In service 1 June 2012 – Constructed 2012– Number in service 105 vehicles (28 sets) | Number built 117 vehicles (32 sets) | |
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The 733 series (733系) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on suburban services in the Sapporo area of Hokkaido, Japan, since 1 June 2012.
Contents
Variants
Design
Similar in appearance to the aluminium-bodied 735 series EMUs built in 2010, the 733 series EMUs have stainless steel bodies with steel driving cab ends. At 2,892 mm, the 733 series cars are also wider than the 731 series and 735 series cars, which are 2,800 mm wide. Sets B-113 onward, delivered from September 2013, feature full-colour LED destination indicators, instead of the three-colour indicators used on earlier sets.
Five new six-car sets, classified "733-3000 series", were delivered in 2014 and phased in on Airport rapid services between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport from July, operating alongside the existing 721 series EMUs, and allowing the withdrawal of the remaining 711 series EMUs still in service. These sets include a "u Seat" car with unidirectional reclining seating for reserved seat passengers. The new sets feature LED lighting in the passenger areas.
Operations
The 733 series sets entered service from 1 June 2012 on suburban services in the Sapporo area of Hokkaido, including the newly electrified Sasshō Line. They are capable of running in multiple with 721 series, 731 series, and 735 series EMUs, but, unlike the 731 series, cannot operate in multiple with the KiHa 201 series DMUs also used on the Sasshō Line.
Formations
As of 1 October 2015, the fleet consists of 21 three-car sets, numbered B-101 to B-121, and seven six-car 733-1000 series sets, numbered B-3101 to B-3107, formed as shown below, with one motored ("M") intermediate car and two non-powered trailer ("T") cars. Car 1 is at the Takikawa/Komakomai end.
3-car sets (B-101 – B-121)
3-car 733-1000 series sets( B-1001 – B-1004)
The fleet of four three-car 733-1000 series sets are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Hakodate end.
6-car 733-3000 series sets (B-3101/3201 – B-3107/3207)
Seven six-car 733-3000 series sets are formed as shown below with two motored ("M") cars and four non-powered trailer ("T") cars. The sets each consist of two 3-car half sets, numbered "B-310x" and "B-320x", with car 1 at the Shin-Chitose end.
Interior
The 3-car sets have longitudinal bench seating throughout, with a total capacity of 439 (148 seated).
History
The first two 3-car sets, B-101 and B-102, were delivered from the Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe in February 2012, with two more sets, B-103 and B-104, delivered later the same month. Twelve more sets (36 vehicles) are scheduled to be delivered during fiscal 2014.
The first 733-3000 series six-car sets entered service on 19 July 2014.
The first two 733-1000 series three-car sets, B-1001 and B-1002, were delivered from the Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe in October 2015.
Build details
The official delivery dates for the fleet are as shown below.
Future plans
Four three-car 733-1000 series EMUs are scheduled to be introduced on shuttle services operating between Hakodate Station and the new Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station (a distance of approximately 18 km) when the Hokkaido Shinkansen opens in March 2016. The new trains will have a modified livery, with purple and light green bodyside stripes. The first sets are scheduled to be delivered in autumn 2015.