223 series - Misplaced Pages

Japanese train type

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223 series
223-2000 series set W15, February 2021
In service	1994–present
Manufacturer	Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo
Built at	Kudamatsu, Kobe, Higashiōsaka
Replaced	103 series, 113 series, 115 series, 117 series, 213 series, 221 series
Constructed	1993–2008
Entered service	1994
Refurbished	2018–
Number built	927 vehicles
Number in service	926 vehicles
Number scrapped	1 vehicle (KuMoYa 223-9001 "U@tech")
Formation	2/4/6/8 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	HE401–HE435 (223-0/2500 series) V1–V55, V58–V66 (223-1000/2000/Aboshi-based 6000 series 4-car sets) W1–W39 (223-1000/2000 series 8-car sets) J1–J14 (223-2000 series 6-car sets) P1–P7 (223-5000 series) F1–F16 (223-5500 series) MA1–MA20 (Miyahara-based 223-6000 series) R01-R02 (Kyoto-based 223-6000 series)
Operators	JR West
Depots	Hineno, Kyoto, Aboshi, Miyahara, Fukuchiyama, Okayama
Lines served	A Tōkaidō Main Line A Sanyō Main Line A Hokuriku Main Line A Akō Line B Kosei Line C Kusatsu Line E Sanin Main Line G Fukuchiyama Line J Bantan Line L Maizuru Line O Osaka Loop Line R Hanwa Line S Kansai Airport Line W Kisei Main Line Seto-Ōhashi Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Width	2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Doors	3 pairs per side 2 pairs per side (A-SEAT cars)
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph) (223-0/2500/5500/6000 series), 130 km/h (81 mph) (other series)
Traction system	Variable frequency 3-level GTO (223-0 series) 3-level IGBT (223-1000/5000 series) 2-level IGBT (223-9000 series) 2 or 3-level IGBT (other series)
Acceleration	2.5 km/(h⋅s) (1.6 mph/s)
Deceleration	223-0/2500/5500 series:3.5 km/(h⋅s) (2.2 mph/s) (service) 4.2 km/(h⋅s) (2.6 mph/s) (emergency) other series:4.3 km/(h⋅s) (2.7 mph/s) (service) 5.2 km/(h⋅s) (3.2 mph/s) (emergency)
HVAC	WAU702 x2 (223-0 series) WAU705 x2 (powered car), WAU304 x2 (trailer car)(223-1000 series) WAU705A x2 (other series)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead
Current collector(s)	WPS27D scissors-type pantograph single-arm pantograph (223-9000 series)
Bogies	WDT55A (powered car),WTR239A (trailer car)(223-0 series) WDT56 (powered car),WTR234 (trailer car)(223-1000 series) WDT56XA (223-9000 series) WDT59 (powered car),WTR243 (trailer car)(other series)
Braking system(s)	Dynamic brake (223-9000 series), regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, snow-resistant brake
Safety system(s)	ATS-SW, ATS-P (except 223-5000 series)
Coupling system	Shibata-Type
Multiple working	225 series 221 series (for 223-5500/6000 series only) JR Shikoku 5000 series (for 223-5000 series only) 213 series (U@tech)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 223 series (223系, 223-kei) is a suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) in the Kansai region, Chūgoku region and Shikoku region of Japan. Multiple batches of the model have been built with varying differences (particularly motor output control), although the overall general appearance remains similar.

Design of the rolling stock was an improved adaptation of the 221 series, with three pairs of doors per side per car and a transverse seating layout. Production of the train type first began in 1993.

Variants

223-0, 223-2500 series

The first model (223-0) was delivered earlier than expected, and saw introduction into service on 1 April 1994, on the Hanwa Line. On 4 September of the same year, it began serving the Kansai Airport Line Rapid Service as Kansai International Airport opened. The train was initially fitted with luggage racks, for passengers travelling to/from the airport. A 1 + 2 seating configuration has been adopted to allow passengers to place bulky luggage on the floor where necessary.

Between 1996 and 1998, baggage cars were included, but due to lack of use it was reverted. Unable to cope with the increasing passenger traffic, new cars were produced and designated as the 223-2500, based on the 223-2000 model. These cars were introduced in 1999.

The 223-0 and 223-2500 series see regular service on the Osaka Loop Line, Hanwa Line (and Kansai Airport Line), and the Kisei Main Line. They are typically operated in 4+4-car formations, uncoupled at Hineno.

In May 2018, set HE401 was refurbished, and began test running later on the same month.

223-0 series as it was when it first appeared, August 2004
223-0 series set HE411, July 2017
State before attaching the safety fence set HE431, July 2019
223-2500 series set HE425, July 2017
The first refurbished set, HE401, November 2018

223-1000 series

This sub-series was manufactured in 1995, and were quickly pressed into service in the summer of the same year to curb dwindling passenger travel in the aftermath of the Great Hanshin earthquake, replacing older 221 series sets on Special Rapid services. The trains sport a higher top service speed of 130 km/h, and were manufactured jointly between Kinki Sharyo, Hitachi, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Fold-up seats replace some of the regular ones, in order to increase standing capacity during peak hours. To lower the center of gravity, air-conditioning units have been shifted to the bottom of the carriages.

The 223-1000 series is used on several routes: Hokuriku Main Line, Tōkaidō Main Line, Sanyō Main Line, Kosei Line, Kusatsu Line, and Sagano Line. A total of 92 cars were produced, and they are typically in 4- or 8-car formations.

In Q1 2019, select 223-1000 end cars on 4-car sets underwent modifications to introduce the "A-Seat", a reserved seat service currently found on select 12-car Special Rapid Service trains. On these cars, straight blue stripes run along the sides of the car and the center door is permanently sealed. Seating is in a 2 + 2 configuration and WiFi is equipped along with power outlets.

State before attaching the safety fence set W6, November 2007
With safety fence attached 4-car set V4, January 2021
223-1000 series refurbished 4-car set V5, April 2021
223-1000 series A-SEAT car, April 2019

223-2000 series

In 1999, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kinki Sharyo received a further order of 236 cars. This sub-series was built with substantial improvements: for example universal access toilets and heat absorbent windows. Its formation and assignment of routes are similar to the 223-1000 model.

State before attaching the safety fence set W30, November 2007
The prototype unit, 4-car set V7, 16 February 2021
223-2000 series 6-car set J14, March 2021
223-2000 series 8-car set W25, January 2021

223-5000 series

This sub-series was built in 2003 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, intended to replace the aging 213 series operating on the Marine Liner services on the Seto-Ōhashi line. It can be coupled to the bi-level (double deck) JR Shikoku 5000 series, and ATS-P is not utilized. It was subsequently introduced on October 1 of the same year. JR-West classifies its sets as 223-5000, while JR Shikoku classifies its sets as 5000 series which were delivered as 3 car sets but subsequently reduced to two car sets (plus the bi-level reserved seat car).

223-5000 series set P3, September 2018
A 223-5000 series (right) coupled with a JR Shikoku 5000 series (left)

223-5500 series

16 2-car sets were delivered in 2008, with the first sets entering service in July 2008. These sets are based at Fukuchiyama Depot, and are equipped for wanman driver-only-operation. Formation is KuMoHa223-5500 + KuHa222-5500.

223-5500 series set F16, October 2019

223-6000 series

This sub-series was created by modifying 223-2000 series sets with performance restricted to match that of 221 series sets. The first 4-car set (V25) was returned to service on 21 January 2008. These sets are distinguished by an orange stripe on the front gangway doors between the headlight clusters.

223-6000 series set V26 leading an 8-car consist
Driver's cab of a 223-6000 series

223-9000 series (U@tech)

In September 2004, JR-West unveiled the 3-car "U@tech" (you, Urban Network, ubiquitous, future + technology) experimental EMU converted from former Kawasaki Heavy Industries KuMoHa 223-9001, which was the prototype of the 223-2000 series and Seto-Ōhashi Line 213 series cars. This set was used to test and develop new technology for use on future narrow-gauge trains. It was based at Suita Depot and began testing on the JR Kyoto Line and JR Kobe Line from August 2004, and was withdrawn on 31 March 2019.

KuMoYa 223-9001

Gallery

WDT59 powered bogie
WTR243A trailer bogie

Operations

JR-West

223-6000 (Aboshi depot) series

Tōkaidō Main Line (Biwako Line, JR Kyoto Line, JR Kobe Line) (Maibara - Kōbe)
Sanyō Main Line (JR Kobe Line) (Kōbe - Kamigōri)
Bantan Line (Himeji - Teramae, sometimes substituted for 103 and 221 series)
Akō Line (Aioi - Banshū-Akō)

223-6000 (Miyahara depot) series

Tōkaidō Main Line (JR Kobe Line) (Ōsaka - Amagasaki)
Fukuchiyama Line (JR Takarazuka Line) (Amagasaki - Sasayamaguchi or Fukuchiyama)

223-6000 (Kyoto depot) series

Tōkaidō Main Line (Biwako Line) (Kyoto - Yamashina)
Kosei Line (Yamashina - Nagahara)
Sanin Main Line (Sagano Line) (Kyoto - Goma)

JR Shikoku

223-5000 series

Seto-Ōhashi Line (Marine Liner)
- Honshi-Bisan Line (Kojima - Utazu)
- Yosan Line (Utazu - Takamatsu)