E257 series
White train with black front and colorful sides
An E257-0 series train on a Chuo Line Azusa service in January 2008
In service2001–present
ManufacturerHitachi, Kinki Sharyo, and Tokyu Car Corporation
Family nameA-train
Replaced
Entered service1 December 2001
Refurbished2019–
Number built249 vehicles
(5 × 2-car, 19 × 5-car, 16 × 9-car)
Number in service239 vehicles
Number scrapped10 vehicles (5 sets)
SuccessorE353 series (Azusa, Kaiji)
Formation5/9 cars per trainset
Formerly: 2 cars per trainset
OperatorsJR East
DepotsMatsumoto, Makuhari, Omiya
Lines servedE257-0 (2001–2019):
E257-500 (2004–):
E257-2000/-2500 (2020–):
E257-5500 (2023–):
Specifications
Car length21.000 m (68 ft 10.8 in) (end cars)
20.500 m (67 ft 3.1 in) (intermediate cars)
Doors2 per side
Maximum speed130 km/h (81 mph)
Traction systemIGBT-VVVF (Mitsubishi Electric)
Traction motors3-phase AC squirrel-cage induction motors (Mitsubishi Electric)
Acceleration0.56 m/s2 (1.3 mph/s)
Deceleration1.4 m/s2 (3.1 mph/s)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Braking system(s)Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, snow-resistant brake
Safety system(s)ATS-SN, ATS-P
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Notes/references
This train won the 45th Blue Ribbon Award in 2002.

The E257 series (E257系, E257-kei) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated in Japan for limited express services by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and built jointly by Hitachi, Kinki Sharyo, and Tokyu Car Corporation.

Variants

Four variants exist: the original E257-0 series for use on Chūō Main Line Azusa and Kaiji limited-express services until 16 March 2019 (displaced by E353 series EMUs), the E257-500 series for use on Chiba area limited express services (Uchibo Line Sazanami, Sotobo Line Wakashio, Sōbu Main Line Shiosai, and Narita and Kashima Lines Ayame),[1] the E257-2000/-2500 used for Odoriko services modified from former E257-0 and -500 series trains, and the E257-5000/5500 from former E257-0 and -500 trains for use on additional and charter services.

E257-0 series

This sub-series was introduced on 1 December 2001 to replace the aging 183 and 189 series rolling stock on Chuo Main Line Azusa and Kaiji services. Based at Matsumoto depot, the fleet consisted of sixteen 9-car sets (M101 to M116) with a full cab at the Matsumoto end and a gangwayed cab at the Tokyo end, and five 2-car "add-on" sets (M201 to M205) with a full cab at the Tokyo end and a shunting cab at the Matsumoto end.

The type was the recipient of the 45th Blue Ribbon Award (2002) of the Japan Railfan Club.

From 2018, the E257 series trains were replaced by E353 series EMUs on Chuo Main Line Azusa and Kaiji limited express services.[2] From the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2019, E257 series trains were no longer used on regular Chuo Main Line limited express services. The trains were modified into E257-2000 series trainsets and redeployed on Tokaido Main Line Odoriko services from 14 March 2020. Several sets are still under refurbishment and three sets, which were reserved for use on charter and extra services, were modified into E257-5000s. As a result of these conversions, the five 2-car "add-on" sets were deemed surplus and therefore scrapped.[3]

Operations

Former operations

Matsumoto-based E257 series trains were also used on the Ohayo Liner Shinjuku and Home Liner Odawara commuter services running on the Tokaido Main Line until 14 March 2008.

Formations

The nine-car sets (M101 to M116) were formed as follows.[4]

Car No.34567891011
Designation TcMM'MTTsMM'Tc'
Numbering KuHa E257-100MoHa E257MoHa E256MoHa E257-1000SaHa E257SaRoHa E257MoHa E257-100MoHa E256-100KuHa E256
  • Cars 4, 6, and 9 were each fitted with one PS37 single-arm pantograph.

The two-car sets (M201 to M205) were formed as follows.[4]

Car No.12
Designation TcMc
Numbering KuHa E257KuMoHa E257
  • Car 2 was fitted with one PS37 single-arm pantograph.

Interior

E257-500 series

E257-500 series set NB-18

The E257-500 sub-series version was delivered between July 2004 and October 2005, with the first sets entering service from 16 October 2004 on Uchibo Line Sazanami and Sotobo Line Wakashio limited-express services, replacing older 183 series rolling stock.[5] Based at Makuhari depot in Chiba Prefecture, the fleet consists of 19 five-car sets (NB01 to NB19).[4] Unlike the Chūō Line variant, these sets have gangways at both ends.

Due to the reduction of the Chiba area limited express services, several trains are being used for the Chuo and Fujikyuko Line Fuji Excursion services and other charter and extra services. In addition to these, 4 sets were planned for conversion into E257-2500 to be used on Tōkaidō Main Line Odoriko limited express services, with further 5 sets to be converted to E257-5500 for use on additional services.[6]

Formation

The five-car E257-500 series sets (NB01 to NB19) are formed as follows.[4]

Car No.12345
Designation Tc'MM'MTc
Numbering KuHa E256-500MoHa E257-1500MoHa E256-500MoHa E257-500KuHa E257-500

Cars 2 and 4 are each fitted with one PS37 single-arm pantograph.

Services operated

Interior

The E257-500 series sets are mono-class, with standard-class accommodation only.

E257-2000/2500 series

E257-2000 series set NA-05
Gangwayed end of E257-2000 series set NA-05
E257-2500 series set NC-34

The E257-2000 and -2500 series are refurbished versions of the E257-0 and -500 series respectively.[7] The fleet consists of thirteen 9-car E257-2000 sets and four 5-car E257-2500 sets intended for Odoriko limited express services on the Tōkaidō Main Line.[6]

The refurbishment was largely based on the "Peninsula Blue" concept, which is inspired by the colours of the sky and sea of the Izu Peninsula. Internally, the sets received several improvements, including toilets, increased luggage capacity, improved lighting, and new flooring.[7]

The first E257-2000 set, converted from E257-0 set M112 at Nagano General Rolling Stock Centre, was delivered to Omiya in March 2019.[8] On 14 March 2020, two round-trips of the formerly 185 series-operated Odoriko services were replaced by E257-2000s.[9] Since 13 March 2021, these sets have been used across all Odoriko services, excluding the Saphir Odoriko. On 15 March of that year, the E257-2000/2500 series sets were introduced on the Shōnan limited express.[10]

E257-5000/5500 series

E257-5000 series set OM-92
E257-5500 series set OM-51

Three E257-0 series sets and five -500 series sets were refurbished and designated as E257-5000 and -5500 series respectively for use on additional and charter services. The refurbishments saw a new front head, which is similar to the -2000/2500 series, and new green-accented livery. Interiors were much retained, with more luggage space and updated curtains. The first E257-5000 set, OM-91 (former M-105), first appeared in May 2021 and entered service on 12 August 2021.[11]

In December 2022, JR East announced that E257-5500 series sets would be used on Kusatsu Shima and Akagi limited express services on the Takasaki Line.[12][13] They made their first trips on these services at the start of JR East's 18 March 2023 timetable revision, replacing 651-1000 series 7-car sets.[14]

References

  1. ↑ JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. pp. 149–151. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  2. ↑ 来年３月に現行車両「Ｅ３５１系」引退 スーパーあずさ、新型に [E351 series to be retired by next spring with new trains for "Super Azusa" services]. Sankei Photo (in Japanese). Japan: The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital. 29 October 2017. Archived from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  3. ↑ 活躍は第2章へ 定期も臨時もこなす「オールラウンダー」E257系の今後は？ [Continuing to chapter 2: What's next for the "all-rounder" E257 series?]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. 30 March 2023. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 JR電車編成表 2011夏 [JR EMU Formations – Summer 2011] (in Japanese). Japan: JRR. May 2010. ISBN 978-4-330-21211-1.
  5. ↑ E257系500代が〈さざなみ〉〈わかしお〉で運転開始 [E257-500 series enter service on "Sazanami" and "Wakashio"]. Railway Journal. 39 (459): 102. January 2005.
  6. 1 2 "特急「踊り子」にリニューアル車両を順次投入します" [Renewal vehicles will be introduced to the limited express "Odoriko" one after another.] (PDF). JR East. 28 November 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  7. 1 2 JR東日本E257系2000番台・2500番台、特急「踊り子」に順次投入へ [JR East E257-2000 and -2500 series to be introduced on "Odoriko" limited-express services]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 28 November 2019. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  8. ↑ "E257系2000番台が配給輸送される" [E257-2000 series distributed and transported]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 8 March 2019. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  9. ↑ "特急「踊り子」、E257系リニューアル車両3/14デビューへ ダイヤ発表 ヘッドラインニュース 鉄道新聞" [Limited express "Odoriko" to debut E257 series renewal vehicle 3/14 timetable announced]. Tetsudo Shimbun Online (in Japanese). 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  10. ↑ JR東日本、特急「湘南」デビュー – E257系リニューアル車両で運転 [JR East deploys refurbished E257 series sets on the "Shonan" limited-express]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 15 March 2021. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  11. ↑ 鉄道ファンの待合室 (12 August 2021). "【内装も小変化】E257系5000番台さざなみ91号でデビュー！案内表示は前面のみ？" [[Small changes in the interior] Debuted in the E257 series 5000 series Sazanami No. 91! Is the guidance display only on the front?]. 鉄道ファンの待合室 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  12. ↑ JR東日本，3月18日にダイヤ改正を実施 [JR East announces timetable revision effective 18 March 2023]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 16 December 2022. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  13. ↑ "2023年3月 ダイヤ改正について" [March 2023 timetable revision] (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). East Japan Railway Company, Takasaki Branch. 16 December 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  14. ↑ 特急“草津・四万"・"あかぎ"，E257系による運転開始 [Limited express "Kusatsu/Shima", "Akagi" begin operation using E257 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 18 March 2023. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
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