In service 2005–Present Constructed 2005–2014 | Number in service 325 vehicles | |
 | ||
Number built 335 vehicles (23 10-car sets, 21 5-car sets) | ||
The E531 series (E531系) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan. It was introduced by JR East on 9 July 2005 to replace the aging 403 and 415 series EMUs running on the Jōban Line from Ueno Station in Tokyo. The stock is a dual-voltage (1,500 V DC & 20 kV AC) development of the DC-only E231 series suburban EMU design, and can run at speeds of up to 130 km/h (80 mph) in service.
Contents
Operations
Trains are formed in 10-car (set numbers K-401 onward) and 5-car (set numbers K-451 onward) sets. 15-car formations are generally run between Ueno and Tsuchiura. 10- and 5-car sets operate singly north of Tsuchiura, and 5-car sets are used on the Mito Line.
Formations
The E531 series sets are formed as shown below with car 1 (11) at the Ueno end. All sets are based at Katsuta Depot.
10-car sets
Sets K401–423 (23 sets):
Cars 3 and 8 have one single-arm pantograph each. Cars 1, 5, and 10 have toilets (universal access in cars 1 and 10). Car 9 is numbered in the SaHa E531-2000 series for sets K412 to 422 (cars originally used as cars 4 and 5 in sets K401 to 421).
5-car sets
Sets K451–469 (19 sets):
Car 13 has one single-arm pantograph. Car 11 has a toilet (universal access).
Sets K551–:
Original 10-car sets (July 2005 – March 2007)
The original 10-car sets delivered without bilevel Green cars were formed as follows.
Sets K401–406
Cars 3 and 8 had one single-arm pantograph each. Cars 1 and 10 had toilets (universal access).
Sets K407–411
Cars 3 and 8 had one single-arm pantograph each. Cars 1 and 10 had toilets (universal access).
History
The first E531 series trains entered service on 9 July 2005.
Pairs of double-deck "Green" (first class) cars were added to the 10-car sets from 6 January 2007, and all 10-car sets included Green cars by the start of the revised timetable on 18 March 2007.
In September 2014, an additional 10-car set, K423, was delivered from the J-TREC factory in Yokohama, four years after construction of the original fleet had ceased. This was followed in December 2014 by a five-car set, K469, also delivered from J-TREC in Yokohama.
Build details
The build details for the fleet as of 1 October 2014 are as shown below.