E231 series

Infobox EMU
name = E231 series

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imagesize = 240px
caption = E231 series suburban type train
InService = 2000 - Present
Manufacturer = JR East, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Tokyu Car Corporation
Family =
Built =
Refurbishment =
Formation = 5/10/11 cars per trainset
Operator = JR East, JR Central
Depots =
LinesServed =
CarBody = Stainless steel
CarLength = 20,000 mm
CarWidth = 2,950 mm
CarHeight =
MaxSpeed = 120 km/h
Weight =
Capacity =
Acceleration = 2.5 km/h/s, 3.0 km/h/s or 3.3 km/h/s
Deceleration = 4.0 km/h/s (4.5 km/h/s for emergency brake)
Traction =
Power =
Gauge = 1,067 mm
Voltage = 1,500 V DC overhead
Brakes =
SafetySystem = ATS-P, ATS-SN

The E231 series is currently the standard EMU used for commuter and outer-suburban services operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and manufactured by Tokyu Car Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and also at JR East's factory at Niitsu, Niigata Prefecture.

The type evolved from the earlier 209 series and E217 series EMU with the main visible difference being wider bodies (2,950 mm compared to the 2,800 mm for regular commuter trains), and the prototype trains built in 1998 for trials on the JR Chūō-Sōbu Line were actually classified 209-950 series, later becoming the E231-900 series. Full-production E231-0 series trains were subsequently introduced on the Chūō-Sōbu Line (10-car sets) and Jōban Line (10+5-car sets). Other variants include the 11-car E231-500 series for the Yamanote Line, and the E231-800 series with 2,800 mm wide bodies and end doors for use on Tōzai Subway interrunning services.

Variants and successive models

From 2000 onward, the first E231-1000 series outer-suburban variant was delivered for use on Utsunomiya Line and Takasaki Line services north from Ueno Station in Tokyo. These trains included transverse seating in some cars and were also equipped with toilets. Production continued into 2006 with trains delivered for use on the Tōkaidō Main Line south from Tokyo. From 2004 onward, two bilevel Green cars were inserted into all E231-1000 series 10-car sets.

A dual-voltage (1,500 V DC & 20 kV AC) development in the form of the E531 series design was introduced in 2005 for use on Jōban Line outer-suburban services, replacing aging 403 and 415 series EMUs.

Lines with E231 series service

Commuter type

*JR East
**Chūō-Sōbu Line (Local)
**Jōban Line (Ueno - Narita, Toride)
**Yamanote Line (E231-500 series)
*Tokyo Metro
**Tōzai Line (E231-800 series)

Outer-suburban type

*JR East
**Ito Line
**Jōetsu Line, Ryōmō Line (Takasaki - Maebashi)
**Shōnan Shinjuku Line
**Takasaki Line
**Tōkaidō Main Line
**Utsunomiya Line
**Yokosuka Line (Zushi - Ōfuna)
*JR Central
**Gotemba Line (Kōzu - Yamakita)
**Tōkaidō Main Line (Atami - Numazu)

See also

* 209 series
* E217 series
* E233 series
* E531 series

References

* 2006 JR Rolling Stock Handbook - Neko Publishing
* JR EMU Formations (Winter 2007) - JRR Publishing

External links

* [http://www.jreast.co.jp/train/local/e231.html JR E231 series] ja icon
* [http://www.khi.co.jp/sharyo/pro_final/pro_E231.html Kawasaki Heavy Industries product information] ja icon
* [http://www.tokyu-car.co.jp/rw/ejr231.html Tokyu Car product information] ja icon