E257 series

The E257 series (E257系, E257-kei) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated in Japan for limited express services by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and built jointly by Hitachi, Kinki Sharyo, and Tokyu Car Corporation.

E257 series
An E257-0 series train on a Chuo Line Azusa service in January 2008
In service	2001–present
Manufacturer	Hitachi, Kinki Sharyo, and Tokyu Car Corporation
Family name	A-train[citation needed]
Replaced	183/189 series (Azusa, Kaiji) 185-0 series (Odoriko) 651-1000 series (Kusatsu, Akagi)
Entered service	1 December 2001
Refurbished	2019–
Number built	249 vehicles (5 × 2-car, 19 × 5-car, 16 × 9-car)
Number in service	239 vehicles
Number scrapped	10 vehicles (5 sets)
Successor	E353 series (Azusa, Kaiji)
Formation	5/9 cars per trainset Formerly: 2 cars per trainset
Operators	JR East
Depots	Matsumoto, Makuhari, Omiya
Lines served	E257-0 (2001–2019): Chuo Main Line Oito Line Shinonoi Line Tokaido Main Line (until 2008) E257-500 (2004–): Keiyō Line Uchibo Line Sotobo Line Sobu Main Line Narita Line Kashima Line E257-2000/-2500 (2020–): Tokaido Main Line Ito Line Izu Kyuko Line E257-5500 (2023–): Takasaki Line
Specifications
Car length	21.000 m (68 ft 10.8 in) (end cars) 20.500 m (67 ft 3.1 in) (intermediate cars)
Doors	2 per side
Maximum speed	130 km/h (81 mph)
Traction system	IGBT–VVVF (Mitsubishi Electric)
Traction motors	3-phase AC squirrel-cage induction motors (Mitsubishi Electric)
Acceleration	0.56 m/s2 (1.3 mph/s)
Deceleration	1.4 m/s2 (3.1 mph/s)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
Braking system(s)	Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, snow-resistant brake
Safety system(s)	ATS-SN, ATS-P
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Notes/references
This train won the 45th Blue Ribbon Award in 2002.

Variants

• E257-0 series: Azusa, Kaiji
• E257-500 series: Sazanami, Wakashio, Shiosai, Ayame
• E257-2000/-2500 series: Odoriko, Shōnan
• E257-5000 series: additional services
• E257-5500 series: Akagi, Kusatsu/Shima

Four variants exist: the original E257-0 series for use on Chūō Main Line Azusa and Kaiji limited-express services until 16 March 2019 (displaced by E353 series EMUs), the E257-500 series for use on Chiba area limited express services (Uchibo Line Sazanami, Sotobo Line Wakashio, Sōbu Main Line Shiosai, and Narita and Kashima Lines Ayame),^[1] the E257-2000/-2500 used for Odoriko services modified from former E257-0 and -500 series trains, and the E257-5000/5500 from former E257-0 and -500 trains for use on additional and charter services.^{[citation needed]}

E257-0 series

This sub-series was introduced on 1 December 2001 to replace the aging 183 and 189 series rolling stock on Chuo Main Line Azusa and Kaiji services. Based at Matsumoto depot, the fleet consisted of sixteen 9-car sets (M101 to M116) with a full cab at the Matsumoto end and a gangwayed cab at the Tokyo end, and five 2-car "add-on" sets (M201 to M205) with a full cab at the Tokyo end and a shunting cab at the Matsumoto end.

The type was the recipient of the 45th Blue Ribbon Award (2002) of the Japan Railfan Club.

From 2018, the E257 series trains were replaced by E353 series EMUs on Chuo Main Line Azusa and Kaiji limited express services.^[2] From the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2019, E257 series trains were no longer used on regular Chuo Main Line limited express services. The trains were modified into E257-2000 series trainsets and redeployed on Tokaido Main Line Odoriko services from 14 March 2020. Several sets are still under refurbishment and three sets, which were reserved for use on charter and extra services, were modified into E257-5000s. As a result of these conversions, the five 2-car "add-on" sets were deemed surplus and therefore scrapped.^[3]

Operations

Former operations

• Chūō Main Line, Shinonoi Line, and Oito Line
  • Azusa: Chiba – Tokyo – Shinjuku – Matsumoto – Minamiotari
  • Kaiji: Tokyo – Shinjuku – Kōfu – Ryūō
  • Chūō Liner: Tokyo – Shinjuku – Hachiōji – Takao (now replaced by Ltd. Express Hachioji)
  • Ōme Liner: Tokyo – Shinjuku – Tachikawa – Ōme (now replaced by Ltd. Express Ōme)
  • Rapid service (no additional charge required): Matsumoto – Nagano

Matsumoto-based E257 series trains were also used on the Ohayo Liner Shinjuku and Home Liner Odawara commuter services running on the Tokaido Main Line until 14 March 2008.

Formations

The nine-car sets (M101 to M116) were formed as follows.^[4]

Car No.	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Designation	Tc	M	M'	M	T	Ts	M	M'	Tc'
Numbering	KuHa E257-100	MoHa E257	MoHa E256	MoHa E257-1000	SaHa E257	SaRoHa E257	MoHa E257-100	MoHa E256-100	KuHa E256

• Cars 4, 6, and 9 were each fitted with one PS37 single-arm pantograph.

The two-car sets (M201 to M205) were formed as follows.^[4]

Car No.	1	2
Designation	Tc	Mc
Numbering	KuHa E257	KuMoHa E257

• Car 2 was fitted with one PS37 single-arm pantograph.

• 
  A 9-car set on a Kaiji service, with a gangwayed KuHa E257-100 car leading
• 
  The gangway connection between a KuMoHa E257 car (left) and KuHa E257 car (right)

Interior

• 
  Standard class seating (2+2)
• 
  Green class seating (2+2)
• 
  Mini-lounge area in car 9, previously a smoking area (until March 2007)

E257-500 series

E257-500 series set NB-18

The E257-500 sub-series version was delivered between July 2004 and October 2005, with the first sets entering service from 16 October 2004 on Uchibo Line Sazanami and Sotobo Line Wakashio limited-express services, replacing older 183 series rolling stock.^[5] Based at Makuhari depot in Chiba Prefecture, the fleet consists of 19 five-car sets (NB01 to NB19).^[4] Unlike the Chūō Line variant, these sets have gangways at both ends.

Due to the reduction of the Chiba area limited express services, several trains are being used for the Chuo and Fujikyuko Line Fuji Excursion services and other charter and extra services. In addition to these, 4 sets were planned for conversion into E257-2500 to be used on Tōkaidō Main Line Odoriko limited express services, with further 5 sets to be converted to E257-5500 for use on additional services.^[6]

Formation

The five-car E257-500 series sets (NB01 to NB19) are formed as follows.^[4]

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5
Designation	Tc'	M	M'	M	Tc
Numbering	KuHa E256-500	MoHa E257-1500	MoHa E256-500	MoHa E257-500	KuHa E257-500

Cars 2 and 4 are each fitted with one PS37 single-arm pantograph.

• 
  KuHa E256-500
• 
  MoHa E257-1500
• 
  MoHa E256-500
• 
  MoHa E257-500
• 
  KuHa E257-500

Services operated

• Uchibo Line
  • Sazanami: Tokyo – Tateyama
• Sotobo Line
  • Wakashio: Tokyo – Katsuura – Awa-Kamogawa
• Sobu Main Line
  • Shiosai: (Shinjuku) – Tokyo – Chōshi
  • Ayame (discontinued): Tokyo – Narita – Chōshi
• Yokosuka Line
  • Ohayo Liner Zushi (discontinued): Zushi – Tokyo
  • Home Liner Zushi (discontinued): Tokyo – Zushi

Interior

The E257-500 series sets are mono-class, with standard-class accommodation only.

• 
  E257-500 series standard-class seating in August 2011

E257-2000/2500 series

E257-2000 series set NA-05

Gangwayed end of E257-2000 series set NA-05

E257-2500 series set NC-34

The E257-2000 and -2500 series are refurbished versions of the E257-0 and -500 series respectively.^[7] The fleet consists of thirteen 9-car E257-2000 sets and four 5-car E257-2500 sets intended for Odoriko limited express services on the Tōkaidō Main Line.^[6]

The refurbishment was largely based on the "Peninsula Blue" concept, which is inspired by the colours of the sky and sea of the Izu Peninsula. Internally, the sets received several improvements, including toilets, increased luggage capacity, improved lighting, and new flooring.^[7]

The first E257-2000 set, converted from E257-0 set M112 at Nagano General Rolling Stock Centre, was delivered to Omiya in March 2019.^[8] On 14 March 2020, two round-trips of the formerly 185 series-operated Odoriko services were replaced by E257-2000s.^[9] Since 13 March 2021, these sets have been used across all Odoriko services, excluding the Saphir Odoriko. On 15 March of that year, the E257-2000/2500 series sets were introduced on the Shōnan limited express.^[10]

• 
  Standard-class interior
• 
  Green car interior

E257-5000/5500 series

E257-5000 series set OM-92

Gangwayed end of an E257-5000 series set

E257-5500 series set OM-51

Three E257-0 series sets and five -500 series sets were refurbished and designated as E257-5000 and -5500 series respectively for use on additional and charter services. The refurbishments saw a new front head, which is similar to the -2000/2500 series, and new green-accented livery. Interiors were much retained, with more luggage space and updated curtains. The first E257-5000 set, OM-91 (former M-105), first appeared in May 2021 and entered service on 12 August 2021.^{[11][better source needed]}

In December 2022, JR East announced that E257-5500 series sets would be used on Kusatsu Shima and Akagi limited express services on the Takasaki Line.^[12][13] They made their first trips on these services at the start of JR East's 18 March 2023 timetable revision, replacing 651-1000 series 7-car sets.^[14]