215 series

The 215 series (215系) is a bilevel suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in the Kantō region of Japan since 1992.[1]

215 series
215 series in July 2002
In service	1992–Present
Manufacturer	Hitachi, Nippon Sharyo
Family name	Double Decker Liner
Constructed	1992–1993
Entered service	4 April 1992
Number built	40 vehicles (4 sets)
Number in service	40 vehicles (4 sets)
Formation	10 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	NL1–4
Operator(s)	JR East
Depot(s)	Kōzu
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Width	2,900 mm (9 ft 6 in)
Doors	2 per side
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction system	Resistor control + field system superimposed field excitation control
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Current collection method	PS24 pantograph
Safety system(s)	ATS-SN, ATS-P
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Design

The trains were built jointly by Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo.[2]

Formation

All sets consist of 10 cars with only the first two cars at each end powered. Cars 4 and 5 are "Green" (first class) cars.[3]

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Designation	Mc	M'D	TD	TSD	TSD	TD	TD	TD	M'D	Mc
Numbering	KuMoHa 215	MoHa 214	SaHa 215-200[* 1]	SaRo 214	SaRo 215	SaHa 214	SaHa 214	SaHa 215-100[* 2]	MoHa 214-100	KuMoHa 215-100

1. Car 3 of Set NL1 is numbered SaHa 215-2.
2. Car 8 of Set NL1 is numbered SaHa 215-1.

Interior

• 
  Lower level Green car seating
• 
  Lower level ordinary class seating
• 
  Priority seat in lower level ordinary class saloon

History

The first trainset was delivered in March 1992, and entered service from 4 April 1992[3] on Tōkaidō Main Line daytime Acty rapid services and evening Shōnan Liner services. Three more sets were delivered in October 1993.[3]

From December 2001, the 215 series fleet was removed from Tōkaidō Line Acty services, and reassigned to new Shōnan-Shinjuku Line services between Shinjuku and Yokosuka. Their use on Shōnan-Shinjuku Line services continued until 16 October 2004,[3] from which date all Shōnan-Shinjuku Line services were standardized with E231 series rolling stock.

From October 2004 onward, scheduled services using 215 series stock were limited to a small number of weekday Home Liner services, with only occasional holiday weekend workings, such as the Holiday Rapid View Yamanashi.[3]

References

1. JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. pp. 267–268. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
2. Saka, Masahiro (March 2014). "JR第1世代の車両・現況と概要" [JR 1st-generation rolling stock: Current situation and overview]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). 43 (359): 23.
3. JR電車編成表 2011夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2011]. Japan: JRR. May 2010. p. 80. ISBN 978-4-330-21211-1.

External links

• 215 series on JR East website (in Japanese)