In service 1997–Present Constructed 1997–2005 Number in service 72 vehicles (12 sets) | Number built 72 vehicles (12 sets) | |
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Manufacturer Hitachi, Kinki Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation | ||
The E653 series (E653系) is an AC/DC dual-voltage electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan on limited express services since 1997.
Contents
Variants
Operations
From their introduction in 1997, the E653 series trains operated on Fresh Hitachi limited express services between Ueno in Tokyo and Iwaki via the Joban Line as 7-, 7+4-, and 7+7-car formations, but were withdrawn from regular scheduled services from the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2013.
From the start of the revised timetable on 28 September 2013, reformed E653 series sets displaced from Fresh Hitachi services by new E657 series sets were phased in on Inaho services operating between Niigata and Akita, replacing JNR-era 485 series EMUs and reclassified E653-1000 series. The Inaho fleet will ultimately consist of eight seven-car E653-1000 series sets modified with the addition of a Green (first class) car and a new livery evoking images of the sunset, rice plants, and the sea.
Fleet details
The manufacturers and build dates for the fleet are as shown below.
7-car sets K301–308
The 7-car sets are formed as follows, with car 1 at the south (Ueno) end.
Inaho E653-1000 series 7-car sets U-101–
The reformed 7-car Inaho E653-1000 series sets (U-101–) are based at Niigata Depot and formed as follows, with four motored ("M") cars and three non-powered trailer ("T") cars, and car 1 at the Akita (northern) end.
4-car sets K351–354
The 4-car sets are formed as follows, with car 8 at the south (Ueno) end.
Car 9 is equipped with one PS32 single-arm pantograph.
E653-0 series
All cars in E653-0 series sets are standard class with 2+2 seating and 910 mm (36 in) seat pitch.
E653-1000 series
The Green (first class) cars in E653-1000 series sets have 2+1 seating, arranged with pairs of seats on the seaward side and single seats on the landward side. Seat rows are aligned with the windows, giving a seat pitch of 1,820 mm (72 in), double that for standard class, and additional privacy is added by partitions between each seat row. The Green car seats 18 passengers.
History
E653 series were introduced from 1 October 1997. The refreshment vending machines were discontinued from 31 March 2008.
From 17 March 2012, the E653 series trains were gradually phased out from Fresh Hitachi services with the introduction of new E657 series 10-car EMUs. Original plans were for some E653 series sets to be reassigned to new limited express services operating on the Joban Line between Iwaki and Sendai, with three 4-car sets due to be repainted into a new "hamakaidō" (浜街道, coastway) blue livery for use on services between Iwaki and Sendai and the rest of the fleet transferred elsewhere. These plans have been put on hold due to the suspension of services north of Iwaki on the Joban Line following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
From the start of the revised timetable on 28 September 2013, reformed E653-1000 series 7-car sets were introduced on Inaho services, operating between Niigata and Akita. Set U-102 was the first E653-1000 series to enter revenue service, being used on a special E653 Series Uetsu Line Debut (E653系羽越線デビュー号) charter service between Niigata and Sakata on 14 September 2013.
Future developments
The sub-fleet of four four-car sets are scheduled to be renumbered as E653-1100 series sets for use on new Shirayuki limited express services operating between Niigata and Arai from the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 2015. These sets will receive a new livery consisting of ivory white with vermillion and blue stripes intended to evoke an image of the sunset over the Sea of Japan. The interiors will be refitted with new seat covers, similar to those used in the E7 series and W7 series shinkansen trains.