Background and overview
Japanese National Railways developed the second generation of commuter
DC electric multiple unit (EMU) trains classified into 201-900 series,
incorporating several new technologies, and delivered pre-production set
in 1979. 2 sets were built, and formed 4 motored cars and 1 trailer car.
Car body
They have 2800mm narrow body. Their body design incorporates lightweight
shaped steel and pressed forming beam to realize a light weight body. The
hot-rolled steel was applied for their body skin. They are equipped with
4 double-leaf automatic sliding doors on each side of the vehicles. Pairs
of double-hung unit assembled windows and door case windows are fitted
between the doors. Upper sash employs balancer to open and close easily.
Door operating equipments are TK201, featuring rack and pinion type gearing
device. Roller-binding destination screens are fitted on the body. The
body length of end cars is 200mm longer than that of intermediate cars.
The cab end employs glabled shape and raised driver's cab. Windscreens
are asymmetric, and zincate treated aluminum black plate is fitted around
windscreens. An air conditioner, AU75B rated at 42,000kcal/h, is fitted
on the centre of their roof. Forced ventilators are fitted on the both
side of the air conditioner.
Bogies
While earlier commuter EMU trains featured coil spring bogies, 201-900 series featured DT46X/Y for motored and TR231X/Y for trailer air suspension bogies in order to realize improved stability. Their bogies employ cylindrical guide journal box supporting system and air springs mounted to the body directly. Motored bogies employ single tread brake device and trailer bogies employ disk brake device.
Traction unit and ancillary equipments
Eight powerful series-wound brushed DC traction motors, MT60, with a power
output of 150kW and featuring higher rated speed, are controlled by armature-chopper
traction control system, CH1, featuring reverse conducting thyristor and
HS36. The gear ratio is 5.6. 201 series adopt electromagnetic straight
air brake with regenerative brake. Class Moha201 vehicles are equipped
with two diamond-shaped current collectors, PS21, due to bounce against
feeder line while regenerating. Class Moha200 vehicles are equipped with
a motor generator, MH135-DM92 with a power output of 160kVA, for the auxiliary
power supply.
Accommodation
Seating is longitudinal throughout. Windshield plates are fitted at the
both end of seating. The air conditioning duct is fitted above the ceiling
in order to improve interior design and the outlets of cool air are slit
shape.
Operations of pre-production set
The pre-production unit of 201-900 series underwent extensive test running from Apr., 1979, and entered the revenue services on the Chuo line in Aug., 1979. After entering revenue services, the problem that the regeneration rate is not expected was found, test running was resumed in order to improve the regeneration rate.
Mass-Production sets
The first full-production standard set was delivered in 1980. There are
some noticeable differences over pre-production set. The body length of
end cars is matched with that of intermediate cars. The door case windows
behind the driver's cab are discontinued. The body height is made 20mm
higher than that of 201-900 series. Their body construction features weatherproof
high]tensile steel plate, continuously welding and polyurethane waterproof
coating of the roof for anti-corrosion improvement. The air conditioner
is changed into AU75D. Door operating equipments, TK4, are fitted under
the seatings.
Their bogies are DT46/TR231 adopting air suspension bogies employing not
direct mount but large diameter centre pivot. Motored bogies employ single
tread brake device and trailer bogies employ disk brake device.
Traction system, HS36, is re-classified into CS53. Moha201 vehicles are
equipped with only one diamond-shaped current collector, PS21. Motor generator
is changed into DM106, with a power output of 190kVA, featuring brush less.
Operations
Full-production type of 201 series are formed 6 motored cars and 4 trailer
cars and entered revenue service with Chuo line rapid service from 1981,
replacing superannuated 101 series.
Additional delivery
Vehicles built after 1981 employ new energy-efficient air conditioners,
AU75G.
Vehicles built after 1982 employ lower cost chopper traction control system, CH1B, employing high capacity thyristor. 10-car sets were also delivered for Chuo-Sobu ordinary services from 1982. 7-car sets were delivered for Tokaido-Sanyo ordinary services from 1983.
Vehicles built from 1983 are introduced some changes for cost reduction.
An upper sash balancer of double-hung windows is discontinued. A zincate
treated aluminum black plate fitted around windscreens is changed into
electrolytic colouring aluminum plate. Bogies are changed into DT46B/TR2321A
employing primary coil spring with cylindrical laminated rubber. Traction
motors are changed into MT60A, discontinuing a terminal box.
Although 201-900 series were formed 8 motored cars and 2 trailer cars,
their formation changed into 6 motored cars and 4 trailer cars by modification
to make a pair of motored cars into trailer cars. Their trailer cars were
classified into Saha201-900. Current collectors of some sets were changed
into low folding diamond-shaped current collectors, PS24, in order to run
Takao westward.
Latest operation status
After the splitting of the former JNR into the new privatized JR companies in April 1987, JR East, and JR West received 201 series vehicles.
JR East continued to change the current collector into the diamond-shaped
current collector, PS24, or the single-arm current collector, PS35C. Some
Moha201 were added a second de-icing current collector. 201 series had
been used on Chuo Line rapid services and Chuo-Sobu line ordinary services.
But 201 series used on Chuo-Sobu ordinary services were replaced with 209-500
series and E231-0 series, and surplus 201 series vehicles were transferred
to Keiyo line. Remaining 201 series vehicles used on Chuo line rapid services
and Keiyo line were replaced with E233-0 series or E233-5000 series. All
vehicles owned by JR East were retired in 2011.
201 series owned by JR West entered Kosei line ordinary services from 1994
and JR Takarazuka line in time for the start of JR Tozai line. In 2003,
refurbishment programme was commenced with the same accommodation as 207
series, including anti-corrosion measures and the changing of headlamps
among various other improvements for life-extension, after ventilators
on the roof were removed in 2002.
In 2005, surplus 201 series vehicles replaced with 321 series were transferred to Osaka Loop line and Yamatoji line. Formation were changed into 8-car for Osaka Loop line and 6-car for Yamatoji line. Destination indicator screens were chaned into LED displays, and superannuated air conditioners were changed into WAU709. 201 series used on Osaka Loop line ordinary services were replaced with 323 series in 2019. Formationsa of surplus 201 series were changed into 6 cars and raplace 103 series vehicles.
Now 201 series are used on Yamatoji line ordinary services and Osaka East
line ordinary services. |
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