381 series

381 series
381 series image
A 381 series on a Mahoroba service in May 2010
In service1973–present
ManufacturerHitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo
Replaced183 series
Constructed1973–1982
Entered service1973
Refurbished1997–2011 (JR West)
Number built277 vehicles
Number in service62 vehicles (as of 1 April 2023)
Number preserved2 vehicles
Number scrapped140 vehicles
Successor383 series, 287 series, 289 series, 273 series
Formation3/4/6/7/9 cars per trainset
OperatorsJNR (1973–1987)
JR Central (1987–2008)
JR West (1987–present)
DepotsHineno, Goto, Fukuchiyama
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium alloy
Car length21,300 mm (69 ft 11 in)
Width2,920 mm (9 ft 7 in)
Height3,383 mm (11 ft 1.2 in)
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction systemResistor control
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC overhead lines
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 381 series (381系, 381-kei) is a tilting DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type introduced in 1973 by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and currently operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West), and formerly also operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) in Japan.[1]

Fleet

As of 1 April 2023, 62 vehicles were operated by JR-West.[2][unreliable source?]

Operations

JR Central

JR-West

  • Kuroshio (from October 1978 until 30 October 2015[3])
  • Yakumo (from July 1982)
  • Kounotori (until 31 May 2011,[4] from 1 June 2012[5] until 30 October 2015[6])
  • Kinosaki (from 1 June 2012[5] until 30 October 2015[6])
  • Hashidate (from 16 March 2013 until 30 October 2015[6])
  • Hanwa Liner rapid service (until March 2011)
  • Yamatoji Liner rapid service (until March 2011)

Livery variations

  • JNR Livery (JR Central Shinano set), July 2006
    JNR Livery (JR Central Shinano set), July 2006
  • JR-West Kuroshio refurbished set
    JR-West Kuroshio refurbished set
  • 381 series Super Kuroshio set, 1992
    381 series Super Kuroshio set, 1992
  • 381 series Super Kuroshio KuRo 380 refurbished car
    381 series Super Kuroshio KuRo 380 refurbished car
  • JR-West Yakumo set, July 2007
    JR-West Yakumo set, July 2007
  • JR-West set in Super Yakumo livery, September 2007
    JR-West set in Super Yakumo livery, September 2007
  • JR-West set in Yuttari Yakumo livery, July 2023
    JR-West set in Yuttari Yakumo livery, July 2023

History

The 381 series EMU was developed from the experimental 591 series 3-car articulated tilting EMU tested from 1970.[7]

Trainsets entered revenue service from 10 July 1973 on the Shinano limited express between Nagoya and Nagano.[7]

JR-West 381 series trains were removed from Kuroshio, Kounotori, Kinosaki, and Hashidate limited express services in October 2015, with the last services operating on 30 October.[6]

Future plans

As the new 273 series sets begin service from 6 April 2024, the remaining 381 series sets are scheduled to be retired from June 2024.[8] The next sets to be retired are those currently repainted in various historic liveries; the sets sporting the Yuttari Yakumo livery are scheduled for retirement at a later date.[9]

Preserved examples

  • KuHa 381-1: (built 1973 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya.[10]
  • KuRo 381-11: (built 1974 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) formerly at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya,[10] removed in June 2019.[11]
  • KuRo 381-1104: (built 1978 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) Suita Depot, Osaka.
  • Preserved KuHa 381-1 at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, April 2011
    Preserved KuHa 381-1 at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, April 2011
  • KuRo 381 at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, March 2016
    KuRo 381 at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, March 2016
  • KuRo 381-1104 in May 2019
    KuRo 381-1104 in May 2019

Notes

References

  1. ^ Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  2. ^ "JNR 381 series - The Red List of Trains in Japan". bateman.monologue.jp. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  3. ^ くろしお３８１系引退へ…パンダシートも見納め [Kuroshio 381 series to be withdrawn – Also end of panda seats]. Yomiuri Online (in Japanese). Japan: The Yomiuri Shimbun. 29 October 2015. Archived from the original on 24 October 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  4. ^ "新型車両（287 系）追加投入の詳細" [Details of further introduction of new (287 series) trains] (PDF). JR-West news release (in Japanese). West Japan Railway Company. 28 April 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  5. ^ a b "JR西日本 381系福知山車ＦＥ編成が営業運転開始" [JR-West: Fukichiyama-based 381 series FE sets enter service]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. 41 (340): 75. August 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d 381系が関西地区の定期運用から離脱 [381 series removed from scheduled Kansai area services]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  7. ^ a b プロトタイプの世界 – Prototype World. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbunsha. December 2005. pp. 12–19. OCLC 170056962.
  8. ^ "381系「リバイバル塗装車両」6月までに運転を終了" [Remaining 381 series to be retired by June 2024]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 16 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  9. ^ "381 系特急やくも「リバイバル塗装車両」の今後の運行計画について" [Regarding the decommissioning of the 381 series limited express Yakumo sets featuring “revival liveries”] (PDF). westjr.co.jp (in Japanese). 15 December 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  10. ^ a b "「リニア・鉄道館」ファーストガイド" ["SCMaglev and Railway Park" First Guide]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. 40 (324): 20–33. April 2011.
  11. ^ リニア・鉄道館 N700系車両の展示について [N700 series shinkansen exhibit at SCMaglev and Railway Park] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Central Japan Railway Company. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
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