221 series

221 series
NB804 in August 2023
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Hitachi, JR West's Gotō Works, JR West's Takatori Works, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1989 – 1992
Number built	474 cars (81 sets)
Dimensions	791 in (20,100 mm) (end cars) × 116 in (2,950 mm) × 163 in (4,140 mm)
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Traction system	Field system superimposed field excitation resistor control
Service information
In service	11 March 1989 – Present
Branding	Amenity Liner (briefly)
Formation	2, 4, 6 or 8 cars per set
Number in service	474 cars (81 sets)
Fleet numbers	B14 – B15, NA401 – NA417, NA431 – NA435, NB801, NB803 – NB809, NC601 – NC628, F01 – F05, K03 – K09, K12 – K18, K21
Preservation information
Preserved	N/A
Number scrapped	N/A

The 221 series is a Japanese suburban electric multiple unit operated by the West Japan Railway Company since March 1989.

History

The 221 series was designed to be a suburban train that was capable of competing with various private railways which use similar locomotives. A total of 474 cars were produced from 1989 to 1992. The designation of the train was originally slated to either be something like 215 or 217 series, but the designation of "221 series" was eventually settled on as it was the first commuter train the then-newly-formed JR West introduced to their lines, hence the "1" in the designation.

All 474 cars are in service, all based at either the Aboshi, Nara or Kyoto Depots. The sets underwent refurbishment starting in 2012, which involved improvements such as the addition of new universal-access toilets, the changing of headlights from halogen-type headlights to dual beam high-intensity discharge headlights, flip-up seating next to the doorways and the provision of wheelchair spaces among other improvements.

Design

The 221 series adopted a modern design language for suburban commuter trains which would be carried on onto more modern suburban commuter trains built for JR West, such as the 223 and 521 series.

Specifications

Construction is of steel. End cars are 20.1 meters long while intermediate cars are 20 meters long. The 221 series trains use resistor-controlled traction systems which power traction motors, which was considered obsolete at the time due to the introduction of the variable frequency drive. The 221 series' traction systems appear to be of the same specifications as those used on the 205 and 213 series.

Trivia

• The sets were originally branded the Amenity Liner, though the branding was removed shortly after.

References

• Wikipedia.org