C888 series

The C888 series (C888系) is a commuter and suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the Imperial Railway in Takyoto since 2011.

The first C888 series was delivered to the company on 8 August 2011. It was first used on the Hokusei-Hokutō Line, and ran between and. Not too long after the 1000 series was introduced on the Toyoda Loop Line, which circles the Greater Toyokin Area. The 12-car 2000 series was introduced to the Sakura River Line on 8 May 2012. Further variants are now in development, especially for service in Japan and other interested countries.

The C888 series trains are inspired by the Tak233 series and the Odakyu 1000 series EMU designs. However, Chiteki chose for a narrower body design in order to make the train lighter and have a faster acceleration. Like the Odakyu 50000 series VSE, the traction motors have been enclosed in order to reduce environmental noise around the suburban areas.

Design
The C888 series features two identical sets of main equipment in the case that the primary equipment happens to fails. This was one of the first trains ever operated in Takyoto to ever feature such backup measures.

Due to the increasing disabled population in the areas which the C888 serves, Chiteki decided to integrate an automatic pull-out ramp for those who require a wheelchair or can't walk up stairs efficiently. It can only be activated by the train workers, and the switch is hidden from the public. The train is 2,345 mm, much narrower than the E233 (Tak233) series. This was in order to reduce the weight of the train slightly and increase the acceleration and deceleration speed. The cars have also been made longer than usual in order to make up for the limited space and keep the capacity to normal. There are 4 pairs of doors on each side of the cars instead of 2 to allow better flow of passengers into the narrow train. In the interior, the hanging passenger handles have been made lower in order to help the shorter people have better accessibility to the handles.

The C888 series features a high-tech air filtration system in order to remove any germs or unpleasant smells from the air in the train. All built-in station monitors inside the interior are liquid crystal display screens and have many speakers throughout the cars to alert passengers of any information or incoming stations. The C888 series is the first train built by Chiteki to offer small mood lighting systems in the cars, allowing a peaceful train ride for passengers.

Variants

 * C888-0 series: 10-car sets used on the Hokusei-Hokutō Line
 * C888-1000 series: 10-car sets used on the Toyoda Loop Line and Toyosei Line
 * C888-2000 series: 12-car sets used on the Sakura River Line
 * C888-3000 series: 10-car sets to be used for Aldrich Rail; line is unknown at the time

C888-0 series
The first C888 train was introduced in August 2011 for use on the Hokusei-Hokutō Line, and would replace the aging Odakyu 1000 series that was running on the line at the time. There were 40 orders for 10-car sets, and as of March 2013, there are only 3 remaining to be delivered to the line. It is the oldest of the variants and does not feature as many seats as the later variants.