Sōtetsu introduces Class 13000 EMU
posted on 10th Mar 2026 16:00
On 9 March 2026, the private railway Sagami Tetsudō (also known as Sōtetsu), which is based in Kanagawa Prefecture, in depot in Kashiwadai introduced new Class 13000 EMU. This eight-car Sōtetsu EMU is intended solely for company's own rail network; in other words, the Class 13000 will not be used on through services outside the Sōtetsu network, unlike the slightly older ten-car Class 12000 and 20000 EMUs, which are used on through services to Tokyo via the Tokyu or JR lines.
Sōtetsu operates three commuter lines that span 42.2 km and has another 2.2 km of its own freight branch line:
- The 24.6 km long Main line runs from Yokohama, where passengers can transfer to JR lines, the Tokyu-Toyoko Railway, the Minato Mirai subway, the Keikyu Railway and the Yokohama City subway, to Ebina, where passengers can transfer to the Odakyu Railway.
- The 11.3 km Izumino Line runs from Futamata-gawa Station in Yokohama to Shōnandai Station in Fujisawa.
- The 6.3 km Sōtetsu Shin-Yokohama Line runs from Nishiya to Shin-Yokohama. This new underground connecting line, which opened in 2019 and was extended in 2023, is owned by the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT), with services managed by Sōtetsu.
The exterior design of the Class 13000, which is painted in Yokohama Navy Blue, is based on the concept of "a shape that opens up the future", representing a sea creature that moves forward powerfully by cutting through water pressure. AI design optimisation was applied during the design phase. The train is produced by J-TREC. The bodyshells are made of welded stainless steel. The front part is also made of welded steel. Each car is 20 m long, except for the end cars which are 20.8 m in length. The bodyshell width is 2,950 mm.
The equipment used is common with other models. In principle, it is the Class 12000, which reduces design and maintenance costs. The eight-car EMU comprises four powered cars (No. 2, 3, 6 and 7), two intermediate trailers and two trailing end cars. Each powered axle is equipped with a 140 kW three-phase asynchronous self-ventilated traction motor, giving a total traction power of 2,240 kW. The traction inverters with VVVF control are IGBT-based. The maximum design speed is 120 km/h.
The interior is predominantly grey and incorporates glass and metal to create a harmonious atmosphere. The lighting is designed to change colour tones during the day and at night. The hanging rings are treated with an antibacterial coating and the grip bars are treated to prevent fingerprints. All vehicles are equipped with free space that can accommodate strollers and wheelchairs. The Class 13000 offers 396 seats and space for 1,248 standing passengers.
Commercial services are scheduled to begin on 30 March 2026.
