In service 2001–Present Refurbishment 2015– | Constructed 2001–2011 | |
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The 683 series (683系, Roppyaku-hachijūsan-kei) is a dual-voltage electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) and Hokuetsu Express on limited express services in Japan since 2001.
Contents
Variants
JR-West
Hokuetsu Express
JR Central
Formations
The various formations are configured as follows.
Shirasagi sets
The KuHa 682 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.
Shirasagi sets
The SaHa 682 and KuRo 682 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.
Thunderbird sets
The SaHa 682 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.
Thunderbird sets
The SaHa 682 cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.
Refurbishment
All of the 683 series trainsets used on Thunderbird limited express services are scheduled to undergo a programme of refurbishment from autumn 2015 until the end of fiscal 2018. The first set treated, nine-car 683-4000 series set T51, was returned to revenue service in September 2015.
Conversion to 289 series
From 2015, 85 former Shirasagi 683 series vehicles were converted and reformed to become DC-only 289 series EMUs, formed as three-car, four-car, and six-car sets for use on Hashidate, Kinosaki, Kounotori, and Kurioshio limited express services in the Kyoto and Osaka area.