Background and overview
JR East developed the standard gauge suburban AC electric multiple unit (EMU) trains, 701-5500 series, based on 701-5000 series used of Tazawako line with some improvements respectively to complement the ordinary trains for the start of extended standard gauge section of Ou line to Shinjyo in 1999. Nine 2-car sets consisting of 1 powered vehicle and 1 trailer vehicle were delivered in 1999.
Car body
They have 2888mm narrow body. Their body construction is that the pressed
stainless sheet and the outside sheet are combined together and those sheets
themselves keep the strength. Bodies are unpainted and have the orange
and green waistline band running the length of each car below the side
windows. Green bands are also fitted below the windscreens. The end vehicles
are equipped with a gangway door painted in green and featured low front
cab style. Tow headlights featuring the sealed beam light bulb are fitted
above the front gangway door, and rectangular LED taillights are fitted
above the windscreens. A LED destination indicator is fitted above the
opposite side of the control desk. They are equipped with three 1300mm
wide double-leaf automatic step-less doors on each side of the vehicles.
Door operating equipments, TK113C, are fitted above the door header of
the sliding doors which can be operated manually by pushing the buttons
fitted beside the door. Horizontal band of 4 set windows including two
960mm high double-hung side windows, the upper sash of which moves down
and the lower is fixed, between the doors are fitted between the doors,
and fixed windows are fitted at the end of the vehicle. Class kuha700 vehicles
have a pair of fixed windows located next to the toilet. Heat absorbent
glass is employed for all windows in order to eliminate blinds. LED destination
displays and loudspeakers, providing guidance broadcast for passengers
waiting at a station, are fitted on each side of the body. An air conditioner,
AU723 rated at 38,000kcal/h, is fitted on the centre of their roof. No
ventilators are fitted on the roof. End cars are equipped with the automatic
jumper coupler to ease rush-up operations.
Bogies
The 701-5000 series are equipped with DT63A bogies on the powered vehicles and TR252 bogies on the trailers, featuring the single link traction device, the bolster-less secondary air suspension and the axle arm type journal box supporting system. Twin Disc (TD) flexible joint employing deflecting plates made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is applied for power transmission device. The gear ratio is 7.07. Motored bogies employ single tread brake device and trailer bogies employ double disk brake device.
Traction unit and ancillary equipments
Powered intermediate vehicles, class kumoha701-5500, are equipped with a traction system, CI10, which controls 4 AC traction motors, MT65A, with a power output of 125kW on truck basis. This traction system consists of a 3-level PWM converter employing Insulated Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and a 3-level Variable-frequency drive (VFD) employing IGBT. Their powered vehicles are also equipped with a traction transformer, TM29, an ancillary power supply unit, SC49, under their floor, and a lozenge current pickup, PS105, on their roof. On the other hand, trailer end vehicles, class kuha700-5500, are equipped with a motor-driven screw air compressor, MH1112-C1600MF. They feature the electric commanding brake with regenerative brake and holding brake.
Accommodation
Passenger accommodation feature longitudinal bucket bench seating throughout with wind protection panel at the 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. Their cab is a compartment type located at the left side of the train for conductor-less operation. They are equipped with the ticket machines, which put the ticket indicating the boarding station, located beside doorways, a fare LED display and the fare box located behind the cab. A 1200 wide double leaf sliding door is fitted at the gangway connection to ease the movement between vehicles in conductor-less operation. Trailer end vehicles, class kuha700-5500, are equipped with a universal access toilet with a chemical holding tank. A wheelchair space is located across the aisle from the toilet. A LED display for providing passenger information, and a door chime are fitted above the door header of the sliding doors.
Operations
701-5500 series vehicles were delivered to Yamagata depot and entered revenue services on Ohu line between Yamagata and Shinjyo in December 1999. Now they are used on are now used on the rural services on Ohu line between Yonezawa and Shinjyo. |
|
