273 series

273 series
Set Y2 in April 2024
In service2024–present
Manufacturer
Replaced381 series
Constructed2023–2024
Entered service6 April 2024
Number built44 vehicles (11 sets)
Formation4 cars per trainset
Fleet numbersY1–Y11
OperatorsLogo of the West Railway Company (JR West) JR West
Lines served
Specifications
Traction systemVariable frequency
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC (overhead catenary)
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 273 series (273系) is a Japanese train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) on Yakumo limited express services on the Sanyo Main Line, Hakubi Line and Sanin Main Line. Announced on 16 February 2022, it is intended to replace the 381 series.

Design

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Cars are painted in a bronze livery. The trains also feature a pendular[1] tilting system which will be an improvement over the current 381 series trainsets. The tilting system is jointly developed by JR West, the Railway Technical Research Institute, and Kawasaki.[2]

Each train set consists of four cars.[3] Green (first class) cars feature transverse seating in a 1+2 configuration. Ordinary class cars also feature transverse seating except in a 2+2 configuration.[3] In addition to the regular seating arrangement, there is a section reserved for tables.[4]

The 273 series was listed in the Good Design Award's "Best 100" listing for 2024.[5]

  • Standard class
    Standard class
  • Compartment seating
    Compartment seating
  • Green car
    Green car
  • Free space
    Free space

History

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A JR Shikoku 8600 series train on test on the Hakubi Line, 2017

Plans existed as early as 2017 to introduce new rolling stock on Yakumo services to better compete with rival highway bus services.[6]: 6  In July and September 2017, JR West leased two 8600 series EMUs from JR Shikoku to test the feasibility of pneumatic tilting on the Hakubi Line.[7][8] However, the pneumatic tilting system proved unsuitable for the line, and it was decided that the new rolling stock would use a pendular tilting system instead.[6]

On 30 October 2020, as part of its 2022 mid-term management plan, JR West formally announced its plans to introduce new rolling stock for the Yakumo.[9] Details of the new trains, revealed to be classified as 273 series, were announced by JR West on 16 February 2022.[10] Kinki Sharyo announced it would be responsible for manufacturing the trainsets on 7 March 2022.[11]

Set Y2 on test in December 2023

The first set, Y1, was unveiled on 17 October 2023,[12] with test-running commencing alongside set Y2 from 25 October 2023.[13] Sets Y3 and Y4 were assigned to test-running on 17 January 2024.[14] Sets Y5 and Y6 were also spotted test-running on 28 February that same year.[15] Y7 and Y8 were spotted testing on 4 April 2024.[16]

The fleet was introduced into revenue service from 6 April 2024.[17]

Set Y9 was delivered in late-April 2024,[18] followed by sets Y10 and Y11, the final set, in May 2024.[19][20]

References

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  1. ^ JR西日本，273系“やくも”の運転を4月6日から順次開始 [JR West to introduce new 273 series "Yakumo" trains from 6 April]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha. 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  2. ^ "特急「やくも」新型車両273系の内外装デザイン決定 フラットシートも設置" [Limited Express "Yakumo" New Model 273 Series Interior and Exterior Design Determined with Flat Seats]. News Railway Pressnet (in Japanese). 20 October 2022. Archived from the original on 20 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b "JR西日本，特急"やくも"に導入する273系のデザインを決定" [JR West decides the design of the 273 series to be introduced on the limited express "Yakumo"]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 20 October 2022. Archived from the original on 20 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  4. ^ "JR西日本、新型車両273系の車体に「やくもブロンズ」デザイン公開" [JR West unveils "Yakumo Bronze" design for new train 273 series]. MyNavi News (in Japanese). 20 October 2022. Archived from the original on 20 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  5. ^ JR西日本273系「やくも」取組みがグッドデザイン賞「ベスト100」に [JR West 273 series "Yakumo" listed in Good Design Award's "Best 100"]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 16 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b カーブ克服して速度アップ｢振り子式車両｣の進化 [The evolution of tilting trains – overcoming curves, increasing speed]. Toyo Keizai Online (in Japanese). 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  7. ^ JR四国8600系が伯備線で試運転 [JR Shikoku 8600 series commissioned on the Hakubi Line]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 14 July 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  8. ^ JR四国8600系が再び伯備線で走行試験 [JR Shikoku 8600 series commissioned on the Hakubi Line again]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  9. ^ 「ＪＲ西日本グループ中期経営計画2022」見直し [Review of JR West's 2022 mid-term management plan] (PDF). West Japan Railway Company. 30 October 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  10. ^ "JR西日本，特急"やくも"に273系を導入へ" [JR West to introduce 273 series to limited express "Yakumo"]. Japan Railway Fan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 16 February 2022. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  11. ^ "西日本旅客鉄道株式会社殿向け「やくも」を受注いたしました。" [We have received an order for "Yakumo" for West Japan Railway Company/]. Kinki Sharyo (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  12. ^ "JR西日本「やくも」新型車両273系「豊かな車内の過ごし方」実現へ". news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. 21 October 2023. Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  13. ^ 273系Y1編成・Y2編成が近畿車輛から出場 [273 series sets Y1 and Y2 undergoing testing by Kinki Sharyo]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha. 25 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  14. ^ "273系Y3編成・Y4編成が登場" [Test Running for 273 Series sets Y3 and Y4]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 17 January 2024. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  15. ^ "増備進む273系　Y5・Y6編成が出場し、試運転を実施". RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 1 March 2024. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  16. ^ "273系Y7編成・Y8編成が登場" [Appearance of 273 Series sets Y7 and Y8.]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  17. ^ 273系「やくも」が運転を開始 [273 series "Yakumo" enters revenue service]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. 9 April 2024. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  18. ^ "273系Y9編成が登場" [273 series set Y9 delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  19. ^ "273系Y10編成が登場" [273 series set Y10 delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  20. ^ "273系Y11編成が登場" [273 series set Y11 delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
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