221 series

The 221 series (221系, 221-kei) is a suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) in the Kansai Region of Japan since March 1989.[1][2]

221 series
A 221 series formation in March 2008
Manufacturer	JR-West Gotō Works, JR-West Takatori Works, Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo
Built at	Kobe, Yonago, Kudamatsu, Higashiōsaka
Family name	Amenity Liner
Replaced	113 series, 117 series, 201 series
Constructed	1989–1992
Entered service	March 1989
Refurbished	2012–2020
Number built	474 vehicles
Number in service	474 vehicles
Formation	2/4/6/8 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	JR-West
Depot(s)	Aboshi, Nara, Kyoto
Line(s) served	Tōkaidō Main Line, Sanyō Main Line, Hokuriku Main Line, Kosei Line, Akō Line, Bantan Line, San'in Main Line, Osaka Loop Line, Osaka Higashi Line, Nara Line, Yamatoji Line, Wakayama Line, Sakurai Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Car length	20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Width	2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Doors	3 pairs per side
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction system	Resistor control + field system superimposed field excitation control
Traction motors	MT61
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead line
Current collection method	WPS27 scissors-type pantograph
Braking system(s)	Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, snow-resistant brake
Safety system(s)	ATS-P, ATS-SW
Coupling system	Shibata-Type
Multiple working	223/225 series
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Operations

• Tōkaidō Main Line (Biwako Line, JR Kyoto Line, JR Kobe Line) (Maibara - Kōbe, until 2023)
• Sanyō Main Line (JR Kobe Line) (Kōbe - Kamigōri, until 2023)
• Hokuriku Main Line (Biwako Line) (Nagahama - Maibara, until 2023)
• Kosei Line (Yamashina - Ōmi-Imazu, until 2023)
• Osaka Loop Line (only on Rapid services)
• Kansai Main Line (Yamatoji Line) (Kamo - JR Namba)
• Nara Line
• Sakurai Line (Manyō-Mahoroba Line)
• Wakayama Line (Ōji - Gojō)
• Akō Line (Aioi - Banshū-Akō, until 2023)
• Sanin Main Line (Sagano Line) (Kyoto - Fukuchiyama)
• Bantan Line (Himeji - Teramae, until 2023)
• Osaka Higashi Line (from 2020)

Formations

As of 1 October 2012, the fleet consisted of 474 vehicles, formed as 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-car sets, based at Kyoto, Nara, and Aboshi depots.[3]

Aboshi Depot

8-car sets (A prefix)

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Designation	Tc	T'	M1	T'	M1	T	M'	Mc
Numbering	KuHa 221	SaHa 220	MoHa 220	SaHa 220	MoHa 220	SaHa 221	MoHa 221	KuMoHa 221

6-car sets (B prefix)

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Designation	Tc	T'	M1	T	M'	Mc
Numbering	KuHa 221	SaHa 220	MoHa 220	SaHa 221	MoHa 221	KuMoHa 221

4-car sets (C prefix)

Car No.	1	2	3	4
Designation	Tc	T	M'	Mc
Numbering	KuHa 221	SaHa 221	MoHa 221	KuMoHa 221

Nara Depot

8-car sets (NB prefix)

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Designation	Tc	T'	M1	T'	M1	T	M'	Mc
Numbering	KuHa 221	SaHa 220	MoHa 220	SaHa 220	MoHa 220	SaHa 221	MoHa 221	KuMoHa 221

6-car sets (NC prefix)

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Designation	Tc	T'	M1	T	M'	Mc
Numbering	KuHa 221	SaHa 220	MoHa 220	SaHa 221	MoHa 221	KuMoHa 221

4-car sets (NA prefix)

Car No.	1	2	3	4
Designation	Tc	T	M'	Mc
Numbering	KuHa 221	SaHa 221	MoHa 221	KuMoHa 221
Designation	Tc'	M1	T	Mc1
Numbering	KuHa 220	MoHa 220	SaHa 220	KuMoHa 220

2-car sets

Car No.	1	2
Designation	Tc'	Mc1
Numbering	KuHa 220	KuMoHa 220

Kyoto Depot

4-car sets (K prefix)

Car No.	1	2	3	4
Designation	Tc	T	M'	Mc
Numbering	KuHa 221	SaHa 221	MoHa 221	KuMoHa 221

The KuMoHa 221 cars in some formations are equipped with a second de-icing pantograph.

Interior

Seating is arranged as 2+2 abreast transverse flip-over seats.

• 
  Original interior style in May 2009
• 
  Interior of a refurbished train
• 
  Original LED passenger information display in September 2005
• 
  LED passenger information display of a refurbished train in October 2014
• 
  Wheelchair-accessible toilet of a refurbished train

History

The first 221 series trains were introduced from the start of the revised timetable in March 1989.[2]

The 221 series received the Laurel Prize in 1990.[4]

Refurbishment

The first refurbished set, K12, in December 2012

From December 2012, a programme of refurbishment started, which will ultimately cover the entire fleet of 474 vehicles.[5] Interior improvements include new universal access toilets, provision of wheelchair spaces, and flip-up seating next to the doorways.[5] The first refurbished set, 4-car set K12, was returned to revenue service on 11 January 2013.[6]

References

1. Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Jr全車両: ビジュアル決定版 Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: ＪＲ全車輌. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 79. ISBN 978-4-418-09905-4.
2. 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. 271–272. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
3. Jr電車編成表 2013冬 JR電車編成表 2013冬 [JR EMU Formations - Winter 2013]. Japan: JRR. November 2012. p. 406. ISBN 978-4-330-33112-6.
4. ブルーリボン賞・ローレル賞　選定車両一覧 [Blue Ribbon & Laurel Prize Winners List]. jrc.gr.jp (in Japanese). Japan: Japan Railfan Club. 29 May 2012. Archived from the original on 2010-10-26. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
5. 221系近郊型電車のリニューアルについて [221 series outer-suburban EMU refurbishment] (Press release) (in Japanese). West Japan Railway Company. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
6. 221系リニューアル車が営業運転を開始 [Refurbished 221 series in revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 13 January 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.