521 series

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521 series
A JR West 521-0 series EMU first build train
Manufacturer
Replaced
Constructed2006–
Entered serviceNovember 2006
Number built162 vehicles (81 sets)
Number in service162 vehicles (81 sets) (as of 2021)
Formation2 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers
  • E01–E05
  • G01–G30
  • J01–J19
  • U01–U15
Operators
DepotsTsuruga, Kanazawa
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length20,100 mm (65 ft 11 in)
Width2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Height3,630 mm (11 ft 11 in)
Floor height1,120 mm (3 ft 8 in)
Doors3 pairs per side
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction systemVariable frequency (3-level IGBT)
Power output230 kW (308 hp) per motor
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC / 20 kV 60 Hz AC (overhead line)
Current collector(s)WPS28D single-arm pantograph
BogiesWDT59B (motored), WTR243C (trailer)
Braking system(s)Electronically controlled pneumatic brakes with regenerative braking, snow-resistant brake
Safety system(s)ATS-SW, ATS-P
Coupling systemShibata type
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 521 series (521系, 521-kei) is a dual-voltage AC/DC outer-suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and third-sector railway operators IR Ishikawa Railway and Ainokaze Toyama Railway on local services in the Fukui and Kanazawa areas since November 2006.[1] In March 2024, Hapi-line Fukui acquired some sets after taking over the section of the Hokuriku Main Line within Fukui Prefecture from JR West.[2]

Design[edit]

The 521 series was the first dual-voltage suburban EMU type to be built for JR West. The body of the first two batches was based on the 223-5000 series suburban EMU design, with the same WMT102C 230 kW traction motors.[3] The sets are able to be used on wanman driver-only operation services.[1]

Operations[edit]

JR West[edit]

Third-sector lines[edit]

Fleet[edit]

As of 1 April 2021, JR West operates 50 two-car sets (E01-E05, G14-G15, G17, G20-G24, G28-G30, J01-J19, U01-U15), allocated to Kanazawa depot and Tsuruga depot. The Ainokaze Toyama Railway operates 22 two-car sets (AK01-AK22), and the IR Ishikawa Railway operates five two-car sets (IR01-IR05).[4]

19 third-batch two-car sets (J01 to J19) were delivered to Tsuruga Depot in fiscal 2013.[5] The third-batch sets have cab ends based on the JR West 225 series EMUs, with improved crash resistance, and use LED lighting for interior lighting.[6] These sets entered revenue service in spring 2014.[6]

15 additional two-car sets were transferred to Hapi-line Fukui in March 2024 following JR West's forefeiture of the Hokuriku Main Line within Fukui prefecture.[2]

Formations[edit]

Sets consist of one motored and one non-powered trailer car, and are formed as follows.[3][5]

Designation Mc Tpc'
Numbering KuMoHa 521 KuHa 520
Capacity (total/seated) 129/48 129/40
Weight 43.2 t 44.3 t

The KuHa 520 cars are each fitted with one WPD28D single-arm pantograph.[5]

Interior[edit]

Seating is arranged as 2+2 abreast transverse flip-over seats. The KuHa 520 cars include a toilet.[5]

  • Interior of a 2nd-batch set in April 2022
    Interior of a 2nd-batch set in April 2022
  • Interior of a 3rd-batch set in July 2022
    Interior of a 3rd-batch set in July 2022
  • Priority seating in July 2022
    Priority seating in July 2022
  • Toilet in July 2022
    Toilet in July 2022
  • LED passenger information display in July 2022
    LED passenger information display in July 2022
  • Fare indicator board for driver-only operated services
    Fare indicator board for driver-only operated services
  • Driver's cab in April 2022
    Driver's cab in April 2022

History[edit]

The first five sets, E01 to E05, were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kinki Sharyo, and were delivered to Fukui depot between September and October 2006. These entered revenue service from 30 November 2006. The fleet was reallocated to Tsuruga Depot from 1 June 2010.[7]

Ten more sets, G01 to G10, built by Kinki Sharyo, were delivered to Kanazawa depot between October 2009 and March 2010, entering revenue service from 13 March 2010.[7] A further five sets, G11 to G15, were delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in December 2010 and January 2011.[7] 15 more sets, M01 to M15, were delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries to Tsuruga Depot between January and March 2011.[7]

Other operators[edit]

16 two-car 521 series sets were transferred to the third-sector railway operating company Ainokaze Toyama Railway for use from 14 March 2015 when JR West handed over ownership of the sections of the Hokuriku Main Line in Toyama Prefecture running parallel to the new Hokuriku Shinkansen.[8] Likewise, three two-car sets were transferred to the IR Ishikawa Railway, which took over control of the section of the Hokuriku Main Line in Ishikawa Prefecture from 14 March 2015.[9] Two more sets were newly built for the IR Ishikawa Railway.[9]

Ainokaze Toyama Railway[edit]

Ainokaze Toyama Railway 521 series set AK02 in January 2018
Ainokaze Toyama Railway 521 series set AK17 in May 2021

As of 1 October 2017, the Ainokaze Toyama Railway 521 series fleet is as follows.[4]

Set No. Former set No. Manufacturer Delivery date
AK01 G06 Kinki Sharyo 27 October 2009
AK02 G07
AK03 G08 22 December 2009
AK04 G09
AK05 G11 15 February 2010
AK06 G12
AK07 G13 2 March 2010
AK08 G15
AK09 G16 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 18 December 2010
AK10 G17
AK11 G18
AK12 G21 12 January 2011
AK13 G23 26 January 2011
AK14 G24
AK15 G31 24 February 2011
AK16 G32
AK17 – 12 December 2017
AK21 - 14 February 2023
AK22 -

Five new two-car 521-1000 series sets are scheduled to be introduced over a period of six years, with the first set delivered in December 2017.[10][needs update] These sets are based on the JR West 3rd-batch design, and are intended to replace the operator's ageing 413 series EMUs.[10]

Sets AK21 and AK22 were delivered in February 2023.[11]

Hapi-line Fukui[edit]

15 more two-car 521 series sets were transferred to the third-sector railway operating company Hapi-line Fukui for use from 16 March 2024 when JR West handed over ownership of the sections of the Hokuriku Main Line in Fukui Prefecture running parallel to the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tsuruga.[2]

IR Ishikawa Railway[edit]

IR Ishikawa Railway 521 series set IR03 in June 2015
A later-build IR Ishikawa Railway 521 series set IR05 in March 2015

As of 4 December 2020, the IR Ishikawa Railway 521 series fleet is as follows.[4][12]

Set No. Former set No. Manufacturer Delivery date Livery accent colour
IR01 G10 Kinki Sharyo 22 December 2009 ■ Light green
IR02 G14 2 March 2010 ■ Purple
IR03 G30 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 15 February 2011 ■ Indigo
IR04 J20 Kinki Sharyo 6 February 2015 ■ Ochre
IR05 J21 6 February 2015 ■ Maroon
IR06 – 3 December 2020 -
IR07 –
IR08 –

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Jr全車両: ビジュアル決定版 Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: ＪＲ全車輌. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 90. ISBN 978-4-418-09905-4.
  2. ^ a b c "福井県並行在来線経営計画" [Fukui Prefecture Parallel Conventional Line Management Plan] (PDF). hapi-line.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  4. ^ a b c Jr電車編成表 2018冬 JR電車編成表 2018冬 [JR EMU Formations – Winter 2018] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 15 November 2017. pp. 138–142. ISBN 978-4-330-84117-5.
  5. ^ a b c d JR電車編成表 2015冬 [JR EMU Formations – Winter 2015] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 21 November 2014. pp. 139–142. ISBN 978-4-330-51614-1.
  6. ^ a b 521系3次車 [521 series 3rd-batch stock]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). 54 (634): 54–55. February 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d JR電車編成表 2011夏 [JR EMU Formations – Summer 2011]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. May 2010. p. 139/142. ISBN 978-4-330-21211-1.
  8. ^ 富山県の北陸新幹線並行在来線、新社名は「あいの風とやま鉄道」に内定! [New company name "Ainokaze Toyama Railway" chosen for old line running parallel to Hokuriku Shinkansen in Toyama Prefecture]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 31 May 2013. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  9. ^ a b Terada, Hirokazu (June 2015). 北陸新幹線長野ー金沢間開業 並行在来線4社5路線を訪ねて（１） [Visiting the 5 parallel conventional lines of 4 companies following the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Nagano and Kanazawa]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). 55 (650): 42–47.
  10. ^ a b あいの風とやま鉄道521系1000番台2両が甲種輸送される [Ainokaze Toyama Railway 521-1000 series 2-car set delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 13 December 2017. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  11. ^ "あいの風とやま鉄道521系4両が甲種輸送される" [Delivery of 521 Series sets AK21 and AK22]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 15 February 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  12. ^ IRいしかわ鉄道向け521系100番代IR06～IR08編成が落成 [IR Ishikawa Railway 521-100 series sets IR06–IR08 delivered]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2023.

Further reading[edit]

  • 521系近郊形交直流電車 [521 series outer-suburban AC/DC EMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). 47 (549): 54–59. January 2007.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to JR West series 521.
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