Ichibata Electric Railway Co., Ltd. is the name of two related, yet different companies in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Ichibata Denki Tetsudō Kabushiki-gaisha was a railway operator until 2006, when it became a holding company of the Ichibata Group, spinning off its railway division to its newly founded Ichibata Densha Kabushiki-gaisha. Although the two companies have different names in Japanese, in English they are referred to by the English name of their parent holding company. The company name is often shortened to Bataden.
1000 series: 2-car EMUs converted from former Tokyu 1000 series cars
2100 series: 2-car EMUs converted from former Keio 5000 series cars
5000 series: 2-car EMUs converted from former Keio 5000 series cars
7000 series: Single-car EMUs introduced on 11 December 2016
1000 series
In 2014, four former Tokyu 1000 series intermediate cars were resold to the Ichibata Electric Railway, and reformed as two 2-car 1000 series sets with the addition of new cab ends. These entered service on 9 February 2015.
Formations
Car identities
The former identities of the fleet are as shown below.
, two 7000 series cars were in operation. While all cars carry the same basic livery of white with orange stripes on the upper and lower body, each car has a different theme and colouring on the ends and body sides.
The last 3000 series set was withdrawn following its final run on 22 January 2017, and scrapped in February 2017.
History
Kita Matsue Line
The Ichibata Light Railway was founded on 6 April 1912. The company opened the line from Izumo Imaichi Station to Unshuhirata on 29 April 1914, with services hauled by steam locomotives. The line was extended to Ichibata Station on 4 February 1915. Electric trains began operating on the line from 1 October 1927, following electrification of the line at 1,500 V DC. The line was extended to the then-named Kita-Matsue Station on 5 April 1928. Driver-only operation commenced on 20 February 1997.
Taisha Line
The 8.3 km line from Kawato Station to Izumo Taisha-mae Station opened in 1930, following its electrification at 1,500 V DC.
