Background and overview
JR West developed the 3rd generation suburban DC electric multiple unit
(EMU), 225-0 series, having some differences having the improved body strength
and half unit system means that each vehicle has two driving wheels and
two trailing wheels to name a few over the 2nd generation suburban EMU
trains, 223 series, had been built in order to deliver for the rapid and
special rapid services in Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area for 14 years
from 1994 in order to displace remaining superannuated 113 series EMU.
5 eight-car sets were delivered in 2010.
Car body
They have 2950mm wide body, incorporating light weight stainless construction
and same cross-section shape as that of 321 series EMU. Their body employs
2mm thick skin and features laser beam welding for the improvement of body
strength and reduction of skin distortion of side construction. In addition,
their cross member of the underframe, side column, and carline are positioned
longitudinally to form ring shape construction for more intense strength
against lateral collision. Bodies are unpainted and have the beige, brown,
white and blue waistline band running the length of each car below the
windows. They also have brown accents applied at door cases. Cab ends constructed
by 4.5mm thick plate using hot-rolled atmospheric corrosion resisting steels
(Steel Marine Atmospheric) for welded structure in order to protect against
obstacles at the level crossing are fitted with an emergency gangway and
no gangway connection base. Cab end employs the frontal impact accident
measure that upper section of the cab is made weaker than the other section
to absorb the impact energy. A train classification roll sign is fitted
above the gangway door and a LED destination indicator is above the control
desk. Two headlights and auxiliary lights applied high intensity discharge
(HID) lamps are horizontally fitted each side of the gangway. Triangle
shaped LED trail lights are fitted above the headlights and auxiliary lights.
They employ a 130mm higher mounted driver's cab than 223 series EMU to
improve forward visibility. Their floor level is 10mm lower than 223-2000
series to realize a low centre of gravity and to eliminate the level difference
between platforms and the floor for accessibility. Anti-fall plates between
vehicles are also introduced excepting the cab end. They are equipped with
three 1300mm wide double-leaf automatic sliding doors on each side of the
vehicles. Door operating equipments, WTK123, having closing strength attenuated
mechanism and flashing alarm lamps while door opening/closing are fitted
above the door header of the sliding doors which can be operated manually
by pushing the buttons fitted beside the door. A large fixed window and
two drop windows on each side of a large fixed window are fitted between
the doors. Heat absorbent double-glazing glass is employed for all windows
in order to improve noise and thermal insulation property and prevent their
windows from dew condensation. Roller-binding train-type indicators and
LED destination indicators are fitted on each side of their body. Two air
conditioners, WAU708, rated at 22,000kcal/h/unit, are fitted on their roof.
Loudspeakers, providing guidance broadcast for passengers waiting at a
station, are fitted inside each air conditioner. Electric fans of air conditioner
supply fresh air into the passenger room, instead of ventilators on the
roof. End cars are equipped with the automatic jumper coupler to ease rush-up
operations.
Bogies
Motored bogies are WDT63A, trailer bogies of end vehicles and class moha225-300 vehicles are WTR246C, and trailer bogies for intermediate vehicles excepting class moha225-300 vehicles WTR246B featuring bolster-less secondary air suspension, axle arm type journal box supporting system, and the single link traction device. Their bogie employing bow-shaped bogie frame to lower the fitting position of bolster suspension realizes to lower the floor level. These bogies feature 2000mm wide distance between two secondary air suspension, the yaw dampers, and anti-rolling stabilizer to ensure smooth ride characteristics even at 130km/h. Quiet Westinghouse-Natal drive is applied for power transmission device. The gear ratio is 6.53 to get high acceleration performance and the maximum service speed at 130km/h. Motored bogie employs single tread brake rigging and trailer bogie employs both the double disk brake rigging and the single tread brake rigging and WTR246C also employs parking brake device.
Traction unit and ancillary equipments
Each 225 series vehicles are equipped with a trailer bogie and a powered bogie having two traction motors controlled by the traction system to keep up the transport service easily while a traction system is failed and to realize optimized regenerative braking with simple control, even though 223-1000 series feature 3-car unit system consisting of 1 powered vehicle and 2 trailer vehicles. Their traction system, WPC15A-G2, employing Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) controls two PG (Pulse Generator) sensor-less asynchronous motors, WMT106A-G2, with a power output of 270kW. Their traction system featuring 2 level Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is integrated with the auxiliary power supply unit with a power output of 75kVA, synchronizing with other auxiliary power supply units throughout the overall train set to achieve higher redundancy while in failure. Class kumoha225, moha225-0, and moha225-300 vehicles are equipped with a motor driven rotary-screw air compressor, WMH3098-WRC1600, under their floor. Class kumoha225 and moha225 vehicles are also equipped with a single arm current pickup, WPS28C, on their roof and prepared to be fitted with another current pickup on their roof. They feature the electric commanding brake with regenerative brake and holding brake.
Accommodation
Seating accommodation consists of 2+2 abreast switchable transverse seating
with 910mm seating pitch and transverse bucket seating bays with fold-down
auxiliary seating provided next to the doorway in order to increase standing
capacity during peak hours. Their seating is covered with brown fabric.
Their overhead luggage rack is 1765mm high compared with 223 series with
1850mm for easier handling. The air conditioning duct is fitted above the
ceiling in order to improve interior design and the outlets of cool air
are slit shape. Hanging straps with larger looped handle in green near
priority seating area and orange at the other for easier hold and perceptibility
compared with former 223 series are fitted throughout their body. The quantity
of hanging strap is one and a half times as many as 223 series. The passenger
saloons use fluorescent light covered with glass fiber. Six pairs of 19-inch
LCD display for providing passenger information and advertising are fitted
under the ceiling. End vehicles, class kumoha224, are equipped with a universal
access toilet employing the vacuum toilet system. End vehicles, class kumoha225
and kumoha224, are also equipped with a wheel chair space.
Additional delivery
Five 6-car sets and six four-car sets were additionally delivered in 2011. Two additional 8-car sets were also delivered in 2012.
Modifications
Five 6-car sets and three 4-car sets were modified with performance restricted to match the use on JR Takarazuka line and classified into -6000 subseries. The prominent anti-fall plates on the front ends were began to be fitted from 2015.
Operations
225-0 commenced the special rapid services and the rapid services on JR Kobe line, JR Kyoto line, Biwako line, Kosei line, Ako line and Tokaido line between Ogaki and Maibara in December, 2010. They were withdrawn the services on Tokaido line between Maibara and Ohgaki in 2016. They are now used on the special rapid services and the rapid services on JR Kobe, JR Kyoto, Biwako, Kosei and Ako lines. |
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