{{expand Japanese|topic=transp|date=April 2026}} {{short description|Japanese electric multiple unit train type}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox train | name = Kintetsu 30000 series | image = Kintetsu Series30000 Vistacar-6614.jpg | imagesize = | caption = A 30000 series set leading an eight-car consist in 2023 | service = 1978–present | manufacturer = Kinki Sharyo | family = {{plainlist| *''Vista Car III'' (Original)<ref name="TK1">{{cite web |title=昔も今も個性が光る｢私鉄特急｣名車列伝 |url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/302452 |website=Toyo Keizai Online |access-date=2 August 2025 |location=Japan |language=ja |date=19 September 2019 |trans-title=A collection of famous "private railway limited express" cars that still stand out today}}</ref> *''Vista EX'' (Post-refurbishment) }} | replaced = 10100 series | yearconstruction = 1978–1985 | refurbishment = 1996–2000, 2010–2012 | yearscrapped = | yearservice = December 1978 | numberconstruction = | numberbuilt = 60 vehicles (15 sets) | numberservice = 60 vehicles (15 sets) | numberpreserved = | numberscrapped = | formation = 4 cars per trainset | fleetnumbers = V01-V15 | capacity = | operator = {{ric|Kintetsu|name=y}} | depots = | lines = | carbody = Steel<ref name="Mynavi86">{{cite web |title=新型名阪特急「ひのとり」があらわにした、近鉄の抱える「課題」は |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20200608-hinotori/ |website=Mynavi News |access-date=18 October 2025 |location=Japan |language=ja |date=8 June 2020 |trans-title=The new Nagoya-Osaka limited express "Hinotori" reveals the "challenges" Kintetsu faces}}</ref> | carlength = | width = | height = | doors = | maxspeed = {{convert|120|km/h|abbr=on}} | weight = | acceleration = {{convert|2.5|km/h/s|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=特集： 近鉄特急 |journal=Railway Pictorial |date=1988 |volume=505 |issue=December 1988 Special Issue |pages=183-185 |trans-title=Special feature: Kintetsu Limited Express |location=Japan |language=Japanese}}</ref> | deceleration = | traction = Resistor control<ref name="Mynavi86"/> | traction motors = Mitsubishi Electric MB-3127-A motor<ref name="RJ1"/> | poweroutput = | electricsystem = {{1,500 V DC}} overhead line | collectionmethod = Pantograph | bogies = KD-83 (motored), KD-83A (trailer)<ref name="RJ1">{{cite journal |title=特集： '78～'79 新車のすべて |journal=Railway Journal |date=1979 |volume=145 |issue=March 1979 issue |pages=14-20 |trans-title=Special Feature: All about new cars from 1978 to 1979 |location=Japan |language=Japanese}}</ref> | brakes = | safety = Kintetsu ATS | coupling = | multipleworking = | gauge = {{RailGauge|1435mm}} | notes = {{Blue Ribbon Award (railway)|1979|22nd}} }} The {{Nihongo|'''Kintetsu 30000 series'''|近鉄30000系|''Kintetsu 30000-kei''}} is a limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Kintetsu Railway since 1978.
==Design== The 30000 series sets were built as four-car sets with the two intermediate cars being bilevel cars.<ref name="TK2"/> The end cars are based on the 12400 series trains which entered service from 1977.<ref name="TN1"/>
==Operations== As of 2025, 15 four-car sets are in service. Some sets operate in multiple with other four- or two-car general-use limited express train types and two 30000 series sets occasionally couple together in revenue service.<ref name="TK2"/>
==Formations== Sets are formed as shown below.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Mitsuteru Teramoto & Motoichi Hayashi |title=決定版 近鉄特急 |date=May 1985 |publisher=J.R.R. |location=Japan |page=38 |language=ja |trans-title=The definitive Kintetsu Limited Express}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Designation | Mc1 || T1 || T2 || Mc2 |- ! Numbering | 30200 || 30100 || 30150 || 30250 |}
==Interior== <gallery> File:Kintetsu_30000_Series_1F.JPG|Interior view of a refurbished end car in April 2010 File:Kintetsu30000 2F Seat.JPG|Upper deck seating of a refurbished bilevel car in April 2007 File:Kintetsu30000_1F_Seat.JPG|Lower deck seating of a refurbished bilevel car in July 2007 File:KINTETSU30000（R） PASSENGER COMPARTMENTS 2.JPG|Interior view of a twice-refurbished end car in April 2013 File:KINTETSU30000（R） PASSENGER COMPARTMENTS 3.JPG|Upper deck seating of a twice-refurbished bilevel car in April 2013 File:KINTETSU30000（R） PASSENGER COMPARTMENTS 5.JPG|Compartment seating of a twice-refurbished bilevel car in April 2013 </gallery>
==History== thumb|A 30000 series set in original style in 1990 The first set was delivered from the Kinki Sharyo factory in November 1978.<ref>{{cite journal |title=特集●'78～'79新車のすべて |journal=Railway Journal |date=1979 |volume=145 |issue=March 1979 issue |pages=14-20 |trans-title=Special Feature: All about the new trains from 1978 to 1979 |location=Japan |language=ja}}</ref> The 30000 series fleet entered service from December of that year.<ref name="TK1"/> The train type was the recipient of the Blue Ribbon Award in 1979.<ref name="TK2">{{cite web |title=近鉄特急ビスタカー､今も斬新｢2階建て｣の伝統 |url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/863851 |website=Toyo Keizai Online |access-date=3 August 2025 |location=Japan |language=ja |date=14 March 2025 |trans-title=Kintetsu Vista Car limited express: The innovative "two-story" tradition continues}}</ref>
In 1988, the fleet underwent modifications to be capable of operating at a maximum speed of {{convert|120|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="TN1">{{cite web |title=え、もう30年選手!?な私鉄の看板特急たち 新型に負けない? 揺るぎないブランドと安心感 |url=https://trafficnews.jp/post/132273 |website=Traffic News |publisher=Mediavague Co., Ltd. |access-date=3 August 2025 |location=Japan |language=ja |date=6 May 2024 |trans-title=What? It's already 30 years old!? Private railway's flagship express trains are as good as new models? Unwavering brand and reliability}}</ref>
On 12 November 2015, Kintetsu announced that its general-use limited express trains would receive a new white, gold, and yellow livery.<ref>{{cite web |title=近鉄特急22000系「ACE」リニューアル車両12月デビュー! 新名阪特急も検討中 |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20151113-a286/ |website=Mynavi News |access-date=17 October 2025 |location=Japan |language=ja |date=13 November 2015 |trans-title=Kintetsu's 22000 series "ACE" limited express train will debut in December! New Nagoya-Osaka limited express train also under consideration}}</ref> The first set to be repainted, V09, returned to service in July 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=【近鉄】"ビスタEX"新塗装車登場 |url=https://rail.hobidas.com/rmnews/252398/ |website=RM News |publisher=Neko Publishing |access-date=3 August 2025 |location=Japan |language=ja |date=25 July 2016 |trans-title=[Kintetsu] Newly painted "Vista EX" cars now available}}</ref>
===Refurbishment=== thumb|A refurbished 30000 series set in 2014 Since 1996, the fleet underwent a programme of refurbishment. The upper deck of the bilevel cars was rebuilt with continuous curved windows.<ref name="TN1"/><ref name="TK2"/> Following the refurbishment, the 30000 series trains are nicknamed '''"Vista EX"'''.<ref name="TK1"/>
From 2010, the entire fleet underwent another programme of refurbishment which included converting the lower deck seating areas of the bilevel cars to compartment seating similar to those in yacht cabins.<ref name="TN1"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commonscat}}
* [https://www.kintetsu.jp/kouhou/Train/B01.html Kintetsu 30000 series official information] {{in lang|ja}}
{{Kintetsu trainsets}}
Category:Electric multiple units of Japan 30000 series Category:Train-related introductions in 1978 Category:1500 V DC multiple units of Japan Category:Kinki Sharyo multiple units Category:Double-decker EMUs