Background and overview
JR Kyushu developed 2nd generation intercity AC electric multiple unit
(EMU) trainset, 787 series, to deliver to new "Tsubame" intercity
services inheriting "Ariake" intercity services linking Hakata
and Nishi-Kagoshima in 1992. 787 series are more amenable than 783 series
EMU to compete against developing high-speed bus services. 787 series sets
are long 7-car formation, consisting of 6 powered cars and 1 trailer car,
to fill up the decreased seating capacity by introducing more amenable
accommodation. During busy seasons, additional 2 cars are coupled.
Car body
Their bodies are constructed by steel, employing weatherproof high-tension
steel sheet and stainless plate for the wainscot to be prevented from corrosion.
The end section of the trains employs slant shape with no gangway, featuring
built in 2 fog lamps fitted on the lower part and an auxiliary lamp fitted
on above the windscreens. They are equipped with a 900mm wide single-leaf
sliding stepped door and small fixed windows per each seat on each side
of their body. Traditional roller-binding destination and classification
screens are fitted on the side of the body. Two air conditioners, AU405K,
rated at 21,000kcal/h are fitted on their roof. Their livery is light or
dark gray with a "TSUBAME" logo splashed everywhere.
Bogies
Motored bogies are DT400K and trailer bogies are TR400K, featuring bolster-less
secondary air suspension, coil spring primary suspension with cylindrical
laminated rubber, the Z link traction device and the yaw dampers to ensure
smooth ride characteristics even at 130km/h. Motored bogies employ single
tread brake device and trailer bogies employ both single disk brake device
and single tread brake device.
Traction unit and ancillary equipments
Shunt-wound brushed DC traction motors, MT61QB, with a power output of
150kW realize high acceleration performance at high speed and high maximum
service speed at 130km/h by adopting low gear ratio at 3.5. Class kumoro787
and class moha787 vehicles are equipped with a traction system, CS404K,
adopting thyristor phase control, which controls eight traction motors
of two powered cars. Class kumoha786 and class moha786 vehicles are equipped
with powered a traction rectifier, RS404K, and a traction transformer,
TM401K, under the floor and a cross-arm type current collector, PS400K,
on the roof. Class moha787 and class sahashi787 vehicles are equipped with
a motor driven air compressor, MH1091Q-TC2000QA, under the floor. The brake
system is the rheostatic electric command pneumatic brake, supporting holding
brake.
Accommodation
Open plan accommodation is adjustable reclining seating. 1st class vehicles have 2+1 abreast seating with 1200mm seating pitch and standard class vehicles have 2+2 abreast seating with 1000mm seating pitch. The audio control units for audio programme are also provided at each seat of the 1st class. Their luggage rack is the airplane overhead bin style. Standard class cabins excepting class saha787 have a baggage rack. 1sr class also features one 3-seat compartment branded "Top cabin" and one 4-seat compartment branded "Saloon compartment", consisting of a reclining seat and a three-seater sofa. Standard class features six 4-seat compartments in class sahashi787. Class sahashi787 also has a buffet providing light meal and drink, having a wooden counter fitted in the centre of the buffet and small tables on the window side, and featuring a high domed ceiling. All vehicles excepting class kumoro787 are equipped with both a western style toilet for male and that for female, introduced the vacuum toilet system. Class kumoha787 is equipped with a western style toilet for 1st class passengers. A universal access toilet of class moha786 is for handicapped and female. Class kumoro787 and class moha786 vehicles are equipped with a public telephone room. Class moha786 vehicles are also equipped with a multi-purpose room. A LED display for providing passenger information is fitted above the door between a vestibule and a passenger saloon.
Modification and History of Operations
787 series entered the "Tsubame" intercity revenue services in
1992.
Additional two 9-car sets delivered for "Nichirin Seagaia" intercity
services in 1993 differ from previous 787 series EMU in providing wheelchair
spaces in a passenger saloon of class moha767, resulting in seating capacity
reduction. As the result Moha786-0 is classified into -200 and moha786-100
is into -300.
Additional two 9-car sets were delivered for "Kamome" intercity services in 1994. Additional three 7-car sets were also delivered for "Tsubame" intercity services to replace 783 series EMU used on "Tsubame" intercity services in 1994.
In 1999, JR Kyushu formed 4-car sets of 787 series by consisting of newly
built trailer end cars and existing intermediate powered cars extracted
from 9-car sets or 8-car sets used on "Tsubame" intercity services,
in order to deliver them to "Ariake" intercity services. Newly
built end cars were classified into class kuroha786 including both 1st
class room and standard class room, and class kuha787 having standard class
room only. The audio control units provided at each 1st class seating was
discontinued. Each first-class seating has a power supply outlet for mobile
PC users instead of an audio control unit. A designated smoking room is
located in class kuroha786. "ARIAKE" logos were splashed everywhere.
In 2000, JR Kyushu built additional kuroha786 vehicles and remodeled existing
class saha787-100 trailer intermediate cars into trailer end cars by joining
the cab section to replace 783 series EMU used on "Ariake" intercity
services. Remodeled trailer end cars having reduced seating capacity were
classified into kuha787-100. These end cars are equipped with the automatic
jumper coupler to ease rush-up operations.
In 2002, JR Kyushu started to undergo extensive refurbishment programme since 787 series would be used on "Relay Tsubame" after the start of operations on the Kyushu Shinkansen between Shin-Yatsushiro and Kagoshima-Ch?? from 13 March 2004. 2-2 abreast reclining seatings with 1200mm seating pitch were fitted in the buffet section of class sahashi787 to increase the seating capacity of standard class, expanding the window size of the former buffet section. Their livery was changed into dark gray and stainless cutout characters of "TSUBAME" were fitted on the body.
One 3-seat compartment branded "Top cabin" located in kumoro787
was changed into deluxe first-class seating in 2005.
"TSUBAME" and "ARIAKE" logos applied on the body were
changed into "AROUND THE KYUSHU".
JR Kyushu fitted the loudspeakers providing guidance broadcast for passengers
waiting at a station, door chimes, and door operating lamps to start the
conductor less operation of "Nichirin", "Karishma",
and "Hyuga" intercity services.
JR Kyushu changed traditional roller-binding destination screens into LED destination indicators from 2020.
Latest operation status
787 series EMU are now used on "Kamome", "Midori",
"Nichirin Seagaia", "Kirishima", and "Hyuga"
intercity services. |
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