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

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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

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

4-car Kinosaki/Kounotori/Hashidate sets

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  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.
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