121 series are electric multiple unit (EMU) train developed in 1987 by
Japanese National Railways (JNR) for the start of rural services of the
newly electrified Yosan line between Takamatsu and Kanonji, and the Dosan
line between Tadotsu and Kotohira. The 121 series was designed with one
motored car per two cars in order to make short formations.
The vehicle design incorporates light-weight stain-less steel construction. They are equipped with 3 semi-automatic doors on each side of the vehicles. All vehicles are equipped with the gangway and the automatic jumper coupler in order to couple/uncouple formations easily. The destination indicator screens are not fitted because side windows are raising type. The sets were originally delivered with magenta body-side stripes, but were repainted with JR Shikoku corporate light blue body-side stripes.
The DC traction motors (MT55A) are controlled by CS51A traction system
featuring rheostatic control. Coil spring bogies are DT33A for motored
cars and DT21T for trailer cars.
The brake system is changed into the electric command brake. Although the
current collector was PS16, it was changed into S-PS58 in order to run
through the narrow tunnels between Minoura and to the west.
Seating is arranged as a mix of transverse seating bays and longitudinal bench seats. The sets are not equipped with toilets. The ceiling of the passenger room seems neat because the duct for the air conditioner is located over the ceiling, and the outlets of cool air are slit shape.
Two sets were modified for conductor-less operation with the addition of
the ticket machine, the fare display, and the fare box. These sets were
repainted with their original JNR-style magenta body-side stripes.
121 series are now used on the rural services and the rapid services of
the Yosan line and the Dosan line. |
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