Background and overview
In 2018, JR West developed 227-1000 series suburban DC electric multiple
unit (EMU) trains having longitudinal bench seating accommodation and onboard
smart card readers, expanding ICOCA acceptance to all JR West service in
Nara prefecture and on Wakayama line, in order to replace superannuated
105 series and 117 series EMU used on the rural services of the Wakayama,
Sakurai and Kisei lines. 28 two-car sets were delivered over the period
from September 2018 until August 2019.
Car body
They have 2950mm wide body, incorporating light weight stainless construction
and same cross-section shape as that of 225 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 green, brown
and warm gray waistline band running the length of each car below the windows.
They also have green accents applied at door cases. Cab ends constructed
by 4.5mm thick plate using hot-rolled atmospheric corrosion resisting steels
for welded structure (Steel Marine Atmospheric) for the protection against
obstacles at the level crossing are fitted with a gangway door with the
gangway connection base. Cab end employs the frontal impact accident measure
that shock absorbing beams above the cab ceiling to absorb the impact energy
and widen the lower part of cab space. A train classification sign featuring
colour-selectable LED is fitted above the gangway door and a colour-selectable
LED destination indicator is above the control desk. Two headlights and
auxiliary lights applied LED lamps are aslant fitted nearer to each side
of the gangway than 225-0 series and uniquely shaped LED trail lights are
fitted toward out of the headlights and auxiliary lights. They employ a
higher mounted driver's cab 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 between
the vehicles and at the cab end. They are equipped with three 1300mm wide
double-leaf automatic sliding doors on each side of the vehicles. Door
operating equipments, WTK131, having closing strength attenuated mechanism,
door nipping detector 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. Displays showing
entrance or exit are fitted on the door case beside the doorways at the
both ends for conductor-less operation. 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. A large colour-selectable LED destination screen
fitted on each side of the body is integrated with train classification
sign. Two air conditioners, WAU708B, 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. Platform detecting ultrasonic sensors
are fitted on each side of end section to prevent the passenger from falling
down when all or part of the train is not at a platform.
Bogies
Motored bogies are WDT63D, trailer bogies of end vehicles are WTR246I 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 to ensure smooth ride characteristics even at 110km/h, the yaw dampers and anti-rolling stabilizer are ready to be fitted. 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 WTR246I also employs parking brake device. A body vibration detector (BVD) applying accelerometers is fitted near their bogies to prevent damage caused by derailment and collision to name a few from spreading.
Traction unit and ancillary equipments
Their traction system, WPC16, employing Silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET in
order to reduce electricity consumption and to realize regeneration rate
improvement controls two PG (Pulse Generator) sensor-less totally enclosed
asynchronous motors, WMT107, with a power output of 220kW to improve workability
in maintenance featuring non-destructive bearing replacement. 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 kumoha227-1000 vehicles
are equipped with a motor driven rotary-screw air compressor, WMH3098-WRC1600,
under their floor and a single arm current pickup, WPS28E, on their roof
and prepared to be fitted with another current pickup on their roof. Some
class kumoha227-1000 vehicles are equipped with a second de-icing current
pickup. They feature the electric commanding brake with regenerative brake
and holding brake. Their transmission system employs duplex system featuring
the system configuration based on international standard and the standard
data transmission protocol, Train Realtime Data Protocol (TRDP), for the
system standardization and higher quality.
Accommodation
Seating accommodation consists of longitudinal seating of three-four-three-seater
having 470 mm wide per person. Stanchions were fitted at the both end and
centre of bench seating. Enlarged wind screens are fitted at the both end
of bench seating. Their seating is covered with green 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 feature LED lighting. A LED display for providing passenger information,
and a door chime are fitted above the door header of the sliding doors.
The ticket machines, which put the ticket indicating the boarding station,
and an onboard smart card reader for boarding are located beside doorways
at the end of their body. An LCD fare chart, a fare box, and an onboard
smart card reader for alighting are located behind the driver's cab. End
vehicles, class kumoha226-1000, are equipped with a universal access toilet
employing the vacuum toilet system. End vehicles, class kumoha227-1000
and kumoha226-1000, are also equipped with a wheel chair space. The control
desk of the driver's cab is equipped with three liquid crystal displays
showing the speed meter, the pressure gauge, and the other information
instead of analogue indicators. Information showing on each display is
switchable. Security cameras fitted under the ceiling are then fed to displays
located in the driver's cab. They feature EB-N dead man safety switch instead
of former EB system applying at timed intervals.
Additional delivery
Six additional 2-car sets delivered for only 227 series over the period from April 2020 until May to displace 117 EMU vehicles used on rural service of Kisei line.
Operations
227-1000 series EMU entered the revenue services of Wakayama line and Kisei line between Wakayama and Kii-Tanabe in March 2019. They also entered the revenue services of Sakurai line and Kisei line between Wakayama-shi and Wakayama to replace 105 series used on these lines. They also displaced 113 series EMU used the rural services between Wakayama and Kii-Tanabe in March 2000 and onboard smart card service started for the rural service of Wakayama line and Kisei line between Wakayama and Kii-Tanabe. Finally, they displaced remaining 105 series EMU used on the rural services of Kisei line between Kii-Tanabe and Shingu in March 2021. 227-1000 series are now used the rural services of Wakayama, Sakurai, and Kisei lines. |
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