223 series

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

223 series
223-2000 series train Set W39 at Kobe station, January 2020
In service1994present
ManufacturerHitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo
Built atKudamatsu, Kobe, Higashiōsaka
Replaced103 series, 113 series, 115 series, 117 series, 213 series, 221 series
Constructed19932008
Entered service1994
Refurbished2018
Number built927 vehicles
Number in service926 vehicles
Number scrapped1 vehicle (KuMoYa 223-9001 "U@tech")
Formation2/4/6/8 cars per trainset
Fleet numbersE401–E435, V1–V66, W1–W39, J1–J14, P1–P7, F1–F16, MA1–MA20
Operator(s)JR West
Depot(s)Hineno, Aboshi, Miyahara, Fukuchiyama, Okayama
Line(s) servedTōkaidō Main Line, Sanyō Main Line, Kosei Line, Hokuriku Main Line, Kusatsu Line, Akō Line, Sanin Main Line, Maizuru Line, Osaka Loop Line, Hanwa Line, Kansai Airport Line, Kisei Main Line, Fukuchiyama Line, Seto-Ōhashi Line, Bantan Line
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Width2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Doors3 pairs per side
2 pairs per side (A-SEAT cars)
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph) (223-0/2500/5500/6000 series),
130 km/h (80 mph) (other series)
Traction systemVariable 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)
Acceleration2.5 km/h/s (1.55 mph/s)
Deceleration223-0/2500/5500 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)
Train heatingWAU702 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 collection methodWPS27D scissors-type pantograph
single-arm pantograph (223-9000 series)
BogiesWDT55A (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 systemShibata-Type
Multiple working225 series
221 series (for 223-5500/6000 series only)
JR Shikoku 5000 series (for 223-5000 series only)
213 series (U@tech)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

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 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. Later in the same year, on September 4 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 223-0/223-2500 sees 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.

223-1000 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.

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.

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 bilevel 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.

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.[1]

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.

223-9000 series (U@tech)

U@tech logo

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 is used to test and develop new technology for use on future narrow-gauge trains. The train is based at Suita Depot and began testing on the JR Kyoto Line and JR Kōbe Line from August 2004. and withdrawn in 31 March 2019.[2]

Operations

223-0/2500 series

223-1000/2000 series

223-5000 series

223-5500 series

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)

223-5000 series

Formations

4-car sets (HE prefix)

Car No.1234
Designation T'cMTMc
Numbering KuHa 222-0MoHa 223-0SaHa 223-100KuMoHa 223-0
Designation T'cMTMc
Numbering KuHa 222-2500MoHa 223-2500SaHa 223-2500KuMoHa 223-2500
Designation T'c1MTMc1
Numbering KuHa 222-100MoHa 223-2500SaHa 223-0KuMoHa 223-100
Designation T'cMTMc
Numbering KuHa 222-2500MoHa 223-2500SaHa 223-0KuMoHa 223-2500

The KuMoHa 223 and MoHa 223 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

8-car sets (W prefix)

Car No.12345678
Designation T'cMTTMTTMc
Numbering KuHa 222-1000MoHa 223-1000SaHa 223-1000SaHa 223-1000MoHa 223-1000SaHa 223-1000SaHa 223-1000KuMoHa 223-1000

4-car sets (V prefix)

Car No.1234
Designation T'cMTMc
Numbering KuHa 222-1000MoHa 223-1000SaHa 223-1000KuMoHa 223-1000

The KuMoHa 223 and MoHa 223 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

8-car sets (W prefix)

Car No.12345678
Designation T'cMTTM'TTMc3
Numbering KuHa 222-2000MoHa 223-2000SaHa 223-2000SaHa 223-2000MoHa 222-2000SaHa 223-2000SaHa 223-2000KuMoHa 223-3000
Designation T'cMTTM1TTMc
Numbering KuHa 222-2000MoHa 223-2000SaHa 223-2000SaHa 223-2000MoHa 223-2100SaHa 223-2000SaHa 223-2000KuMoHa 223-2000

6-car sets (J prefix)

Car No.123456
Designation T'cTMTTMc
Numbering KuHa 222-2000SaHa 223-2000MoHa 223-2000SaHa 223-2000SaHa 223-2000KuMoHa 223-2000

4-car sets (V prefix)

Car No.1234
Designation T'cM'3TMc3
Numbering KuHa 222-2000MoHa 222-3000SaHa 223-2000KuMoHa 223-3000
Designation T'cM1TMc
Numbering KuHa 222-2000MoHa 223-2100SaHa 223-2000KuMoHa 223-2000

The KuMoHa 223 and MoHa 223/222 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

2-car sets (P prefix)

Car No.12
Designation T'cMc
Numbering KuHa 222-5000KuMoHa 223-5000

The KuMoHa 223 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

2-car sets (F prefix)

Car No.12
Designation T'cMc
Numbering KuHa 222-5500KuMoHa 223-5500

The KuMoHa 223-5501/5502/5503/5504/5509 cars are equipped with a second de-icing pantograph.

4-car Aboshi depot sets (CV prefix)

Car No.1234
Designation T'cM'3TMc3
Numbering KuHa 222-6000MoHa 222-7000SaHa 223-6000KuMoHa 223-7000

The KuMoHa 223 and MoHa 222 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

4-car Miyahara depot sets (MA prefix)

Car No.1234
Designation T'cM1TMc
Numbering KuHa 222-6000MoHa 223-6100SaHa 223-6000KuMoHa 223-6000

The KuMoHa 223 and MoHa 223 cars are each fitted with two scissors-type pantograph.

223-9000 series (U@tech)

Car No.123
Designation T'zcTzMzc
Numbering KuYa 212-1SaYa 213-1KuMoYa 223-9001

The KuMoYa 223 and cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.

Interior

References

  1. "Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō" magazine, September 2008 issue, p.71
  2. "Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō" magazine, June 2019
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