Odakyu 7000 series LSE

The Odakyu 7000 series LSE (Luxury Super Express) is an articulated Japanese limited express electric multiple unit operated by the Odakyu Electric Railway from December 1980 to October 2018.
==History==
The 7000 series trains were introduced to replace the old 3000 series trains which had been in service since 1957 in various configurations. The 3000 series sets were designed with a service life of 10 years; considering that these trains had been in service for over 20 years deterioration of the sets was evident and a new set was required to replace them. After a competition was held to determine the final design of the sets, an order was placed for construction in February 1980. The first sets entered service on 27 December 1980. The sets were the recipient of the 1981 Blue Ribbon Award.
The sets were refurbished from 1996 to 1998, gaining a new pink livery based on that of the 10000 series HiSE sets and new observation seats; 7004 would be repainted back into its old livery in commemoration of Odakyu's 80th anniversary. In 2003 tilt bearings were installed experimentally on set 7003 as a proof of concept for the introduction of the 50000 series sets. All 7000 and 10000 series sets were taken out of service from mid-January 2010 as a preventative measure due to defective parts discovered when some 10000 series trains were transferred to the Nagano Electric Railway. Scrapping began in 2010 with set 7002.
In 2012 Odakyu announced that of its remaining fleet of 7000 series sets, one would be repainted back into its original livery and the other scrapped; 7003 was repainted back while 7002 was scrapped, marking the end of operation of the pink-painted trains. With the impending introduction of the 70000 series trains in 2018, Odakyu announced that the 7000 series trains would be retired in 2018. Numerous special events were held to celebrate their retirement, with the trains being removed from regular service on 10 July 2018. The last set, 7003, was retired on 13 October 2018 with a special final run.
One car, 7003, is preserved; it is located at the Romancecar Museum in Ebina, Kanagawa. The cab of 7803 was salvaged and used as part of a simulator attraction in the same museum.
==Design==
The 7000 series sets use a streamlined front end with side-mounted headlights in rectangular-shaped casings. The 7000 series sets feature a raised driver's cab to allow passengers to have a panoramic view ahead; this cab is accessed from below via a ladder and step system.
==Specifications==
Construction is of steel. The trains use resistor-controlled traction systems. The trains feature a musical horn which plays variations on a four-note ditty. These used an improved transistor oscillator circuit to produce a synthesized version of the ditty; the speakers for the horn are located in the front pilot.
Category:Odakyu trains
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:Kawasaki locomotives
Category:Nippon Sharyo locomotives