BEC819 series

The BEC819 series (BEC819系), branded "DENCHA" (Dual Energy Charge Train), is a two-car battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) train operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) on inter-running services over the Fukuhoku Yutaka Line and Chikuhō Main Line in Fukuoka Prefecture in northern Kyushu, Japan, since October 2016, and also on the Kashii Line.

BEC819 series
Set Z001 in service in December 2016
Manufacturer	Hitachi
Built at	Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi
Family name	Hitachi A-train
Constructed	2016–
Entered service	19 October 2016
Number built	36 vehicles (18 sets)
Number in service	36 vehicles (18 sets)
Formation	2 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	Z001-Z007 (series 0) other (series 300)
Operator(s)	JR Kyushu
Depot(s)	Nogata Depot
Line(s) served	Fukuhoku Yutaka Line Chikuhō Main Line Kashii Line
Specifications
Car length	20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Width	2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Height	4,096 mm (13 ft 5.3 in)
Floor height	1,125 mm (3 ft 8.3 in)
Doors	3 pairs per side
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction system	MT404K
Power output	95 kW x 4
Electric system(s)	20 kV AC 60 Hz
Current collection method	Overhead catenary
Bogies	DT409K (motored) TR409K (trailer)
Safety system(s)	ATS-DK
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Design

Based on the earlier 817 series electric multiple unit (EMU) trains,[1] styling of the trains was overseen by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka.[1]

The lithium-ion battery system used has a capacity of 360 kWh and operates at 1,598 V.[2]

Operations

The BEC819 series trains are used on through services over the Fukuhoku Yutaka Line electrified at 20 kV AC and the non-electrified Chikuhō Main Line (known as the "Wakamatsu Line") between Orio and Wakamatsu.

Since late 2018/early 2019, they are also used on the non-electrified Kashii Line.[3][4][5]

These newer vehicles used on the Kashii Line belong to the "300" series (11 trainsets in total), while the slightly older ones used on the Wakamatsu Line are the "0" series (7 trainsets in total).

• 
  The pantograph lowered while at Wakamatsu Station on the non-electrified Wakamatsu Line in December 2016

Formations

As of 8 June 2019, the fleet consists of eighteen two-car sets formed as follows, with one motored ("Mc") car and one non-powered trailer ("TC") car.[6][7]

Designation	Tc	Mc
Numbering	KuHa BEC818	KuMoHa BEC819
Weight (t)	35.5	36.6
Capacity (total/seated)	131/40	133/40

• The KuMoHa BEC819 car has one single-arm pantograph.[7]
• The KuHa BEC818 car has a toilet at the inner end.[7]

Interior

Internally, LED lighting is used throughout.[8]

• 
  The interior of set Z001 in December 2016

History

Set Z001 undergoing testing in June 2016

Initial details of the new train were formally announced by JR Kyushu on 29 January 2016.[8] A pre-series two-car train was delivered from Hitachi's factory in Yamaguchi Prefecture in April 2016.[9] This underwent testing before entering revenue-earning service on 19 October 2016.[10][8] In May 2017, the BEC819 series was awarded the 2017 Blue Ribbon Award, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.[11]

Build histories

The individual build histories of the fleet are as follows.[6]

Set No.	Manufacturer	Date delivered
Z001	Hitachi	12 May 2016
Z002	Hitachi	14 February 2017
Z003	Hitachi	14 February 2017
Z004	Hitachi	14 February 2017
Z005	Hitachi	25 February 2017
Z006	Hitachi	25 February 2017
Z007	Hitachi	25 February 2017

See also

• Smart BEST, a self-charging BEMU train developed by Kinki Sharyo in 2012
• EV-E301 series, a DC BEMU introduced by JR East on the Karasuyama Line in 2014
• EV-E801 series, an AC BEMU introduced by JR East on the Oga Line in 2017

References

1. JR九州 架線式蓄電池電車"DENCHA"今秋デビュー [JR Kyushu "DENCHA" battery train to debut this autumn]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
2. Taguchi, Yoshiaki; et al. (January 2018). "Development and Evaluation of the Traction Circuit for Battery-Powered and AC-Fed Hybrid Train". RTRI Report. 32 (1): 41. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
3. "筑肥線「糸島高校前駅」が開業します。香椎線が快適に生まれ変わります。" (PDF) (Press release). 九州旅客鉄道. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
4. "蓄電池電車「DENCHA」、非電化の香椎線に進出 JR九州". 乗りものニュース. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
5. "JR九州、蓄電池電車導入拡大へ". 共同通信. 12 December 2018. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
6. 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. p. 221. ISBN 978-4-330-84117-5.
7. BEC819系 交流架線式蓄電池電車 [819 series overhead-wire battery EMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56 no. 667. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 2016. pp. 70–71.
8. JR九州、819系「DENCHA」デビューへ エコでスマートな“蓄電池電車” [JR Kyushu to introduce 819 series "DENCHA" - an economical and smart battery train]. Tetsudo Shimbun (in Japanese). Japan. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
9. 819系が甲種輸送される [819 series delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
10. 地球にやさしい“蓄電池電車”「ＤＥＮＣＨＡ」運行開始 ＪＲ筑豊線 [Environmentally friendly "Dencha" battery train enters service on JR Chikuho Line]. Sankei West (in Japanese). Japan: The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital. 19 October 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
11. "2017's Blue Ribbon Prize and Laurel Prize". jrc.gr.jp. Japan: Japan Railfan Club. May 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.

Further reading

• Hatada, Kenji (December 2016). BEC819系 交流架線式蓄電池電車 [BEC819 series AC BEMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56 no. 668. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 60–65.

External links

• JR Kyushu press release (29 January 2016) (in Japanese)