E353 series

The E353 series (E353系) is a DC tilting electric multiple unit (EMU) train operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan on limited express services on the Chuo Main Line since December 2017.

E353 series
E353 series on a Super Azusa service in December 2017
Manufacturer	J-TREC
Built at	Yokohama
Replaced	E351 series, E257 series
Constructed	2015–
Entered service	23 December 2017
Number built	213 vehicles (31 sets)
Formation	9+3 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	S101–S120, S201–S211
Capacity	686 (656 standard + 30 Green)
Operator(s)	JR East
Depot(s)	Matsumoto
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminium alloy
Car length	20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in) (intermediate cars) 21,000 mm (68 ft 11 in) (end cars)
Width	2,920 mm (9 ft 7 in)
Height	3,540 mm (11 ft 7 in)
Floor height	1,130 mm (3 ft 8 in)
Doors	One per side
Maximum speed	130 km/h (80 mph)
Traction system	Variable frequency (IGBT)
Acceleration	2.0 km/h/s
Deceleration	5.2 km/h/s
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Current collection method	PS39 single-arm pantographs
Bogies	DT81, DT82 (motored), TR265 (trailer)
Safety system(s)	ATS-P, ATS-PS
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

A pre-series train, consisting of one nine-car set (set S101) and one three-car set (set S201), was delivered in July 2015 for performance testing.[1] These trains replaced the older E351 series EMUs used on Super Azusa (Now Azusa) limited express services on the Chuo Main Line between Shinjuku in Tokyo and Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture.[1] Originally intended to enter revenue service in spring 2016,[2] the first trains entered service on 23 December 2017.[3]

E353 series train in July 2018

Design

The exterior styling was overseen by the industrial design firm Ken Okuyama Design.[4] Like the E351 series trains which they are scheduled to replace, the new E353 series trains incorporate tilting technology to allow faster speeds around curves.[5] The trains use a pneumatic tilt system (instead of the pendulum system used in the older trains) and an active suspension to reduce tilt times and help reduce motion sickness in passengers. The train features a database of curves along the line, allowing the train to begin tilting before reaching the curve. The pre-series train also had dampers installed between the cars to reduce vibrations, but this feature was discontinued on the subsequent production trainsets.[6] Maximum operating speed is 130 km/h (80 mph).[6] To reduce any step up from station platforms, the train floor height is 1,130 mm (3 ft 8 in), 10 mm lower than on E259 series and E657 series trains.[7]

• 
  Closeup of the gangway connection between sets S101 (left) and S201 (right) in July 2015
• 
  The PS39 single-arm pantograph on MoHa E353-1 (car 10) in July 2015

Bogies

The trains use bolsterless bogies developed from those used on earlier E259 series and E657 series trains.[7] Motored bogies with capability for retrofitting anti-oscillation equipment (rear bogies on car 1 and 3) are designated DT81, motored bogies equipped anti-roll devices (cars 2, 5, 7, and 10) are designated DT82, and motor bogies not equipped with either (cars 6 and 11) are designated DT81A.[7] Non-powered (trailer) bogies are designated TR265, and are equipped with a parking brake and capability for retrofitting anti-oscillation equipment, but those not equipped with a parking brake (rear bogies on cars 4 and 14, and both bogies on car 9) are designated TR265A, and those on car 8, which not equipped with either are designated TR265B.[7]

Formations

Trains consist of a nine-car main set (with five cars motored), numbered S101 onward, and a three-car add-on set, numbered S201 onward, with car 1 at the southern (Shinjuku) end as follows.[7][8]

Car No.	1	2	3		4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Designation	Mc	M1-1000	Mc'		Tc	M-500	M'-500	M2-2000	T	Ts	M	M'	Tc'
Numbering	KuMoHa E353	MoHa E353-1000	KuMoHa E352		KuHa E353	MoHa E353-500	MoHa E352-500	MoHa E353-2000	SaHa E353	SaRo E353	MoHa E353	MoHa E352	KuHa E352
Weight	38.8	40.3	39.9		38.9	39.5	38.3	37.7	35.7	33.1	39.1	38.3	36.1
Capacity	46[* 1]	46	58[* 2]		48	66[* 3]	64	66[* 3]	64	30	64[* 4]	64	58[* 2]

1. 48 on pre-series set
2. 60 on pre-series set
3. 68 on pre-series set
4. 66 on pre-series set

• 
  KuMoHa E353-1 (car 1)
• 
  MoHa E353-1001 (car 2)
• 
  KuMoHa E352-1 (car 3)
• 
  KuHa E353-1 (car 4)
• 
  MoHa E353-501 (car 5)
• 
  MoHa E352-501 (car 6)
• 
  MoHa E353-2001 (car 7)
• 
  SaHa E353-1 (car 8)
• 
  SaRo E353-1 (car 9)
• 
  MoHa E353-1 (car 10)
• 
  MoHa E352-1 (car 11)
• 
  KuHa E352-1 (car 12)

Cars 2 and 5 each have two single-arm pantographs (only one is normally used), and cars 7 and 10 each have one.[7] Cars 1 and 3 each have only one motored bogie (at the inner ends).[7]

Interior

Green car (first class) accommodation is in 2+2 abreast configuration with a seat pitch of 1,160 mm (46 in).[8] The wine red seat covers are intended to create subdued atmosphere.[9] Standard class is also arranged 2+2 with a seat pitch of 960 mm (38 in), compared to 970 mm (38 in) for Super Azusa E351 series trains.[10] The pale blue seat covers are intended to evoke images of the Azusa River, after which the train service was named.[9] AC power outlets are provided at each seat.[1] The trains include universal access toilets and security cameras.[1] LED lighting is used on these trains, for the first time on JR East limited express rolling stock.[9]

While not initially included in the pre-series train, luggage racks are installed in cars 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 12.[6]

Inside, the floors feature rubber coverings to reduce the noise of footsteps. Individual seat numbers are written in braille and each seat has an individual air diffuser for passenger comfort. The cars also feature air purifiers using ozone to reduce unpleasant odors.[11]

• 
  The interior of an ordinary-class car in January 2018
• 
  AC power outlets inside an ordinary-class car in January 2018
• 
  The interior of a Green car in January 2018

Toilets

Cars 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11 have toilet facilities as follows.[8]

Car No.	Urinal	Western-style WC	Universal-access WC	Washroom
1	◌	◌		◌
2			◌	◌
4	◌	◌		◌
6	◌	◌		◌
8	◌	◌		◌
9	◌		◌	◌
11	◌	◌		◌

History

Details of the new trains on order were first officially announced by JR East in February 2014.[2]

The first trainset, consisting of one nine-car and one three-car set, was delivered from the Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-TREC) factory in Yokohama to Matsumoto Depot in July 2015.[12][13] Mainline test running started on 29 July 2015.[14] The pre-series train was formally shown off to the media on 2 August 2015.[9]

As of June 2017, the train was still undergoing test running.[15]

In October 2017, JR East announced that the first trains would enter revenue service on Super Azusa services from 23 December 2017, by which date three pairs of (9+3-car) trainsets would be available.[16]

The trains were awarded the 2018 Laurel Prize by the Japan Railfan Club. [17]

From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2018, all Super Azusa services will be operated by E353 series trains, and over the following two years, the E257 series trainsets used on Azusa and Kaiji services are also scheduled to be replaced by E353 series trains.[18]

Build details

Pre-series sets S101 and S201 next to Jimmuji Station on delivery from the J-TREC factory in Yokohama in July 2015

The manufacturer and delivery dates for the fleet are as shown below.

Set No.	Manufacturer	Date delivered
S101	J-TREC	29 July 2015[19]
S102	J-TREC	15 October 2017[20]
S103	J-TREC	8 November 2017[20]
S104	J-TREC	20 December 2017[20]
S201	J-TREC	29 July 2015[19]
S202	J-TREC	15 October 2017[20]
S203	J-TREC	8 November 2017[20]
S204	J-TREC	20 December 2017[20]

References

1. "中央線新型特急電車（E353系）量産先行車新造について" [Details of new pre-series E353 series limited express trains for Chuo Line]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
2. Saito, Masatoshi (4 February 2014). 中央線特急:「スーパーあずさ」後継に「Ｅ３５３系」 [E353 series - the successor for Chuo Line "Super Azusa" limited express services]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
3. E353系が営業運転を開始 [E353 series enters revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 23 December 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
4. "中央線新型特急「E353系」量産先行車新造へ－2015年夏以降に完成" [Pre-series E353 series limited express to be built for Chuo Line]. Hachioji Keizai Shimbun (in Japanese). Japan: Factory ZIAS G.K. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
5. "JR東日本、E353系量産先行車を新造 - 特急「スーパーあずさ」E351系置換え" [JR East to build new E353 series, replacing limited express "Super Azusa" E351 series]. MyNavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
6. E353系　営業開始 [E353 series to enter revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 58 no. 681. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. January 2018. p. 50–51.
7. Ishida, Toshiyuki (December 2015). E353系特急形直流電車 [E353 series limited express DC EMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 55 no. 656. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 46–53.
8. Watanabe, Ryutaro (February 2018). E353系量産車 [E353 series full-production sets]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 58 no. 682. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 42–48.
9. Kondo, Takashi (2 August 2015). スーパーあずさ：デザインもフェラーリ風？　新型電車公開 [New Super Azusa unveiled - Design also Ferrari-style?]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. Archived from the original on 3 August 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
10. E353系量産先行車 [E353 series pre-series train]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 55 no. 654. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. October 2015. pp. 10–17.
11. Japan Railway Journal- New Generation Express: Journey to Speed and Comfortability. Japan Railway Journal. Japan: NHK World-Japan. 2016. Event occurs at 6:30. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
12. "JR東日本E353系量産先行車、中央本線特急用の新型車両ついに登場!" [New JR East E353 series pre-series train for Chuo Line limited express services arrives]. MyNavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
13. 甲種鉄道車両輸送計画表 [Rolling stock delivery schedules]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 44 no. 376. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. August 2015. p. 128.
14. E353系の試運転が始まる [E353 series test running starts]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 30 July 2015. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
15. E353系の試運転が行なわれる [E353 series test-run]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 25 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
16. Ueshin, Daisuke (26 October 2017). JR東日本E353系、新型車両の特急「スーパーあずさ」12/23デビュー [New JR East E353 series to debut on "Super Azusa" limited express from 23 December]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. Archived from the original on 20 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
17. Japan Railfan Club (2018). "JRC 2018 Blue Ribbon Prize and Laurel Prize". Japan Railfan Club. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
18. 来年３月に現行車両「Ｅ３５１系」引退　スーパーあずさ、新型に [E351 series to be retired by next spring with new trains for "Super Azusa" services]. Sankei Photo (in Japanese). Japan: The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital. 29 October 2017. Archived from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
19. JR電車編成表 2017夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2017] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 18 May 2017. p. 102. ISBN 978-4-330-78717-6.
20. JR車両のうごき [JR rolling stock changes]. Tetsudo Daiya Joho Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 47 no. 407. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. March 2018. p. 102.

External links

• JR East press release announcing new trains (in Japanese)
• E353 series design details on Ken Okuyama Design website (in Japanese)