E257 series

E257 series
NA02 on an Odoriko service in August 2023
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Hitachi, Kinki Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation
Designer(s)	Kenji Ekuan
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Family name	A-Train
Constructed	2001 – 2005
Number built	249 cars
Dimensions	827 in (21,000 mm) (end cars) × 116 in (2,946 mm) × 157 in (3,980 mm)
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Traction system	Variable frequency (IGBT)
Service information
In service	1 December 2001 – Present
Branding	Bōsō Express E257 (E257-500 series only)
Formation	2, 5 or 9 cars per set
Number in service	239 cars
Fleet numbers	NA01 – NA13, NB01 – NB05, NB08 – NB12, NB15 – NB19, NC31 – NC34, OM51 – OM55, OM91 – OM93
Refurbished	2019 – Present
Scrapped	2020
Preservation information
Preserved	N/A
Number scrapped	10 cars

The E257 series is a Japanese high-capacity limited express electric multiple unit operated by the East Japan Railway Company since December 2001, mainly on the Odoriko and Shōnan limited express services.

History

The E257 series was designed in 2001 to replace aging 183 and 189 series sets on Azusa services, along with the 165 series sets as a whole. These entered service on 1 December 2001 and have been used on the Azusa and Kaiji services ever since.

Originally, sixteen nine-car sets, numbered M101 to M116, and five "add-on" two-car sets, numbered M201 to M205, were produced in 2001; these sets are numbered in the -0 sub-series. Nineteen additional five-car sets used to replace 183 series sets on Sazanami services were produced from 2004 to 2005, entering service on 16 October 2004 and used on the Sazanami and Wakashio services since then. The additional nineteen sets are numbered in the -500 sub-series. The sets are based at the Matsumoto, Makuhari and Ōmiya Depots.

The E257 series sets are notable for currently being the most numerous limited express electric multiple unit operated by any branch of the Japanese Railways, with 249 cars produced; while technically the 683 series sets operated by JR West had higher production figures with 270 cars produced, the scrapping of some 683 series cars and the conversion of others to 289 series cars invalidates the claim.

From 2019 to 2022, all E257-0 series sets and most E257-500 series were converted at JR East's Akita, Nagano and Yokohama Works. The sets are currently mainly used on the Odoriko and Shōnan services after having been phased out from the Azusa and Kaiji services. With the 16 March 2024 timetable revisions the sets are expected to take over the Shiosai and Wakashio services from the 255 series cars.

Design

The E257-0 series sets uses a contemporary design with a white body with black accents, while the E257-500 series sets use a white body with yellow accents, similar to the older 255 series sets. The train uses a "relaxation in simplicity" design language, which gives it its shape.

Refurbished sport a newer livery with teal or green accents and a "Series E257" logo splashed on the front, reflecting the colors of the Odoriko service. These sport LED lamp fixtures as opposed to high-intensity discharge headlights.

Cab variations

There are three cab design variations of the E257 series. Two are used by the E257-0, E257-2000, and E257-5000 series sets (one is a gangwayed cab end, the other is a standard cab end) and the third is used by the E257-500, E257-2500, and E257-5500 series sets.

E257-0 series set M104 (now NA04) in June 2017

E257-0 series set M106 (now NA05) in October 2005, showing off its gangwayed cab end

E257-500 series set NB01 in September 2011

E257-2000 series set NA03 in September 2019, showing off its gangwayed cab end

E257-2500 series set NC32 (ex-NB07) on a Shōnan service in June 2021

Specifications

Construction is of a double-skinned aluminum alloy based on the Hitachi A-Train concept. End cars are 21 meters long while intermediate cars are 20.5 meters long. The sets use insulated gate bipolar transistor variable frequency drives; the E257-0 series sets use Hitachi IGBT drives which produce a melodic wail while the E257-500 series sets use Mitsubishi IGBT drives which produce a hissing sound.

The sets have LED screens on the front which display the service the train is currently working. The headlights of the sets use a combination of one large shield-beam headlight combined with a far smaller high-intensity discharge headlight fixture; the taillights of the sets are red LEDs. The TIMS system comes standard with the E257 series sets.

Refurbished sets feature a new Mitsubishi IGBT drive which make a quiet hissing sound. The frontal LED screens were also given new programming.

All E257 series sets are equipped with a later version of a musical horn that is standard on most of JR East's Limited Express fleet. The musical horn is usually blasted when a set is about to depart.

References

• Wikipedia.org