The 287 series (287系, 287-kei) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) in Japan on limited express services such as the Kinosaki and Kounotori from Kyoto and Osaka since 12 March 2011.[3][4] 287 series EMUs were introduced on Kuroshio services from the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012.[5][6]

287 series
4-car set FA04 on a Kounotori service, March 2011
ManufacturerKawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo
Replaced183 series, 381 series
Constructed2010–2012
Entered service12 March 2011
Number built97 vehicles (24 sets)
Formation3/4/6 cars per trainset
Fleet numbersFA01 – FA07, FC01 – FC06, HC601 – HC606, HC631 – HC635
OperatorsJR West
DepotsFukuchiyama, Hineno
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium, double-skin
Car length21,100 mm (69 ft 3 in)
Width2,915 mm (9 ft 6.8 in)
Height3,490 mm (11 ft 5 in)
Floor height1,125 mm (3 ft 8.3 in)
DoorsOne per side
Maximum speed130 km/h (80 mph)[1]
Traction systemVariable frequency (2-level IGBT)
Traction motorsWMT106A-G1[2]: 62 
Power output270 kW (360 hp) × 2 per motored car
Acceleration1.6 km/(h⋅s) (1.0 mph/s)
Deceleration
  • 4.6 km/(h⋅s) (2.9 mph/s) (service)
  • 5.2 km/(h⋅s) (3.2 mph/s) (emergency)
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Current collector(s)WPS28C single-arm pantograph
Bogies
  • WDT67 (motored)
  • WTR249, WTR249A (trailer)
Braking system(s)Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, snow-resistant brake
Safety system(s)ATS-SW2, ATS-P3
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

A total of 97 vehicles were built. These consist of 46 vehicles for Kinosaki, Kounotori, Maizuru, and Hashidate services, formed as seven 4-car sets and six 3-car sets, which will partially replace the ageing fleet of 86 183 series vehicles currently used on these services.[7] A further batch of 51 vehicles for Kuroshio services consists of six 6-car sets and five 3-car sets, replacing older 381 series EMUs. These entered service from the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012.[5][6]

Design edit

The trains are based on the earlier 683 series Thunderbird design with increased front-end crash protection and the inclusion of crushable zones for the first time on JR-West limited express rolling stock.[7] Livery is similar to that used on 683 series Thunderbird sets, with a maroon stripe below the dark grey window band for the Kinosaki and Kōnotori trains,[8] and "ocean green" for the Kuroshio trains.[5][6]

Formations edit

The various formations are configured as follows.[2][9]

4-car Kinosaki/Kounotori/Hashidate sets edit

Sets FA01–07, based at Fukuchiyama Depot

Car No. 1 2 3 4
Designation M'sc M1 M' Mc
Numbering KuMoRoHa 286 MoHa 287-100 MoHa 286 KuMoHa 287
Capacity 38 (15 Grn + 23 std) 50 68 64
Weight (t) 41.9 40.7 38.6 40.5

The KuMoHa 287 and MoHa 287 cars are each fitted with two WPS28C single-arm pantographs. However, only one on each car is normally raised in regular service, with the second pantograph serving as a de-icing pantograph.

3-car Kinosaki/Kounotori/Maizuru/Hashidate sets edit

Sets FC01–06, based at Fukuchiyama Depot

Car No. 5 6 7
Designation M'c M'1 Mc
Numbering KuMoHa 286 MoHa 286-100 KuMoHa 287
Capacity 56 58 64
Weight (t) 41.4 39.0 40.5

The KuMoHa 287 car is fitted with two WPS28C single-arm pantographs. However, only one is normally raised in regular service, with the second pantograph serving as a de-icing pantograph.

6-car Kuroshio/Mahoroba sets edit

 
A side view of car KuMoHa 287-20 of six-car set HC605 in April 2012

Sets HC601–606, based at Hineno Depot

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Designation M'sc M' M2 M'2 M' Mc
Numbering KuMoRoHa 286 MoHa 286 MoHa 287-200 MoHa 286-200 MoHa 286 KuMoHa 287
Capacity 38 (15 Grn + 23 std) 68 72 50 68 64
Weight (t) 41.9 38.6 37.9 39.8 38.6 40.0

The KuMoHa 287 and MoHa 287 cars are each fitted with one WPS28C single-arm pantograph.

3-car Kuroshio/Mahoroba sets edit

Sets HC631–635, based at Hineno Depot

Car No. 7 8 9
Designation M'c M'1 Mc
Numbering KuMoHa 286 MoHa 286-100 KuMoHa 287
Capacity 56 58 64
Weight (t) 41.4 39.0 40.5

The KuMoHa 287 car is fitted with one WPS28C single-arm pantograph.

Interior edit

Internally, Green car (first class) accommodation is in 2+1 abreast configuration, and standard class is 2+2.[8] All Green car seats have AC power outlets, and standard-class saloons have AC power outlets at either end of each car. The trains include universal access toilets and also women-only toilets.[3]

History edit

The first 3- and 4-car sets destined for Kinosaki and Kounotori services were unveiled to the media at Kinki Sharyo's factory in Higashiōsaka, Osaka, on 26 November 2010,[10] and delivered to JR-West on 29 November.[11]

The first 6-car set destined for Kuroshio services was unveiled to the media at Kinki Sharyo's factory on 4 August 2011.[12] Test running commenced from 29 September 2011.[13] The first set manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Hyogo Prefecture, a 6-car Kuroshio set, was delivered in February 2012.[14]

 
287 series on the first Mahoroba service, November 2019

In August 2019, JR-West announced that Hineno-based 287 series 3-car sets would be introduced on irregular Mahoroba limited express services between Shin-Osaka and Nara stations.[15] The first round of these trips occurred between 2 November and 8 December 2019, with a second round having been set to occur between 21 March and June 2020.[16] A third round of trips commenced on 25 March 2023, and was set to cease on 23 April of that year, before a fourth round is scheduled to occur between 27 May and 11 June 2023.[17]

On 15 December 2023, JR-West announced that the Rakuraku Yamato commuter limited express service that runs only on Weekdays between Shin-Osaka and Nara stations, would be introduced, starting from the March 2024 timetable revision.[18] On 30 January 2024, JR West announced that 287 series 3-car sets would be used on these services.[19]

References edit

  1. ^ 新型の特急車両を公開 JR西 [JR-West shows off new limited express trains]. The Kobe Shimbun (in Japanese). 26 November 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  2. ^ a b Nabetani, Takeshi (February 2011). "JR西日本287系特急形直流電車" [JR-West 287 series limited express DC EMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine. 51 (598): 58–62.
  3. ^ a b 特急「きのさき」「北近畿」などへの新型特急形電車の投入について [Introduction of new limited express EMUs on "Kinosaki" and "Kitakinki" services] (Press release) (in Japanese). West Japan Railway Company. 2 October 2009. Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  4. ^ "JR西日本 287系デビュー時に特急「北近畿」を「こうのとり」に改呼" [JR-West to rename "Kitakinki" as "Kounotori" with debut of 287 series]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. 39 (320): 73. December 2010.
  5. ^ a b c 平成24年春ダイヤ改正について [Spring 2012 Timetable Revision] (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company Wakayama Branch. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  6. ^ a b c 特急〈くろしお〉に287系投入 [287 series to be introduced on "Kuroshio" limited express]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 17 November 2010. Archived from the original on 17 December 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  7. ^ a b 新型特急新型電車287系導入へ [New 287 series limited express EMUs to be introduced]. Kyoto Shimbun (in Japanese). 2 October 2009. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2009.
  8. ^ a b 特急「きのさき」「北近畿」などへの新型特急形電車のデザインについて [Design details of new limited express trains for "Kinosaki" and "Kitakinki"] (Press release) (in Japanese). West Japan Railway Company. 5 April 2010. Archived from the original on 13 May 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  9. ^ JR電車編成表 2013冬 [JR EMU Formations – Winter 2013]. Japan: JRR. November 2012. p. 155/188. ISBN 978-4-330-33112-6.
  10. ^ "JR西日本287系が報道公開される" [JR-West 287 series shown off to media]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 27 November 2010. Archived from the original on 28 November 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  11. ^ 287系が試運転を実施 [287 series undergoes test running]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  12. ^ 「海の緑」のラインが映える…特急くろしお新型車両公開 [New Kuroshio train unveiled – with seagreen line]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Japanese. 4 August 2011. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  13. ^ 〈くろしお〉用287系本格的試運転始まる [Kuroshio 287 series test running starts]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 1 October 2011. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  14. ^ "くろしお"用287系が川崎重工を出場 [Kuroshio 287 series delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  15. ^ JR西日本,新大阪—奈良間に臨時ノンストップ特急“まほろば”号運転 [JR West announces new "Mahoroba" limited express between Shin-Osaka and Nara]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  16. ^ 287系による特急“まほろば”運転 [287 series operation on "Mahoroba" limited express services]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  17. ^ 臨時特急“まほろば”の運転開始 [Temporary "Mahoroba" limited express resumes]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  18. ^ MN Railway News Editorial Department (15 December 2023). "JR西日本「らくラクやまと」新設、平日朝夕に奈良~新大阪間で運転" [JR West "Raku Raku Yamato" newly established, operating between Nara and Shin-Osaka on weekday mornings and evenings]. news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). Japan. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  19. ^ "より便利になる通勤特急を「らくラク~」シリーズに統一します" [Unification of the more convenient commuter express trains into the "Rakuraku" series.] (PDF). West Japan Railway Company (in Japanese). Japan. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.

External links edit