In service December 1993–Present Number built 60 vehicles (10 sets) Formation 4/8 cars per trainset | Replaced 183 series Number in service 60 vehicles (10 sets) | |
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Manufacturer Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo | ||
The E351 series (E351系) is a tilting electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on Chūō Main Line Super Azusa limited express services in Japan since 1993. First introduced in December 1993 (initially on Azusa services), a total of 60 vehicles were built, formed as five 8-car main sets (numbers S1 to S5) and five 4-car supplementary (numbers S21 to S25) sets.
Contents
Concept
Built jointly by Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo, the tilting E351 series trains were intended to replace the ageing 183 series EMUs used on Azusa Limited express services operating between Shinjuku in Tokyo and Matsumoto, and to increase speeds on the highly curved Chūō Main Line.
Operations
Between 16 March 1996 and 14 March 2008, E351 series sets were also used on Tōkaidō Main Line weekday morning Ohayō Liner Shinjuku 22 and evening Home Liner Odawara 27 commuter services.
From spring 2016, the E351 series trains are scheduled to be replaced by new E353 series EMUs on Chuo Line limited express services, and will be relegated to seasonal use.
Formations
The fleet consists of five 4-car sets (S21–S25) and five 8-car sets (S1–S5), formed as shown below, with car 1 (car 5) at the Shinjuku or Tokyo end.
4-car sets S21–S22
4-car sets S23–S25
8-car sets S1–S2
8-car sets S3–S5
Original set formations
When first delivered, the two pairs of sets were numbered and formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Shinjuku end.
Interior
Both standard class and Green (first) class seating is arranged 2+2 abreast.
Introduction
Two pairs of first-batch sets (S1+S21 and S2+S22) were delivered in 1995, and were introduced on Azusa services from 23 December 1993.
Super Azusa
From the start of the revised timetable on 3 December 1994, four return Azusa workings were upgraded and rebranded as Super Azusa, operating between Shinjuku and Matsumoto or Minami-Otari using E351 series equipment.
2nd batch
Three pairs of second-batch sets were delivered in 1995, and the first two pairs of sets (S1+S21 and S2+S22) were modified to bring them up to production specifications at JR East's Nagano Workshop and Nippon Sharyo, respectively, in March 1996. Modifications included replacing the original PS26C lozenge-type pantographs with PS31 single-arm pantographs, and renumbering the cars in the -1000 series. From the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 1996, the number of Super Azusa services using E351 series equipment was increased from four return trips daily to eight return trips.
1997 Ōtsuki Station collision
On 12 October 1997, the down Super Azusa 13 service from Shinjuku to Matsumoto (formed of sets S3+S23) was involved in a collision with a 201 series local train that had overrun a red signal while passing through Ōtsuki Station. Several cars were derailed and one car overturned. Five cars of set S3 were ultimately cut up on site, and replacement car bodies ordered from Hitachi. The rebuilt vehicles retained their original running numbers.
From the start of the revised timetable on 18 March 2007, E351 series trains were made entirely no-smoking.
From the start of the revised timetable on 15 March 2008, E351 series trains were removed from Tōkaidō Main Line weekday morning Ohayō Liner Shinjuku and evening Home Liner Odawara commuter services.
Since the start of the revised timetable on 13 March 2010, E351 series trains no longer operate on the Oito Line.