In service 1994–Present Constructed 1994–1999 Number built 745 vehicles (97 sets) | Refurbishment 2008– | |
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Manufacturer Tokyu Car, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, JR East (Niitsu/Ofuna) | ||
The E217 series (E217系) is a suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in the Kantō region of Japan since 1994.
Contents
Design
Introduced in 1994 to replace the 113 series EMUs running on the Sōbu Line (Rapid) and Yokosuka Line, it was the first outer-suburban train type in Japan to feature four pairs of doors per side on car. The basic design was developed from the 209 series commuter EMUs. It replaced all the Yokosuka Line 113 series trains by 1999. The trains were built jointly by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Tokyu Car, and JR East (Niitsu and Ofuna factories).
They use Mitsubishi GTO thyristors and VVVF inverters with Mitsubishi MT68 traction motors. Gear ratio is 97:16.
Operations
Former operations
11+4-car sets
11-car sets (Y1–Y51) and 4-car sets (Y101–Y146) based at Kamakura Depot
Former 10+5-car Tokaido Main Line sets (March 2006 - March 2015)
10-car sets (F1–F3) and 5-car sets (F51–F53) based at Kōzu Depot for Tokaido Main Line services
History
The E217 series trains entered revenue service from 3 December 1994.
In March 2006, three 15-car trains were reformed as 10+5-car sets and transferred to Kōzu depot for use from 14 March 2006 on Tokaido Main Line duties out of Tokyo alongside E231 series trains. The sets were repainted into the same Shonan color scheme of orange and green bodyside stripes as applied to the E231s. As of April 2011, only one pair (F3+F53) remained at Kōzu depot.
A programme of refurbishment on the fleet commenced from 2008. Externally, sets received lighter blue and cream stripes.