E259 series

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E259 series
A pair of E259 series sets on a Narita Express service in June 2021
In serviceOctober 2009–present
ManufacturerKinki Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation
Family nameN'EX
Replaced253 series (Narita Express), 255 series (Shiosai)
Constructed2009–2010
Number built132 vehicles (22 sets)
Number in service132 vehicles (22 sets)
Formation6 cars per trainset
Fleet numbersNe001–Ne022
Capacity290 (262 standard + 28 Green)
OperatorsJR East
DepotsKamakura[1]
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium alloy[2]
Car length21 m (68 ft 11 in) (end cars)
20 m (65 ft 7 in) (intermediate cars)[3]
Width2,946 mm (9 ft 8.0 in)
Height3,655 mm (11 ft 11.9 in)
Doors2 per side
Maximum speed130 km/h (81 mph)[1]
Traction systemHitachi SC90A 2-level IGBT–VVVF
Traction motors4 × 140 kW (190 hp) MT75B 3-phase AC induction motor
Acceleration0.56 m/s2 (1.3 mph/s)[3]
Deceleration1.4 m/s2 (3.1 mph/s)[3]
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC overhead lines
Current collector(s)PS33D single-arm pantographs
UIC classification2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′
BogiesDT77 (motored), TR262 (trailer)
Safety system(s)ATS-P, ATS-SN[3]
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Notes/references
This train won the 53rd Blue Ribbon Award in 2010.

The E259 series (E259系) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan since October 2009 on Narita Express limited express services to and from Narita International Airport.

Design

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The design of the trains was overseen by industrial designer Kenji Ekuan.[4] Retracting gangway connections on the end cars allow two sets to be coupled together to form 12-car formations. Electrical and safety equipment is duplicated, as on the E233 series commuter trains, to improve safety and reliability. Active suspension on end cars and yaw dampers between all cars provide improved ride comfort.[1] The MoHa E259-500 car is equipped with two single-arm pantographs, but one is reserved for emergency use.[5]

Unlike the previous 253 series trains, the E259 series trains are not equipped with Automatic Train Control (ATC).

Operations

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An E259 series set on a Marine Express Odoriko service in December 2012

The E259 series trains are used almost exclusively on Narita Express limited express services linking Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture with Tokyo and other stations in the Greater Tokyo area. E259 series trains were also used occasionally on seasonal Marine Express Odoriko services between Tokyo and Izukyū-Shimoda. One set, Ne002, was assigned to these services, and carried a logo sticker on the front and sides.[6]

Formation

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The fleet consists of 22 six-car sets, consisting of four motored (M) cars and two trailer (T) cars, as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end.[7][8]

Car No. 1/7 2/8 3/9 4/10 5/11 6/12
Designation Tc' M' M M' M Tsc
Numbering KuHa E258 MoHa E258 MoHa E259 MoHa E258-500 MoHa E259-500 KuRo E259
Weight (t) 38.4 38.0 36.5 38.0 37.0 38.9
Seating capacity 40 56 54 28

The "Tsc" cars are green (first class) cars. Cars 3 and 5 are equipped with PS33D single-arm pantographs (two on car 5, one on car 3).[8]

Bogies

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The DT77 (motored) and TR262 (trailer) bolsterless bogies are developed from the DT71 and TR255 bogies used on the E233 series EMUs.[9] The end bogies of the Tc driving cars are designated TR262, and the inner bogies of the Tc driving cars are designated TR262A.[9] All the bogies use tread brakes, and the trailer bogies additionally use disc brakes.[9] Wheel diameter is 860 mm (33.9 in), and the distance between wheel centers is 2,100 mm (6 ft 11 in).[9]

  • DT77 motor bogie
    DT77 motor bogie
  • T262A trailer bogie
    T262A trailer bogie

Interior accommodation

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The passenger compartment floor construction has been improved for reduced interior noise, and the height difference between the coach and the platform has been reduced by 50 mm (2.0 in) compared with the earlier 253 series trains for ease of access.[7] Luggage storage areas feature lockable straps for security, and security cameras are installed in vestibule and luggage areas.[2] Luggage space is also provided beneath the seats. Electric power outlets are provided at each seat.[1]

Four ceiling-mounted passenger information display units are provided in each car. These feature two 17-inch screens on each side, displaying information in four languages (Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese).[1]

Ordinary class

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Ordinary-class car interior
Ordinary-class seats

Ordinary-class cars have 2+2 abreast seating with forward-facing rotating/reclining seats. Seat pitch is 1,030 mm (41 in), compared to 980 mm (39 in) on earlier trains.[1]

Green class

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Green-class car interior

Green (first class) cars have leather-covered forward-facing rotating/reclining seats also arranged in 2+2 configuration. Seat pitch is 1,160 mm (46 in).[1]

History

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Sets Ne002 and Ne001 next to Jimmuji Station, Zushi, on delivery from Tokyu Car Corporation, April 2009

The first two sets, Ne001 and Ne002, were delivered to Kamakura Depot from Tokyu Car Corporation's Yokohama factory on 23 April 2009, with test running on the Sōbu Main Line commencing the same day.[10]

Nine E259 series sets entered revenue service on Narita Express services from 1 October 2009, with 10 out of 26 return workings daily operated by E259s.[11] By June 2010, they had completely replaced the 253 series EMUs formerly used on Narita Express services.[7]

In March 2023, JR East announced that it would introduce a new design to existing E259 series sets. The updated livery will retain the black and red color pallet but will feature silver accents at the front as well as the phrase "SERIES E259" being plastered along the exterior.[12] As of 17 March 2024, repainting for the entire E259 series fleet was completed with the last set, Ne022, having received the new livery.[13]

  • An E259 series set in updated livery in June 2023
    An E259 series set in updated livery in June 2023

In December 2023, JR East announced that some E259 series sets will be used on most Shiosai limited express services from the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2024, replacing the older 255 series EMUs used on these services.[14]

Build details

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The manufacturers and delivery dates for the fleet are as shown below.[15]

Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered
Ne001 Tokyu Car 23 April 2009
Ne002
Ne003 26 May 2009
Ne004
Ne005 2 July 2009
Ne006
Ne007 19 August 2009
Ne008
Ne009 17 September 2009
Ne010
Ne011 22 October 2009
Ne012
Ne013 18 March 2010
Ne014
Ne015 Kinki Sharyo 17 March 2010
Ne016 Tokyu Car 30 March 2010
Ne017 Kinki Sharyo 7 April 2010
Ne018 21 April 2010
Ne019 14 May 2010
Ne020 Tokyu Car 18 May 2010
Ne021
Ne022 Kinki Sharyo 9 June 2010

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g ""成田エクスプレス"用新形車両 E259系" [New E259 series "Narita Express" trains]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 49, no. 579. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2009. pp. 82–85.
  2. ^ a b "JR東日本「成田エクスプレス」用E259系" [JR East E259 series for "Narita Express"]. The Railway Pictorial. 59 (820): 116. July 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d "JR東日本E259系特急型直流電車：主要諸元表" [JR East E259 series limited express DC EMU: Main specifications chart]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō. 38 (304): 82. August 2009.
  4. ^ "The Works of GK Design Group". GK Design Group Inc. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  5. ^ "N'EX 253系からE259系" [N'EX – from 253 to E259 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 49, no. 580. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. August 2009. pp. 18–21.
  6. ^ "E259系Ne002編成が横須賀線で試運転" [E259 series set Ne002 test run on Yokosuka Line]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  7. ^ a b c "JR東日本 E259系特急型直流電車" [JR East E259 series limited express DC EMU]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō (in Japanese). 38 (303): 70–71. July 2009.
  8. ^ a b Kawabata, Akihito (September 2009). "E259系" [E259 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 49, no. 581. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 64–72.
  9. ^ a b c d "DT77 TR262 ／ JR東日本E259系" [DT77 TR262 / JR East E259 series]. Bogie Closeup (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 24 July 2009. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  10. ^ "【JR東】N'EX用新車・E259系落成" [[JR East] New car for N'EX, E259 series completed]. rail.hobidas.com. 24 April 2009. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  11. ^ "E259系「成田エクスプレス号」10月から10往復程度が運用開始" [10 E259 series "Narita Express" workings to commence from October]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō (in Japanese). 38 (305): 74. September 2009.
  12. ^ "JR東日本，E259系のデザインをリニューアル" [JR East announces a design renewal for the E259 Series]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 24 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  13. ^ "【これにて塗装変更完了】E259系クラNe022編成が塗装変更を終え大宮総合車両センター構内に出現" [[Paint change completed] E259 series set Ne022 has completed paint change and appeared at Omiya General Vehicle Center premises]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  14. ^ "2023【ダイヤ改正日】 2024年3月16日（土） – JR東日本" [2023 [Timetable revision date] Saturday, March 16, 2024 – JR East] (PDF). JR East. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  15. ^ "JR東日本 車両運用プロジェクト首都圏" [JR East Rolling Stock Usage Project (Tokyo Area)]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 50, no. 596. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. December 2010. p. 79.
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