In 2014, Tokyo Metro 7000 Series marked its 40th anniversary since its debut, which still have been running on Yurakucho and Fukutoshin Lines. Especially 10-carriage sets, 7001F, 7002F, 7004F, 7005F, 7010F, and 7018F sets, includes carriages since its debuted, they can be called "the walking dictionary on Yurakucho Line". This time I would like to write the attraction of 7000 Series.
7000 Series debuted in 1974, at the same time as Yurakucho Line's open (between Ikebukuro and Ginza-itchome), and based on antecedent 6000 Series for Chiyoda Line manufactured since 1968. It had almost the same body except the small window above the emergency exit and the place of the carriage number on the front and the same automatic valuable field (AVF) chopper control system. At first the sets were consisted of five carriages and yellow line (see also second photograph). It also used to have side windows whose upper half went down and lower half went up looking like a kanji "田". As the line extended and the timetable rearranged, 340 carriages,thirtyfour 10-carriage sets, had been manufactured until 1989.
First refurbishment of the early twenty sets had started in 1993. Their windows, seating colour, and control equipments were changed and the LED displays above the doors and the space for wheelchair were newly put. Moreover, the destination indicators of all sets had changed to the LED ones.
The open of Fukutoshin Line in 2008 had given 7000 Series a major turning point, which had given 7000 Series the second refurbishment; the line colour (brown, white, and gold one), outside LED, inside LED above the doors which indicating two rows, and the tone informing doors opening and closing had been newly installed or replaced from the old ones. In addition, automatic train operation (ATO) device, and door controller and platform monitor had newly put for the conductorless operation and, for the service on Tokyu Toyoko Line and Yokohama Minatomirai Railway Line, the driver's cab changed to T-shaped one which accelerating and braking are integrated. Some sets had been shortened to 8-carriage and some carriages had scrapped first time. Though some 10-carriage sets had remained the unrefurbished ones only for Yurakucho Line, they had also been scrapped or refurbished by 2010. In 2014 six 10-carriage sets and fifteen 8-carriage sets are existing.
From my point of view, one of the attractive point of 7000 Series is the long-life design, which is looked ahead to the use for over 40 years later. The body made from aluminum alloy makes it available to keep running over 40 years, which is about 10 - 20 years longer than carbon steel ones, and the refurbishments creates the nonstale interiror though it debuted 40 years ago.
As a result, the scrap of 7000 Series hadn't happened for 34 years and the replacement due to the deterioration doesn't come. Why some carriages were scrapped before Fukutoshin Line's open was the arrangement carriages on Yurakucho and Fukutoshin Lines, not getting old. In addition, 10-carriage ones still couples the five since their debut. It is also an attraction and notable point.
In conclusion, 7000 Series has been running for 40 years through changing its interior and equipments as time goes, which is the most attractive point. I still would like to see 7000 Series, which keeps good condition and running according to the first plan.