Background and overview
JR West developed the 3rd generation suburban DC electric multiple unit
(EMU), 225-5000 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, which had been built in order to deliver for the
Kansai Airport rapid services and Kishuji rapid services on Hanwa line
for 14 years from 1994 in order to displace 221 series EMU used on rapid
services on Hanwa line and provide additional capacity of Kansai Airport
rapid services and Kishuji rapid services. 21 four-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 gradation
strato-blue waistline band running the length of each car below the windows.
They also have gray 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 223-2500
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. A train
classification rollsign and a LED destination indicator 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 are WTR246E, and trailer bogies for intermediate vehicles WTR246D 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 and the yaw dampers to ensure smooth ride characteristics even at 120km/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 120km/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 WTR246E also employs parking brake device.
Traction unit and ancillary equipments
Each 225-5000 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 223-2500 series feature 3-car unit system consisting of 1 powered vehicle and 2 trailer vehicles. Their traction system, WPC15A-G1, employing Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) controls two PG (Pulse Generator) sensor-less asynchronous motors, WMT106A-G1, 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 kumoha225-5000 and moha225-5000 vehicles are equipped with a motor driven rotary-screw air compressor, WMH3098-WRC1600, under their floor. Class kumoha225-5000 and moha225-5000 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 1+2 abreast switchable transverse seating with 910mm seating pitch and transverse bucket seating bays. Their seating is covered with blue 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 kumoha224-5000, are equipped with a universal access toilet employing the vacuum toilet system. End vehicles, class kumoha225-5000 and kumoha224-5000, are also equipped with a wheel chair space.
Additional delivery
Eight 4-car set were additionally delivered in 2011.
Modifications
An emergency ladder and ladder stowage box were fitted on the seatback next to the centre doorway for emergency escape since they are used on Kisei line with a risk of tidal wave caused by Nankai megathrust earthquakes.
The prominent anti-fall plates on the front ends were began to be fitted from 2015.
Operations
225-5000 series enter the revenue services by replacing former 221 series used on the rapid services on Hanwa line in October 2010. Then They commenced the Kansai Airport rapid services and Kishuji rapid services along with 223 series EMU in March 2011. They also entered the ordinary services on the Hanwa line in 2016. They are now used on the Kansai Airport rapid services, the Kishuji rapid services, and the ordinary services on Hanwa and Osaka-Loop lines. They are also used on the rural services on Kisei line between Wakayama and Susami. |
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