E501 series

Japanese train type

E501 series
A 10-car E501 series formation on a Jōban Line service, January 2020
In service1995–Present
ManufacturerKawasaki Heavy Industries, Tokyu Car Corporation
Replaced401 series
Constructed1995–1997
Entered serviceDecember 1995
Refurbished2011–2012
Number built60 vehicles
Number in service60 vehicles (8 sets)
Formation5/10 cars per trainset
Fleet numbersK701–K704, K751–K754
OperatorsJR East
DepotsKatsuta
Lines servedJōban Line, Mito Line
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length20.42 m (67 ft 0 in) (end cars)
20 m (65 ft 7 in) (intermediate cars)
Width2.89 m (9 ft 6 in)
Doors4 pairs per side
Maximum speed120 km/h (74.6 mph)
Traction systemOriginal: GTO–VVVF (Siemens)
Current: IGBT–VVVF (Toshiba)
Traction motors4 × 120 kW (161 hp) MT70 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output960 kW (1,287 hp)
TransmissionGear Ratio: 16:97
Acceleration2.0 km/(h⋅s) (1.2 mph/s)
Deceleration4.2 km/(h⋅s) (2.6 mph/s)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC and 20 kV 50 Hz AC, both from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Safety system(s)ATS-PS
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The E501 series (E501系) is an AC (20 kV 50 Hz single-phase)/DC (1,500 V) dual-voltage electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated on local services by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan since December 1995.[1]

Design

Built jointly by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Tokyu Car,[2] the design is derived from the 209 series commuter EMU, and were initially operated as 10+5-car formations on Jōban Line services out of Ueno in Tokyo, but were modified with the addition of toilets and transferred to Jōban Line and Mito Line local services in the Mito area from March 2007.[3]

Formations

10-car sets

As of 1 October 2018, four ten-car sets (K701–K704) are based at Katsuta Depot and formed with four motored ("M") cars and six non-powered trailer ("T") cars.[4]

 
← Haranomachi
Tsuchiura →
 
 
Car No. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Designation Tc T M M' T' T M M' Tc'
Numbering KuHa E501-0 SaHa E501-0 MoHa E501-0 MoHa E500-0 SaHa E500-0 SaHa E501-0 MoHa E501-0 MoHa E500-0 KuHa E500-1000
  • Cars 3 and 8 each have one single-arm pantograph.[4]
  • Cars 1 and 10 have a wheelchair space.[4]
  • Cars 1 and 10 each have a universal design toilet.[4]
  • Car 8 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.[4]

5-car sets

As of 1 October 2018, four five-car sets (K751–K754) are based at Katsuta Depot and formed with two motored ("M") cars and three non-powered trailer ("T") cars.[4]

 
← Haranomachi
Oyama, Tsuchiura →
 
 
Car No. 5 4 3 2 1
Designation Tc T M M' Tc'
Numbering KuHa E501-1000 SaHa E501-0 MoHa E501-0 MoHa E500-0 KuHa E500-0
  • Cars 3 has one single-arm pantograph.[4]
  • Cars 1 and 5 have a wheelchair space.[4]
  • Cars 1 has a universal design toilet.[4]
  • Car 4 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.[4]

Interior

  • Interior view, January 2007
    Interior view, January 2007

History

The first 10+5-car train was originally scheduled to be delivered in time for entry into service from the March 1995 timetable revision, but deliveries from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe were delayed until May due to the effects of the Great Hanshin earthquake in January of that year.[3] The first trains ultimately entered revenue service from the start of the 1 December 1995 timetable revision.[5][4]

Between September and October 2006, modifications were made to the side windows to allow some windows to be opened.[5] From October 2006, the fleet underwent modifications to add toilets, and from the start of the 18 March 2007 timetable revision, the E501 series trains were displaced from Jōban Line services out of Ueno by E531 series sets, and were transferred to local services on the Jōban Line north of Tsuchiura and on the Mito Line.[3] Between 2011 and 2012, the fleet underwent a life-extension refurbishment programme, which involved replacing electrical and brake equipment.[5] These trains were originally equipped with Siemens GTO-VVVF propulsion systems, which were similar to the Keikyu 2100 series and also produced a "do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do" scale when starting up. As part of the refurbishment, the propulsion system was changed to Toshiba IGBT-VVVF.

Between December 2014 and December 2015, all PS29 lozenge-type pantographs were replaced with single-arm pantographs.[4]

  • Intermediate motor car MoHa E501-7 showing the modified opening side windows, February 2009
    Intermediate motor car MoHa E501-7 showing the modified opening side windows, February 2009
  • The blocked-off window next to the retro-fitted toilet, January 2007
    The blocked-off window next to the retro-fitted toilet, January 2007
  • 5-car set K752 in December 2008
    5-car set K752 in December 2008

Build details

The build details for the fleet are as shown below.[4]

Set No. Manufacturer Delivered Toilet added Refurbished Pantograph changed to single-arm Remarks
K701 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 23 May 1995 21 February 2007 20 January 2012 27 November 2015
K702 20 February 1997 26 October 2006 5 November 2012 29 October 2015
K703 6 March 1997 20 November 2006 27 March 2012 24 December 2015
K704 Tokyu Car 18 March 1997 3 October 2006 26 January 2011 13 February 2015
K751 28 March 1995 31 January 2007 21 August 2011 25 December 2014
K752 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 21 February 1997 9 November 2006 21 May 2011 27 December 2014
K753 7 March 1997 6 December 2006 25 April 2011 5 December 2014
K754 Tokyu Car 19 March 1997 22 January 2007 1 September 2011 24 December 2014 Remodelled to E501 SAKIGAKE train in October 2023[6]

E501 SAKIGAKE train

On 25 October 2023, JR East announced that an E501 5-car train has been modified to become the special E501 SAKIGAKE train. This particular set received a new livery that inspires the image of red and white plum blossoms. The interior features tables for customers to eat and have drinks while onboard the train as well as a refrigerator that stores the cold drinks.[6] The set is numbered K754 and it entered service from 23 November 2023 on a special trip on the Joban and Mito lines between Mito and Yuki stations.[7]

References

  1. ^ Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: ＪＲ全車両. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 89. ISBN 978-4-418-09905-4.
  2. ^ Saka, Masahiro (March 2014). "JR第1世代の車両・現況と概要" [JR 1st-generation rolling stock: Current situation and overview]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 43, no. 359. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. p. 22.
  3. ^ a b c JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. pp. 391–392. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m JR電車編成表 2019冬 [JR EMU Formations - Winter 2019]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 14 November 2018. ISBN 978-4-330-93218-7.
  5. ^ a b c JR電車編成表 2014夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2014]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 30 May 2014. p. 43. ISBN 978-4-330-46614-9.
  6. ^ a b "E501 系電車を活用した新しいイベント専用車両 「E501 SAKIGAKE(さきがけ)」がデビューします！" [A new event-specific vehicle "E501 SAKIGAKE" will debut using an E501 series train!] (PDF) (in Japanese). Japan: East Railway Japan Company. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  7. ^ "「E501 SAKIGAKEさきがけ」による団体運転" [Group driving by “E501 SAKIGAKE”]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2024.

Further reading

  • 首都圏新系列車両 Profile: 209/E231/E233系グループの全貌 首都圏新系列車両PROFILE [Tokyo Area New-generation Rolling Stock Profile] (in Japanese). Japan: Ikaros Publishing. 15 April 2011. ISBN 978-4-86320-436-2.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to E501 series.
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