115 series

The 115 series (115系, 115-kei) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type developed by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and now operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), West Japan Railway Company (JR-West), and the Shinano Railway.[2]

115 series
A 6-car 115 series formation in Shonan livery on the Ryōmō Line in March 2016
In service	1963–present
Replaced	80 series
Constructed	1963–1983[1]
Entered service	March 1963
Refurbished	1998– (for selected 115 series trains)
Number built	1,921[1]
Number preserved	1 vehicle
Successor	211 series, 223 series, 227 series, E231-1000 series, 311 series, 313 series
Fleet numbers	A01 – A17, C13, C21, D01 – D31, G01 – G08, L01 – L22, L99, N01 – N21, O03 – O04, R01 – R05, T11 – T14, T1020, T1022, T1032, T1036 – T1041, T1043 – T1044, T1046, T1090 – T1091, T1133, T1142 – T1145, T1147, T1159
Operator(s)	■ JNR (1963–1987) ■ JR East (1987–Present) ■ JR Central (1987–2007) ■ JR-West (1987–Present) ■ Shinano Railway (1997–Present)
Depot(s)	Toyoda Nagano Niigata Fukuchiyama Okayama Hiroshima Shimonoseki Togura
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Doors	3 pairs per side 2 pairs per side (115-3000 series)
Maximum speed	110 km/h (70 mph)
Traction system	Resistor control
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead lines
Current collection method	Pantograph
Braking system(s)	Dynamic braking for retarder
Safety system(s)	ATS-S, ATS-P
Coupling system	Shibata
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Operations

JR East

Currently used on the Shinetsu Main Line, Yahiko Line, and the Echigo Line. 115 series trains were also previously used on the Shōnan-Shinjuku Line, Takasaki Line, and Utsunomiya Line, Chuo Main Line(East Line), Shinonoi Line, Oito Line, Agatsuma Line, Ryomo Line, Joetsu Line.

JR-West

Currently used on the Hakubi Line, Maizuru Line, Sagano Line, Sanin Main Line and the Sanyō Main Line

JR Central

Formerly used on the Minobu Line, Gotemba Line and the Tōkaidō Main Line. Sets owned by JR East currently operate on the JR Central Iida Line and Chūō Main Line (West Line).

Shinano Railway

Currently used on the Shinano Railway Line. Start of retirement in July 2020 with the debut of the new SR1 series on the 4th July 2020. [3]

Variants

115-0 series

This is a cold-weather and mountainous line version of the earlier 113 series. The first examples were introduced from 1963 on the Takasaki Line out of Ueno.

115-300 series

Air-conditioned version introduced from 1973.

115-1000 series

Introduced from 1978 with increased seat pitch and improved cold-weather performance.

115-2000 series

Hiroshima, Shimonoseki and Shizuoka area version introduced in 1978. Specifications based on 115-1000 series.

115-3000 series

Two-door version introduced from November 1982 to replace 153 series EMUs on "Rapid" services in the Shimonoseki area.

115-3500 series

Former 117 series MoHa 117 and MoHa 116 two-door cars converted from May 1992 for use in the Okayama and Hiroshima areas.

115-6000 series

JR-West 2-car sets converted in 1999 by building new cabs at one end of former MoHa (non-driving motor) cars.

Interior

• 
  Interior view

Livery variations

• 
  Shōnan livery
• 
  "Suka" livery in March 2004
• 
  Minobu Line livery in November 1983
• 
  Original Nagano livery
• 
  New Nagano livery in January 2008
• 
  Coca-Cola livery
• 
  First Niigata livery
• 
  Second Niigata livery
• 
  New Niigata livery
• 
  Yahiko Line livery
• 
  Setouchi livery
• 
  Hiroshima Rapid livery
• 
  Kansai refurbished livery (115-1600 series)
• 
  Hiroshima refurbished livery (115-3000 series)
• 
  Setouchi area livery (115-3000 series)
• 
  (Old) Fukuchiyama Line livery
• 
  New Fukuchiyama Line livery
• 
  Shinano Railway livery

Special liveries

In January 2017, Niigata-based set N3 was repainted into the original "Niigata Livery" of red and yellow formerly carried by JNR 70 series EMU trains.[4]

• 
  Set N3 in original "Niigata Livery" in August 2017

In April 2017, Shinano Railway three-car set S7 was repainted into the original Nagano livery of cream and green as part of the Shinshu area promotional campaign to be held from July to September 2017.[5]

In September 2017, Niigata-based set N37 was repainted in the first "Niigata area" livery.[6]

Preserved examples

Former JR East end car KuMoHa 115 1061 is scheduled to be displayed at the Niigata City Niitsu Railway Museum in Niitsu, Niigata between July and September 2017.[7]

References

1. 115系電車のプロフィール [Profile of the 115 series EMU]. The Railway Pictorial. 59 (820): 10–32. July 2009. ISSN 0040-4047.
2. Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
3. "【しなの鉄道】7/3に115系S6・S23編成引退へ SR1系導入で 115系解体お持ち帰り会も実施・入場券発売 | Japan-railway.com". japan-railway.com (in Japanese). 2020-06-26. Archived from the original on 2020-07-07. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
4. 115系N3編成が新潟車両センターへ [115 series set N3 moved to Niigata Depot]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 21 January 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
5. しなの鉄道　115系”初代長野色”運転開始 [Shinano Railway 115 series enters service in "original Nagano livery"]. Tetsudo Daiya Joho Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 46 no. 398. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. June 2017. p. 73.
6. 一次新潟色になった115系N37編成が新潟車両センターへ [115 series set N37 moved to Niigata Depot after repainting into first Niigata livery]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 23 September 2017. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
7. 新津鉄道資料館 新規実物車輌展示 [New rolling stock exhibits at Niigata City Niitsu Railway Museum]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 7 June 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.

External links

• JR East 115 series (in Japanese)