E351 series
E351 series image
An E351 series EMU on a Super Azusa service in January 2010
In serviceDecember 1993 – April 2018
ManufacturerHitachi and Nippon Sharyo
Replaced183 series
Constructed1993-1996
Entered service23 December 1993
Scrapped2017–2018
Number built60 vehicles (10 sets)
Number in serviceNone
Number preservedNone
Number scrapped60 vehicles (10 sets)
SuccessorE353 series
Formation4/8 cars per trainset
Fleet numbersS1–S5, S21–S25
OperatorsJR East
DepotsMatsumoto
Lines servedChuo Main Line
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length20.7–21.68 m (67 ft 11 in – 71 ft 2 in)
Width2,843 mm (9 ft 3.9 in)
Doors2 per side
Maximum speed130 km/h (80.8 mph)
Traction systemVariable frequency (GTO, IGBT)
Power output3,600 kW per 12-car formation
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC overhead
Current collector(s)PS31 single-arm pantograph
BogiesDT62A (motored), TR247 (trailer)
Braking system(s)Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, snow-resistant brake
Safety system(s)ATS-P, ATS-Ps
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The E351 series (E351系) was a tilting electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on Chuo Main Line Super Azusa limited express services in Japan from 1993 to 2018. First introduced in December 1993 (initially on Azusa services), a total of 60 vehicles were built, formed as five eight-car main sets (numbers S1 to S5) and five four-car supplementary (numbers S21 to S25) sets.

Concept

Built jointly by Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo,[1] the tilting E351 series trains were intended to replace the aging 183 series EMUs used on Azusa Limited express services operating between Shinjuku in Tokyo and Matsumoto, and to increase speeds on the highly curved Chūō Main Line.[2]

Operations

At the time of withdrawal in 2018, the E351 series trains were used on the following services:

  • Super Azusa limited express services (3 December 1994 – 16 March 2018) – through service to the Oito Line withdrawn 12 March 2010[3]
  • Chūō Liner rapid services (15 March 2008 – 16 March 2018) – Commuter services on the Chuo Main Line

Other services previously operated by the series include:

Formations

An eight-car set with gangwayed cab car leading in January 2007
Coupled gangwayed ends at Shinjuku Station in March 2007

The fleet consisted of five four-car sets (S21–S25) and five eight-car sets (S1–S5), formed as shown below, with car 1 (car 5) at the Shinjuku or Tokyo end.[2][3]

4-car sets S21–S22

Car No.1234
Designation Tc'M1M2Tc'
Numbering KuHa E351-1100MoHa E351-1000MoHa E350-1000KuHa E351-1200
Seating capacity 60526852
Weight (t) 36.939.739.838.2
  • Car 4 had a retracting gangway.
  • Car 2 was fitted with a PS31 single-arm pantograph.
  • Cars 2 and 4 were fitted with toilets.

4-car sets S23–S25

Car No.1234
Designation TcM1M2Tc'
Numbering KuHa E351-0MoHa E351-0MoHa E350-0KuHa E350-100
Seating capacity 60526852
Weight (t) 38.338.337.936.3
  • Car 4 had a retracting gangway.
  • Car 2 was fitted with a PS31 single-arm pantograph.
  • Cars 2 and 4 were fitted with toilets.

8-car sets S1–S2

Car No.56789101112
Designation TcM1M2TTsM1M2Tc
Numbering KuHa E351-1300MoHa E351-1000MoHa E350-1100SaHa E351-1000SaRo E351-1000MoHa E351-1100MoHa E350-1000KuHa E351-1000
Seating capacity 606450556852
Weight (t) 37.239.740.533.932.739.939.837.6
  • Car 5 had a retracting gangway.
  • Cars 6 and 10 were each fitted with a PS31 single-arm pantograph.
  • Cars 6, 8, 10, and 12 were fitted with toilets.

8-car sets S3–S5

Car No.56789101112
Designation TcM1M2TTsM1M2Tc'
Numbering KuHa E351-100MoHa E351-0MoHa E350-100SaHa E351-0SaRo E351-0MoHa E351-100MoHa E350-0KuHa E350-0
Seating capacity 60646450556852
Weight (t) 38.938.338.432.032.038.937.935.2
  • Car 5 had a retracting gangway.
  • Cars 6 and 10 were each fitted with a PS31 single-arm pantograph.
  • Cars 6, 8, 10, and 12 were fitted with toilets.

Original set formations

When first delivered, the two pairs of sets were numbered and formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Shinjuku end.[4]

Car No.123456789101112
Numbering KuHa E351-100MoHa E351MoHa E350SaHa E351SaRo E351MoHa E351-100MoHa E351KuHa E351-200KuHa E351-300MoHa E351MoHa E350KuHa E351

Interior

Both standard class and Green (first) class seating were arranged 2+2 abreast.[2]

E351 series trains were made entirely no-smoking on 18 March 2007.[3]

History

Introduction

Two pairs of first-batch sets (S1+S21 and S2+S22) were delivered in 1993,[2] and were introduced on Azusa services from 23 December 1993.[5]

Super Azusa introduction

From the start of the revised timetable on 3 December 1994, four return Azusa workings were upgraded and rebranded as Super Azusa, operating between Shinjuku and Matsumoto or Minami-Otari using E351 series equipment.[5]

2nd batch

Three pairs of second-batch sets were delivered in 1995,[2] and the first two pairs of sets (S1+S21 and S2+S22) were modified to bring them up to production specifications at JR East's Nagano Workshop and Nippon Sharyo, respectively, in March 1996.[3] Modifications included replacing the original PS26C lozenge-type pantographs with PS31 single-arm pantographs, and renumbering the cars in the -1000 series.[2] From the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 1996, the number of Super Azusa services using E351 series equipment was increased from four return trips daily to eight return trips.[5]

1997 Ōtsuki Station collision

On 12 October 1997, the down Super Azusa 13 service from Shinjuku to Matsumoto (formed of sets S3+S23) was involved in a collision with a 201 series local train that had overrun a red signal while passing through Ōtsuki Station. Several cars were derailed and one car overturned. Five cars of set S3 were ultimately cut up on site, and replacement car bodies ordered from Hitachi. The rebuilt vehicles retained their original running numbers.

Withdrawal

The replacement of the E351 series trains by new E353 series EMUs began on 23 December 2017, with the entire fleet phased out from regular passenger services on 16 March 2018.[6]

A special final run service was held on 7 April 2018 to commemorate the E351 series sets' retirement, after which the sets were officially withdrawn.[7]

After their withdrawal, the trains were transferred to Nagano General Rolling Stock Center for scrapping. No E351 series cars have been preserved.[8]

Build details

The individual build details for the fleet are as shown below.[9][10]

Batch Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered Date withdrawn
1st S1 Hitachi 16 September 1993 4 April 2018[11]
S2 Nippon Sharyo 30 September 1993 24 December 2017[12]
2nd S3 Hitachi 19 December 1995 8 April 2018[11]
S4 9 January 1996
S5 Nippon Sharyo 16 January 1996 24 December 2017[12]
1st S21 Hitachi 16 September 1993 4 April 2018[11]
S22 Nippon Sharyo 16 October 1993 24 December 2017[12]
2nd S23 19 December 1995 8 April 2018[11]
S24 Hitachi 9 January 1996
S25 Nippon Sharyo 16 January 1996 24 December 2017[12]

References

  1. ↑ Saka, Masahiro (March 2014). "JR第1世代の車両・現況と概要" [JR 1st-generation rolling stock: Current situation and overview]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 43, no. 359. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. p. 22.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. pp. 159–162. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 JR電車編成表 2012冬 [JR EMU Formations – Winter 2012]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. October 2011. p. 102. ISBN 978-4-330-25611-5.
  4. ↑ JR全車輛ハンドブック1995 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 1995]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 1995. pp. 148–149.
  5. 1 2 3 JR特急10年の歩み [10 Years of JR Limited Express Trains]. Japan: Kousai Shuppansha. May 1997. pp. 88, 103, 130. ISBN 978-4-330-45697-3.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ "ありがとうE351系旅行商品及び記念入場券の発売について" [Products and admission fees for the "Thank you E351 series" event] (PDF). JR East (in Japanese). Japan: The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital. 22 February 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 February 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  8. ↑ "あぁ～残念！ 博物館入りすることなく廃車に 悲運なJR東日本の車両3選". trafficnews.jp (in Japanese). Mediavague Co., ltd. 29 January 2022. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  9. ↑ Azusa, Takeshi (April 2018). E353系の足跡 [The footprints of the E351 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 58, no. 684. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. p. 48.
  10. ↑ JR電車編成表 2018冬 JR電車編成表 2018冬 [JR EMU Formations – Winter 2018] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 15 November 2017. p. 100. ISBN 978-4-330-84117-5.
  11. 1 2 3 4 JR電車編成表 2019冬 [JR EMU Formations – Winter 2019]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 14 November 2018. p. 356. ISBN 978-4-330-93218-7.
  12. 1 2 3 4 JR車両のうごき [JR rolling stock changes]. Tetsudo Daiya Joho Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 47, no. 407. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. March 2018. p. 102.
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