E261 series

For the diesel multiple unit developed by JR Hokkaido, see KiHa 261 series.

The E261 series (Japanese: E261系, Hepburn: E261-kei) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan on Saphir Odoriko limited express services between Tokyo and Izukyū-Shimoda. It was designed to replace the older 251 series trains that were used on Super View Odoriko limited express services from April 28, 1990, until March 13, 2020.

E261 series
E261 series running on the Izu Kyūkō Line, September 2021
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Hitachi
Designer	Ken Okuyama Design
Built at	Hyogo (Kawasaki) Kudamatsu (Hitachi)
Family name	Saphir Odoriko
Replaced	251 series
Constructed	2019
Entered service	March 14, 2020
Number built	16 vehicles (2 sets)
Formation	8 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	RS1 – RS2
Capacity	164 seated
Operators	JR East
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminum
Car length	21.4 m (70 ft 3 in) (end cars) 20.5 m (67 ft 3 in) (intermediate cars)
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction system	SiC-MOSFET–VVVF (Hitachi)
Traction motors	4 × Hitachi 140 kW (190 hp) MT79 3-phase AC induction motor
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead lines
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

History

The trains are designed by Ken Okuyama Design, with exterior painted with sapphire blue to match with the blue sky of the Izu Peninsula. Two eight car sets were manufactured, by Kawasaki Heavy Industries' Hyogo factory (cars 1 to 3) and Hitachi's Kasado factory (cars 4 to 8).

Set RS1 operated a trial run on November 21, 2019, and the trains entered service on March 14, 2020, the day after the 251 series Super View Odoriko sets were retired.

Technical specifications

The car bodies are made of aluminum, and the trains use three phase motors and VVVF inverters. Each car has one door per side; cars 3, 5, and 7 are fitted with pantographs, with the one on car 5 being for emergency use.

Formation

The trains are formed as eight-car sets, with five motored and three trailer cars. Car 1 faces towards Izukyū-Shimoda and car 8 towards Tokyo.

Interior

Premium Green Car (Car 1)

Car 1 is designated as a "premium green car" with a 1+1 private seating layout. The fully power-reclining seats, made of leather and equipped with leg rest and luggage space under each seat, can be swiveled towards the window side for the view of Izu's seaside.

Green car private compartments (Cars 2 and 3)

Cars 2 to 3 are designated as "green cars" with private compartment seating for groups of 4 to 6 people and are priced higher than the "premium green car". Seats are arranged in transverse seating for the 4 person compartments and individual seatings for the 6 person compartments. All private compartments have the electrical power outlets.

Cafeteria (Car 4)

Car 4 is designated as the cafeteria, with an open-style kitchen, counter seats, and table seats.

Green car (Cars 5 to 8)

Cars 5 to 8 are designated as regular "green cars"; passenger accommodation consists of 2+1 seating throughout. Each seat is equipped with power outlets and can be reclined. Two single seats on car 5 are equipped with belts for wheelchairs.

Features

All cars, except cars 2 to 4, have a luggage area at the end sections and overhead, and restrooms are available in cars 2, 3, and 7, with multi-accessible toilet located at car 5. All seats except private compartments are equipped with personal reading lights, and all cars feature Wi-Fi connection.

• 
  Premium green car
• 
  Green car compartments
• 
  Cafeteria
• 
  Green car
• 
  Ramen noodles and onigiri served in the cafeteria

See also

• 251 series, the limited express EMU type used on Super View Odoriko services prior to the introduction of the E261 series
• Odoriko, the regular express service beside the limited express service

External links

• JR East press release (in Japanese)