The Tokyo Metro Ginza Line is the oldest subway line in Asia, commencing revenue services on 30 December 1927, operating as the Tokyo Underground Railway between Ueno and Asakusa. The first rolling stock on the Tokyo Underground Railway were designated as the Tokyo Underground Railway 1000 Series, with a total of 21 single cars produced.
Today, the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line operates with new Tokyo Metro 1000 Series trains after phasing out the previous 01 Series trains, and 2 of the newest sets out of 40, 1139F and 1140F, were designed with the Tokyo Underground Railway 1000 Series in mind as a nod to the heritage of the underground railway history of Tokyo.
The amazing retro interior of Tokyo Metro 1000 Series Set 1139F on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.
The hand grips follow closely to the same design used 90 years ago.
The seats come in the classic green fabric exactly as how older trains have it. Grab poles are also painted to replicate brass, just as how it was in the past.
The ancient standard of having a separate emergency lamp is also adapted for this 2-year-old train.
The retro train comes with modern fixtures as well such as the usual dynamic route map in place on all other Tokyo Metro 1000 Series trains.
The hand grip pattern also follows the modern heavy capacity layout, as compared with the older blank fixtures by the doors.
Similar with modern trains, the priority area is marked in red, though this wasn’t a thing back in 1927.
The red seats in the priority area with yellow grab poles for easier visibility in accordance to modern accessibility rules.
The special integrated car number and Nippon Sharyo cast builder plate on board.
The yellow hand grips in the priority area also follow closely to the 90-year-old hand grip design.
A poster on board advertising the retro train comparing it with the original Tokyo Underground Railway 1000 Series preserved in the Tokyo Metro Museum.
Disembarking from the retro train at Ueno.
Platform screen doors are installed at Ueno.
The car number by the side of the retro train car are also casted as compared to the modern sticker used everywhere nowadays.
Instead of bearing the usual Tokyo Metro logo, the retro trains bear the old Tokyo Underground Railway logo instead.
The destination sign uses LED though. I guess this is a standard now.
Tokyo Metro 1000 Series Set 1139F departing from Ueno towards Shibuya.
The single headlight of the retro sets follow closely to the Tokyo Underground Railway 1000 Series rather than the twin headlights of the normal Tokyo Metro 1000 Series.
Overall, an excellent ride on board the special retro Tokyo Metro Ginza Line 1000 Series Set 1139F. On top of maintaining Asia’s oldest subway so well and improving it to the modern era, Tokyo Metro has clearly not forgotten about its roots to bother replicating one of their modern trains to preserve how trains originally ran on the same line. The retro sets also show that it is possible to blend the best of older designs together with the best modern touches, making the retro Tokyo Metro 1000 Series possibly one of the most beautiful train sets in the world.