The 227 series (227系, 227-kei) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) for use on suburban services in the Kansai and Chūgoku regions of Japan since 14 March 2015.
On 14 March 2015, the 227-0 series trains, branded "Red Wing", commenced operation in the Hiroshima area. They are the first new train to be introduced to the Hiroshima area in 32 years.
From 16 March 2019, the 227-1000 series began operating in the Kansai region on the Wakayama Line, Sakurai Line, and Kisei Main Line (Kinokuni Line), marking their introduction outside the Hiroshima area.
Starting on 22 July 2023, 227-500 series trains, branded "Urara", were introduced in the greater Okayama and Fukuyama (Okayama/Bingo) areas.
Design
Trains have unpainted stainless steel bodies. Each motored car has one motored bogie. The first batch of trains, branded "Red Wing", have logos applied on the sides of the body and on the prominent anti-fall plates on the front ends, which inspired the name.
Passenger saloons use LED lighting, and the trains are equipped with universal access toilets and wheelchair spaces. They are also equipped with LED passenger information displays.
The 227 series design is based on the earlier 225 series, also with lightweight stainless steel bodies.
Variants
- 227-0 series: 2- and 3-car sets for use on the Sanyō Main Line, Kabe Line, and Kure Line services, branded Red Wing
- 227-1000 series: 2-car sets for use on Wakayama Line services
- 227-500 series: 2- and 3-car sets for use on the Sanyō Main Line, Hakubi Line, Uno Line, and Honshi–Bisan Line services, branded Urara
227-0 series
The 227-0 series fleet consists of 276 vehicles (42 two-car sets and 64 three-car sets), which were delivered from autumn 2014 for test running and driver training before entering revenue service initially on the Sanyo Main Line between Shiraichi and Iwakuni, replacing ageing JNR-era 115 series EMUs. The trains were also intended to displace 115 series EMUs on the Kure Line and Kabe Line. The entire fleet was delivered by February 2019.
On 6 March 2015, JR West announced that the 227 series trains will have the official nickname "Red Wing".
The fleet entered revenue service from 14 March 2015. They were the first new trains to operate in the Hiroshima area since the 113-3000 series, which was introduced near the end of JNR; trains introduced since the 113-3000 series were inherited from the Kansai area.: 21 The last sets of this sub-series delivered were 2-car sets S41 and S42 in February 2019.
In January 2022, it was announced that the 227-0 series would undergo a trial for platform-side cameras. The cameras would be activated on the right side of the train relative to the direction of driving.
Set A65 was formed in 2022 by combining two cars (KuMoHa 226-11 and MoHa 226-11) from three-car set A11 and one car (KuMoHa 227-33) from three-car set A33.
Formations
The 227 series fleet consists of 42 two-car and 64 three-car sets, allowing formations of up to eight cars to be formed in service.
3-car sets
The three-car sets are numbered A01 onward, and are formed as shown below with all three cars motored (one motored bogie per car).
- The seating capacity figures above include 12 flip-down seats in the end cars and 16 in the intermediate cars.
- The KuMoHa 227 car is fitted with a WPS28E single-arm pantograph.
- The KuMoHa 226 car has a universal access toilet.
2-car sets
The two-car sets are numbered S01 onward, and are formed as shown below with both cars motored (one motored bogie per car).
- The seating capacity figures above include 12 flip-down seats in each car.
- The KuMoHa 227 car is fitted with a WPS28E single-arm pantograph.
- The KuMoHa 226 car has a universal access toilet.
Interior
Passenger accommodation consists of transverse seating with flip-over seat backs, and longitudinal bench seating at the ends of cars. Flip-down seats are also provided next to the doorways.
Fleet details
3-car sets
2-car sets
227-1000 series
In March 2018, JR West announced plans to introduce a new version of 227 series trains to Sakurai and Wakayama Lines, as well as part of Kisei Main Line, from Spring 2019. The planned 56-car fleet (28 sets of 2-car units) was completed by the end of September 2019, and would displace all 105 series and 117 series trains on the two lines by Spring 2020. Once the order is complete, the trains would have smart card readers on board, expanding ICOCA acceptance to all JR West service in Nara prefecture and on Wakayama Line.
The fleet entered service from 16 March 2019.
Formation
The sets are formed as follows.
- The seating capacity figures above include longitudinal seats in each car.
- The KuMoHa 227 car is fitted with a WPS28E single-arm pantograph.
- The SD sets are equipped with a second de-icing pantograph.
- The KuMoHa 226 car has a universal access toilet.
Interior
Passenger accommodation consists of longitudinal bench seating throughout. As the 227-1000 series trains are equipped for wanman (ワンマン, "one man") operation, doorways are equipped with ticket machines.
Fleet details
227-500 series
The 227-500 series consists of 13 two-car sets and 25 three-car sets (101 cars in total), and were first announced by JR West in May 2022 for use on rail lines serving Okayama and Bingo, such as the San'yō Line. Designated as 227-500 series, the first three sets were delivered from Kinki Sharyo in February 2023. By September 2024, the entire fleet was delivered. The series was given the brand name Urara (うらら) owing to a naming contest run by JR West. The sets carry a pink livery, which is associated with cherry blossoms as well as the softer climate experienced along the lines in which these trainsets will be running.
The first of these sets entered revenue service on 22 July 2023 on the San'yō Line and the Hakubi Line. As of 20 January 2024, this subseries operates on the San'yō Line (Himeji - Mihara), the Hakubi Line (Okayama - Niimi), the Uno Line and the Honshi–Bisan Line (Chayamachi - Kojima).
Exterior
Interior
Fleet details
3-car sets
2-car sets
Notes
References
Further reading
- 「JRシティネットワーク広島」のブランディング ["JR City Network Hiroshima" branding overview]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). 56 (660). Japan: Koyusha: 96–99. April 2016.
- 227系1000番台 [227-1000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). 58 (692). Japan: Koyusha: 58–61. December 2018.
External links
- JR-West press release (19 June 2014) (in Japanese)
- JR West press release (Okayama sets) (in Japanese)
