Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway to Implement 40th Anniversary Memorial Projects for 8000 Series 'Polestar'
Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway will hold memorial events starting April 22, 2026, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 8000 series 'Polestar' train. Events include poster displays, special headmarks, and a paid photo session.
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- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 00:00
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Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture, President: Masahiro Okuno) will implement memorial projects starting April 22, 2026, for the 8000 series "Polestar" train, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary of commercial operation on July 1, 2026.
To express our gratitude to everyone who regularly patronizes our vehicles, we will enliven the 40th anniversary by implementing memorial projects such as special poster exhibitions, displaying memorial headmarks, and even photo sessions.
Details are as follows.
■ What is the 8000 series "Polestar"?
The 8000 series debuted on July 1, 1986, and was named the "Polestar" after the North Star shining in the northern sky.
Designed on the basis of "establishing a higher level of safe transportation" and "providing more comfortable services," it was initially an 8-car train, but became a 9-car train in 1987 when the Osaka Metro (then Osaka Municipal Subway) Midosuji Line, which operates mutual direct trains, was extended to Nakamozu Station, and became a 10-car train in 1995.
At the time of its introduction, it was highly evaluated for its performance, specifications, and interior equipment, such as using an aluminum alloy for the car body to reduce weight and adopting VVVF inverter control for the control system, and received the "Laurel Prize" established by the Japan Railfan Club in 1987.
Currently, three 8000 series trains are in operation, but the 8003 train is scheduled to end operation around January 2027, and the remaining two trains (8006 and 8007) will also sequentially end operation and be replaced with newly built cars.
■ Overview of Memorial Projects
1. Senri-Chuo Station Showcase Special Poster Exhibition
Photos of the 8000 series "Polestar" taken by our employees will be exhibited as oversized posters of approximately 6,000 mm (width) x 1,700 mm (height).
There are many special photos that only our employees could take, so please take a look at this opportunity.
◆ Period: From Wednesday, April 22, 2026 to around mid-December 2026 (planned)
◆ Location: Very close to the Central North Ticket Gate or Central South Ticket Gate of Senri-Chuo Station
◆ Special poster design (image)
2. Displaying memorial headmarks and one-point wrapping decorations
◆ Vehicles
8003 x 10-car train: Car 8003, Car 8903
8006 x 10-car train: Car 8006, Car 8906
8007 x 10-car train: Car 8007, Car 8907
◆ Period
From Saturday, May 30, 2026 to around mid-December 2026 (planned)
* The operation period is subject to change.
* Trains with headmarks may be suspended due to vehicle inspections and other reasons.
* Please refrain from inquiring about the operation schedule.
◆ Design (image)
[Concept]
The vertical line piercing through the number "40" evokes the history of the extension and the strength connecting Minoh-Kayano to Esaka, creating a design that visually expresses our route stretching north to south.
3. Holding a photo session (paid)
We will hold a paid photo session at our Momoyamadai Depot, where you usually cannot enter. Please apply.
◆ Date and time
Saturday, May 30, 2026
10:10 AM - 12:00 PM (Reception from 9:45 AM, shooting until 11:30 AM)
* The event time includes explanations of precautions, travel time, and merchandise sales, and the shooting time will be about 1 hour.
◆ Location
Momoyamadai Depot (Nearest station is Momoyamadai Station)
◆ Participation fee
8,000 yen (tax included) per adult (junior high school student and above) * Comes with a limited memorial item
◆ Capacity: 100 people
◆ Content, etc.
- You can photograph the exterior and other parts of the 8003 x 10-car train, 8006 x 10-car train, and 8007 x 10-car train displaying the memorial headmark.
- We will present a limited memorial item that can only be obtained by customers who participate in this photo session.
* When applying as a group, up to 2 people per group including the representative.
* The event will be held rain or shine, but canceled in stormy weather.
* Applications are limited to junior high school students and above.
* We may check your age, so please bring a public ID such as a driver's license or My Number card. If we cannot confirm, we will refuse entry.
* The content and schedule of this photo session are subject to change.
* Depending on the operational status on the day, the start time may be delayed, or it may be unavoidable canceled.
◆ Application, etc.
- Application period
April 14, 2026
To express our gratitude to everyone who regularly patronizes our vehicles, we will enliven the 40th anniversary by implementing memorial projects such as special poster exhibitions, displaying memorial headmarks, and even photo sessions.
Details are as follows.
■ What is the 8000 series "Polestar"?
The 8000 series debuted on July 1, 1986, and was named the "Polestar" after the North Star shining in the northern sky.
Designed on the basis of "establishing a higher level of safe transportation" and "providing more comfortable services," it was initially an 8-car train, but became a 9-car train in 1987 when the Osaka Metro (then Osaka Municipal Subway) Midosuji Line, which operates mutual direct trains, was extended to Nakamozu Station, and became a 10-car train in 1995.
At the time of its introduction, it was highly evaluated for its performance, specifications, and interior equipment, such as using an aluminum alloy for the car body to reduce weight and adopting VVVF inverter control for the control system, and received the "Laurel Prize" established by the Japan Railfan Club in 1987.
Currently, three 8000 series trains are in operation, but the 8003 train is scheduled to end operation around January 2027, and the remaining two trains (8006 and 8007) will also sequentially end operation and be replaced with newly built cars.
■ Overview of Memorial Projects
1. Senri-Chuo Station Showcase Special Poster Exhibition
Photos of the 8000 series "Polestar" taken by our employees will be exhibited as oversized posters of approximately 6,000 mm (width) x 1,700 mm (height).
There are many special photos that only our employees could take, so please take a look at this opportunity.
◆ Period: From Wednesday, April 22, 2026 to around mid-December 2026 (planned)
◆ Location: Very close to the Central North Ticket Gate or Central South Ticket Gate of Senri-Chuo Station
◆ Special poster design (image)
2. Displaying memorial headmarks and one-point wrapping decorations
◆ Vehicles
8003 x 10-car train: Car 8003, Car 8903
8006 x 10-car train: Car 8006, Car 8906
8007 x 10-car train: Car 8007, Car 8907
◆ Period
From Saturday, May 30, 2026 to around mid-December 2026 (planned)
* The operation period is subject to change.
* Trains with headmarks may be suspended due to vehicle inspections and other reasons.
* Please refrain from inquiring about the operation schedule.
◆ Design (image)
[Concept]
The vertical line piercing through the number "40" evokes the history of the extension and the strength connecting Minoh-Kayano to Esaka, creating a design that visually expresses our route stretching north to south.
3. Holding a photo session (paid)
We will hold a paid photo session at our Momoyamadai Depot, where you usually cannot enter. Please apply.
◆ Date and time
Saturday, May 30, 2026
10:10 AM - 12:00 PM (Reception from 9:45 AM, shooting until 11:30 AM)
* The event time includes explanations of precautions, travel time, and merchandise sales, and the shooting time will be about 1 hour.
◆ Location
Momoyamadai Depot (Nearest station is Momoyamadai Station)
◆ Participation fee
8,000 yen (tax included) per adult (junior high school student and above) * Comes with a limited memorial item
◆ Capacity: 100 people
◆ Content, etc.
- You can photograph the exterior and other parts of the 8003 x 10-car train, 8006 x 10-car train, and 8007 x 10-car train displaying the memorial headmark.
- We will present a limited memorial item that can only be obtained by customers who participate in this photo session.
* When applying as a group, up to 2 people per group including the representative.
* The event will be held rain or shine, but canceled in stormy weather.
* Applications are limited to junior high school students and above.
* We may check your age, so please bring a public ID such as a driver's license or My Number card. If we cannot confirm, we will refuse entry.
* The content and schedule of this photo session are subject to change.
* Depending on the operational status on the day, the start time may be delayed, or it may be unavoidable canceled.
◆ Application, etc.
- Application period
April 14, 2026