equipped with barrier-free multi-purpose toilets to improve convenience for long-term use. This will be the first time that toilets will be installed in general rollingstocks on the Nara Line and Minami-Osaka Line.
Including the 8A series that has already begun operation, Kintetsu will introduce a total of 121 new general-purpose rollingstocks by fiscal 2027, accelerating the replacement of older carriages that are becoming increasingly aging. The model names will vary depending on the line, but all new general-purpose carriages will share the same on-board services, such as “Yasashiba” spaces for strollers and large luggage, and “L/C seats” that can be switched between long seats and cross seats.
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