Enoshima Electric Railway will introduce a new “700 series” EMU, which will significantly reduce the environmental impact compared to existing trains, and will begin operating it from fiscal 2026.
The development concept of this new model, the first in 20 years since the Enoden debuted the 500 series in 2006, is “ENODEN, which weaves thoughts from the everyday to the extraordinary.” A new feature to make the ride more enjoyable for both residents and tourists along the line is the seating arrangement, which allows passengers to look out toward the sea when they sit down.
The mountain side of the car will have the same long seats as before, but the sea side will have single-seater cross seats facing each other. The windows will be covered with film, a first for a train, to reduce glare and allow passengers to enjoy the colorful scenery. The interior of the seats and floors will be decorated in three theme colors inspired by Enoshima and Kamakura, so you’re sure to find something new every time you ride.
The new exterior design is futuristic, with enlarged front glass and sharp eyelines to allow for a commanding view of the Shonan area. Safety and security have also been improved with on-board security cameras, barrier-free access, and multilingual broadcasting.
The 700 series, which is equipped with a VVVF inverter control device and regenerative brakes, will consume approximately 49% less power than the existing 1000 series resistor-controlled cars. The 1000 series, which is the most common type of Enoshima Electric Railway, has some cars that are over 40 years old, so it seems likely that they will be replaced with next-generation cars that are more environmentally friendly and comfortable.
