381 series

The 381 series (381系, 381-kei) is a tilting DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type introduced in 1973 by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and currently operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West), and formerly also operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) in Japan.[1]

381 series
A 381 series on a Mahoroba service in May 2010
Manufacturer	Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo
Replaced	183 series
Constructed	1973–1982
Entered service	1973
Refurbished	1997–2011 (JR West)
Number built	277 vehicles
Number in service	136 vehicles (as of 1 April 2015)
Number preserved	2 vehicles
Number scrapped	140 vehicles
Formation	3/4/6/7/9 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	JNR (1973–1987) JR Central (1987–2008) JR West (1987–Present, scheduled to end operation in 2023)
Depot(s)	Hineno, Goto, Fukuchiyama
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminium alloy
Car length	21,300 mm (69 ft 11 in)
Width	2,920 mm (9 ft 7 in)
Height	3,383 mm (11 ft 1.2 in)
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction system	Resistor control
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead lines
Current collection method	Pantograph
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Fleet

As of 1 April 2015, 136 vehicles were operated by JR-West.[2]

Operations

JR Central

• Shinano (1973–May 2008)

JR-West

• Kuroshio (from October 1978 until 30 October 2015[3])
• Yakumo (from July 1982 to 2023)
• Kounotori (until 31 May 2011,[4] from 1 June 2012[5] until 30 October 2015[6])
• Kinosaki (from 1 June 2012[5] until 30 October 2015[6])
• Hashidate (from 16 March 2013 until 30 October 2015[6])
• Hanwa Liner rapid service (until March 2011)
• Yamatoji Liner rapid service (until March 2011)

Livery variations

• 
  JNR Livery (JR Central Shinano set), July 2006
• 
  JR-West Kuroshio refurbished set
• 
  381 series Super Kuroshio set, 1992
• 
  381 series Super Kuroshio KuRo 380 refurbished car
• 
  JR-West Yakumo set, July 2007
• 
  JR-West set in Super Yakumo livery, September 2007
• 
  JR-West set in Yuttari Yakumo livery, December 2009

History

The 381 series EMU was developed from the experimental 591 series 3-car articulated tilting EMU tested from 1970.[7]

The 381 series entered revenue service from 10 July 1973 on the Shinano limited express between Nagoya and Nagano.[7]

JR-West 381 series trains were removed from Kuroshio, Kounotori, Kinosaki, and Hashidate limited express services in October 2015, with the last services operating on 30 October.[6]

Preserved examples

• KuHa 381-1: (built 1973 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya.[8]
• KuRo 381-11: (built 1974 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) formerly at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya,[8] removed in June 2019.[9]
• KuRo 381-1104: (built 1978 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) Suita Depot, Osaka.

• 
  Preserved KuHa 381-1 at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, April 2011
• 
  KuRo 381 at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, March 2016
• 
  KuRo 381-1104 in May 2019

References

1. Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
2. JR電車編成表 2015夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2015] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 20 May 2015. p. 406. ISBN 978-4-330-56915-4.
3. くろしお３８１系引退へ…パンダシートも見納め [Kuroshio 381 series to be withdrawn - Also end of panda seats]. Yomiuri Online (in Japanese). Japan: The Yomiuri Shimbun. 29 October 2015. Archived from the original on 24 October 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
4. "新型車両（287 系）追加投入の詳細" [Details of further introduction of new (287 series) trains] (PDF). JR-West news release (in Japanese). West Japan Railway Company. 28 April 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
5. "JR西日本　381系福知山車ＦＥ編成が営業運転開始" [JR-West: Fukichiyama-based 381 series FE sets enter service]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. 41 (340): 75. August 2012.
6. 381系が関西地区の定期運用から離脱 [381 series removed from scheduled Kansai area services]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
7. プロトタイプの世界 - Prototype World. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbunsha. December 2005. pp. 12–19. OCLC 170056962.
8. "「リニア・鉄道館」ファーストガイド" ["SCMaglev and Railway Park" First Guide]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. 40 (324): 20–33. April 2011.
9. リニア・鉄道館 N700系車両の展示について [N700 series shinkansen exhibit at SCMaglev and Railway Park] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Central Japan Railway Company. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.