Enoden Unveils First New Train Model in 20 Years

Enoshima Electric Railway, commonly known as Enoden, unveiled its new "700 Series" trains to industry representatives and the media on January 16. The railway operates between Fujisawa and Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture.

The new trains are scheduled to enter commercial service in fiscal 2026, marking Enoden's first introduction of new rolling stock in 20 years, since the debut of the "500 Series" in 2006. Employee uniforms will also be redesigned to coincide with the launch.

In Kamakura, overtourism has become a serious issue, with large numbers of domestic and international visitors crowding the area around Enoden's Kamakurakokomae Station, which appeared in the anime adaptation of the popular manga Slam Dunk.

In response to requests from local residents to ease congestion, the new trains feature forward-facing seats along one side of each car. The forward-facing seats keep passengers' legs out of the aisle, allowing the 700 Series to carry more people than the current 1000 Series.

Improved Safety and Comfort

Some 1000 Series trains have been in service for more than 45 years, and replacement parts are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Enoden will initially introduce two train sets, totaling four cars, and will gradually replace the aging 1000 Series. The future of the oldest 300 Series trains remains under review, as they are widely regarded as the iconic face of Enoden.

At the unveiling ceremony held at the Gokurakuji rail yard in Kamakura, President Satoshi Kuroda said, "Today marks a major milestone for Enoden. The 700 Series improves safety, reliability, and comfort while also reducing environmental impact."

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(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: The Sankei Shimbun