Converted from former JR East 205 series EMU cars, the exterior and interior design of the 3-car 6000 series EMUs was overseen by industrial designerEiji Mitooka. The second set to enter service, 6001, uses LED lighting throughout. The first set, 6501, was converted from full-production 205 series cars constructed from 1985 to 1991, and has single-pane passenger windows, while subsequent sets were converted from pre-production 205 series cars and have two-pane passenger windows which were originally from Yamanote Line from 1985 to 2005 and then Keiyo Line from 2005 to 2011.
Operations
The 6000 series trains operate on the 26.6 km Fujikyuko Line in Yamanashi Prefecture, which runs between and, and are normally used on all-stations "Local" services.
Formation
The 6000 series are formed as 3-car sets as shown below, with car 1 at the Fujisan end. The first set in service, 6501, was converted from three cars of former Keiyo Line 205 series set KeYo 22. The second set, 6001, was converted from three cars of former Keiyo Line set KeYo 25. The fifth set, 6502, was converted from three cars of former Saikyo Line set Hae 28. The sixth set, 6701, was converted from three cars of former Hachiko Line set Hae 85.
The Mc cars are equipped with two FPS33E single-arm pantographs.
History
Conversion
The first set of three former Keiyo Line 205 series cars was transferred in unpainted form from JR East's Nagano Works to the Fujikyuko Line in October 2011. Modifications involved transplanting a driving cab onto a former intermediate motored car, the provision of LED destination indicators, and passenger-operated door buttons. The second set was transferred to the Fujikyuko Line in January 2012. Driver training commenced in February 2012, with the units still in unpainted form.
Entry into service
The first set entered revenue service on 29 February 2012. A formal debut event was staged on 18 March 2012, from which date, set 6501 also entered revenue service. A further four former 205 series cars were purchased from JR East in November 2016.
Livery variations
In September 2016, set 6501 received a special red and white livery based on that of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn in Switzerland to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of a sister railway agreement with the line.
