E129 series

E129 series
A31 in August 2023
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	J-TREC
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Family name	Sustina S23 series
Constructed	2014 – 2022
Number built	176 cars (61 sets)
Dimensions	787 in (20,000 mm) × 117 in (2,966 mm) × 157 in (3,985 mm)
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Traction system	Variable frequency (2-level IGBT)
Service information
In service	6 December 2014 – Present
Formation	2 or 4 cars per set
Number in service	176 cars (61 sets)
Fleet numbers	A1 – A34, B1 – B27
Preservation information
Preserved	0
Number scrapped	0

The E129 series is a Japanese suburban electric multiple unit operated by the East Japan Railway Company since December 2014.

History

The E129 series was constructed to replace aging 115 series cars on various lines due to aging and various other issues.

As of 2017, thirty two-car sets and twenty-five four car sets have been produced for a total of 164 cars. All sets are in service and are based at Niigata Depot.

Design

The E129 series is heavily based on the E233 series, so some design language such as the overall body shape carries over; the overall construction of the E233 series also carries over into the E129 series cars. The E129 series uses dual high-intensity discharge headlights mounted on the top of the car.

The cars are painted "Golden Yellow" to invoke the paddy fields around the area and "Toki Pink" to invoke the crested ibises (toki) living on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture.

Specifications

Construction is of stainless steel based on J-TREC's Sustina concept; the sets themselves are branded the Sustina S23 Series. Each car is 20 meters long. Traction motors are two-level insulated gate bipolar transistor variable frequency drives manufactured by Tōyō Denki Seizō which have a rather melodic cadence.

While they operate in a similar pool to the E127 series sets, the E129 series sets do not operate in multiples with them unless absolutely required. The sets are normally coupled in 2+2, 2+2+2 or 2+4 car formations.

References

• Wikipedia.org