Background and overview
JR East diverted 209-0 series EMU to the used on rural services in Boso region with some modification in order to displace superannuated 113 series. They were classified into -2000 subseries and 26 six-car sets consisting of 4 motored vehicles and 2 trailer vehicles, and 42 four-car sets consisting of 2 motored vehicles and 2 trailer vehicles were modified from 2009 to 2013.
Car body
They have some modifications over 209-0 series. They have yellow and blue
coloured waistline and headline bands running the length of each car below
and above the windows. Their pilot of the end vehicles is strengthened
to reduce the impact against obstacles at the level crossing. End vehicles
are also equipped with the automatic jumper coupler to ease rush-up operations.
Door operating equipments, TKE150, featuring electric screw drive and classified
into -2100 subseries are fitted above the door header of the sliding doors
excepting some trailer end vehicles classified into -2000 subseries employ
pneumatic drive. Only one door a vehicle can be opened while long time
stopping at the situations of train meet or turn back not to be affected
by ambient temperature. Traditional destination rollsigns fitted on the
front and side of the vehicles were replaced with LED destination displays.
Bogies
Their brake lever ratio of the trailer bogie was changed caused by increased end vehicle mass and trailer bogies was classified into TR246U.
Traction unit and ancillary equipments
Their traction system was replaced with a 2-level Variable-frequency drive (VFD), SC88A, employing Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), and their auxiliary supply was replaced with 3-level inverter, SC92, which adopt IGBT and have a power output of 210kVA. ATS-P and ATS-N signaling system were fitted instead of D-ATC signaling system, and also equipped with emergency brake device and emergency train protection device under their floor. A motor driven air compressor class kuha209-2000 vehicles are equipped with was gotten rid of.
Accommodation
Passenger accommodation was changed into the mixture of longitudinal bench seating and transverse bucket seating bays with 1350mm seating pitch. Powered intermediate vehicles, class moha208-2100, are equipped with a universal access toilet employing a chemical holding tank and a wheel chair space.
Operations
209-2000 series entered revenue services and displaced 113 series EMU and 211 series EMU in October, 2009. However, some of 209-2000 series vehicles were replaced on rural services with new E131 series EMU. Some 6-car sets were shortened to 4-car sets and the two surplus powered intermediate vehicles from each set along with three others 6-car sets were scrapped.
209-2000 series are now sued on the rural services of Sobu, Uchibo, Sotobo, and Tohgane lines. |
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