715 series

The 715 series (715系) was an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type introduced in February 1984 by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and later operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) on local services in Japan. They were converted from former 581/583 series sleeping car EMUs.[1]

715 series
715-0 series train at Hizen-Yamaguchi Station, 1987
In service1984–1998
ManufacturerJNR
Constructed1967-1972 (as 581 / 583 series)
Refurbished1984-1985 (converted from 581 / 583 series)
Number built108 vehicles (27 sets)
Number in serviceNone
Number preserved1 vehicle
Formation4 cars per trainset
Operator(s)JNR (1984-1987)
JR East, JR Kyushu (1987-1998)
Depot(s)Minami-Fukuoka, Sendai
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length20,500 mm (67 ft 3 in)
Width2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Doors2 per side
Maximum speed100 km/h (60 mph)
Traction systemResistor control
Electric system(s)20 kV AC (60 Hz) (715-0 series)
20 kV AC (50/60 Hz) (715-1000 series)
Current collection methodOverhead catenary
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Operations

12 4-car 715-0 series sets converted from former 581 series EMU cars were introduced from February 1984 on Nagasaki Main Line and Sasebo Line local services in Kyushu alongside new 713 series EMUs.[1]

15 4-car 715-1000 series sets converted from former 581/583 series EMU cars were introduced from March 1985 on Tōhoku Main Line local services in the Sendai area.[1]

Formations

715-0 series
KuHa 715-101 in JR Kyushu livery with blue bodyside stripe

The 12 JR Kyushu 4-car sets based at Minami-Fukuoka Depot were formed as shown below. Sets NM101–110 had a KuHa 715-100 converted cab car at one end, while sets NM111–112 had converted cab cars at both ends.[2]

Sets NM101–110
Designation TcMM'Tc'
Numbering KuHa 715-100MoHa 715MoHa 714KuHa 715

Sets NM111–112
Designation TcMM'Tc'
Numbering KuHa 715-100MoHa 715MoHa 714KuHa 714

The MoHa 714 cars were each fitted with one pantograph.[2]

715-1000 series
JR East 715-1000 series set

The 15 JR East 4-car sets (N1–15) based at Sendai Depot were formed as follows.[2]

Designation TcMM'Tc'
Numbering KuHa 715-1100MoHa 715-1000MoHa 714-1000KuHa 715-1000

The MoHa 714 cars were each fitted with one pantograph.[2]

  • KuHa715
  • MoHa714
  • MoHa715
  • KuHa715-100

Interior
  • Interior of preserved KuHa 715-1, January 2007

Rebuilding

The sets were rebuilt from surplus former 581/583 series EMU cars at JNR factories in Tsuchisaki (Akita), Kōriyama (Fukushima), Mattō (Ishikawa), and Kokura (Kitakyūshū). Rebuilding work involved removing the upper sleeper berths, adding longitudinal bench seating at the ends of cars, increasing the number of doorways, reducing the number of toilets and washing areas, and the addition of slab-front cab ends to some former intermediate cars.[1]

715-0 series
Rebuilt carFormer identityModification details
KuHa 715KuHaNe 581Doorway added
KuHa 715-100SaHaNe 581Driving cab added, toilet removed
KuHa 714SaHaNe 581Driving cab added,
MoHa 714MoHaNe 580Doorway added, one pantograph removed, toilet removed
MoHa 715MoHaNe 581

715-1000 series
Rebuilt carFormer identityModification details
KuHa 715-1000KuHaNe 581Doorway added
KuHa 715-1100SaHaNe 581Driving cab added, toilet removed
MoHa 714-1000MoHaNe 582Doorway added, one pantograph removed, toilet removed
MoHa 715-1000MoHaNe 583

History

The JR East 715-1000 series sets were withdrawn from revenue service on 13 March 1998.[2]

The remaining JR Kyushu 715-0 series sets were finally withdrawn from service on 26 March 1998.[2]

Preserved examples
KuHa 715-1, repainted and renumbered as KuHaNe 581-8

KuHa 715-1 is preserved at the Kyushu Railway History Museum in Kitakyushu, restored cosmetically to its original identity of KuHaNe 581-8.[3]

See also
  • 419 series, similar EMU used in the Hokuriku region of Japan

References
  1. JR全車輛ハンドブック'92 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 1992]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 1992.
  2. JR電車編成表 '98夏号 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 1998]. Japan: JRR. July 1998. ISBN 978-4-88283-029-0.
  3. Sasada, Masahiro (September 2012). 国鉄&JR保存車大全 [JNR & JR Preserved Rolling Stock Complete Guide]. Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. p. 45. ISBN 978-4863206175.
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