The “falling” seats on Keihan Electric Railway Co.'s 5,000 series trains will be withdrawn from operation after 50 years, starting in January. (Provided by Keihan Electric Railway Co.)

Photo/Illutration A seat automatically descends in front of the doors on a 5,000 series train. (Provided by Keihan Electric Railway Co.)

OSAKA--Weary commuters boarding a Keihan Electric Railway Co. train during non-rush hours for half a century have often been rewarded with finding a "heavenly" seat. 

Indeed, the special seats have descended from the train ceiling only on these special cars. 

But the novelty will soon head off into retirement as the railway undergoes a modern safety upgrade.

Keihan Electric Railway introduced the descending seats on its 5,000 series trains during Japan’s high economic growth following the end of World War II as it struggled to address heavily crowded trains.

As safety gates are to be set up on platforms, the seat-lifting system will be withdrawn from operation to respond to the changing times, starting in January.

IN OPERATION FOR 50 YEARS

The unique seat was developed in December 1970 when jampacked trains became increasingly problematic in society. The passenger load factor for Keihan Electric Railway reached 250 percent in 1968, making it an urgent task for the company to improve its transport capacity.

Fewer tracks were available at the time and platforms were smaller. There were limitations to operating more trains or increasing the number of cars.

Scrambling to overcome the challenge, the 5,000 series train debuted to reduce the time needed for passengers to get aboard and exit through its five pairs of doors on each side. The new train has fewer seats so more passengers can be accommodated.

The lifted seats fall from the ceiling to be used during non-rush hours in the daytime, allowing riders to relax on them when the carriages are not crowded.

“The cars are made of aluminum, so they are light and can accelerate smoothly,” said Kazuhisa Nakanishi, 59, a Keihan public relations official who once served as a driver. “They still play a central part as carriages.”

A total of 49 cars from seven trains were used as express or semi-express trains during the peak period. Currently, four 5,000 series trains are in operation.

They have long seats like other urban trains, and five pairs of doors, two more than ordinary Keihan carriages, are installed on one side.

In a video from Keihan Electric Railway, a seat lifted near the ceiling above the doors takes 20 or so seconds to slowly and smoothly descend to between the seats on both sides. It appears odd that the doors, not a window, stand behind as the backrest.

Officially known as the seat ascending and descending equipment, the system is not activated during daily operations while passengers are riding. However, the public is occasionally allowed to see how it works, so the function is famed among rail buffs.

END OF THE LINE FOR 5,000 SERIES

However, the decision was made to retire the special train from service for the very reason of its uniqueness. 

Keihan Electric Railway is planning to install platform gates at all its stations for improved safety, but the cars with five pairs of doors on one side are not suitable for the new equipment, according to company representatives.

On Dec. 8, Keihan Electric Railway announced that it will stop operating all the five pairs of doors for the 5,000 series on Jan. 29. After the safety feature is installed at Kyobashi Station by the end of fiscal 2021, 5,000 series cars will be retired in stages under the plan.

The era has ended where the population and economy continued to grow. In addition, the public's work style has drastically changed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“From now on, demand will grow for observing social distancing and avoiding the ‘three Cs’ of closed, crowded and close-contact settings,” Nakanishi said. “I am filled with emotion because the retirement of the 5,000 series cars will mark the end of an era.”

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