E261 series

The E261 series (E261系, E261-kei) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on Saphir Odoriko limited express services in Japan. It was designed to replace the older 251 series trains that were used on Super View Odoriko limited express services from 28 April 1990 until 13 March 2020.

For the diesel multiple unit developed by JR Hokkaido, see KiHa 261 series.

E261 series
An E261 series train at Atami Station in March 2020.
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Hitachi
Designer	Ken Okuyama Design
Built at	Hyogo (Kawasaki) Kudamatsu (Hitachi)
Family name	Saphir Odoriko
Replaced	251 series
Constructed	2019
Entered service	14 March 2020
Number built	16 vehicles (2 sets)
Formation	8 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	RS1 – RS2
Capacity	164 seated
Operator(s)	JR East
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminum
Car length	21.4 m (70 ft 3 in) (end cars)[1] 20.5 m (67 ft 3 in) (intermediate cars)[1]
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction system	Variable frequency (SiC)
Power output	140 kW x 4 per motored car
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead lines
Current collection method	Pantograph
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Formation

The trains are formed as eight-car sets, with five motored and three trailer cars.[1]

Interior

Car 1 is designated as "premium green car" with a 1+1 seating layout and cars 2 to 3 and 5 to 8 are designated as "green car" with compartment seating for the former and a regular 2+1 seating for the latter. Car 4 has a noodle bar with an open-style kitchen.[2]

• 
  Green car interior (car 7)
• 
  Premium green car interior
• 
  Compartment seats
• 
  Restaurant car

Technical specifications

The car bodies are made of aluminium, and the trains use three phase motors and VVVF inverters.[1]

History

The trains are designed by Ken Okuyama Design,[3] and are built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Hitachi.[4] Six cars from Kawasaki Heavy Industries' Hyogo factory[5] and ten cars from Hitachi in Kudamatsu were delivered in November 2019.[6]

Set RS1 operated a trial run on November 21, 2019.[3]

The trains entered service on March 14, 2020.[7]

References

1. "JR East tests Saphir Odoriko luxury EMUs". railwaygazette.com. DVV Media International. December 18, 2019. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
2. "JR東日本E261系「サフィール踊り子」新型車両が登場「サシE261」も" [JR East E261 series "Saphir Odoriko" new vehicle appeared "Sashi E261"]. news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. November 7, 2019. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
3. "JR東日本E261系「サフィール踊り子」新型車両が試運転、都内を走行" [JR East E261 series "Saphir Odoriko" new vehicle trial run, traveling in metropolitan area]. news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. November 21, 2019. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
4. Osaka, Naoki (December 17, 2019). "全席グリーン以上､新｢踊り子｣はここがスゴい 青く輝く｢サフィール｣2020年春デビュー" [All seats above green, the new "Odoriko" is amazing - Blue shining "Saphir" debuts in spring 2020]. toyokeizai.net (in Japanese). Toyo Keizai Inc. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
5. "E261系6両が甲種輸送される" [Six E261 series cars delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
6. "【JR貨】 【JR東】 JR東日本E261系（日立製作所製作分）が甲種輸送される" [(JR freight) (JR East) JR East E261 series (built by Hitachi) delivered]. rail.hobidas.com (in Japanese). Neko Publishing. November 7, 2019. Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
7. "特急"サフィール踊り子"が運転を開始" [Limited express "Saphir Odoriko" starts operation]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. March 15, 2020. Archived from the original on March 15, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.

External links

• JR East press release (in Japanese)