781 series
Encyclopedia
The was an AC
electric multiple unit
formerly operated by Japan National Railways (JNR) and later Hokkaido Railway Company
(JR Hokkaido) on limited express services in Hokkaido
, Japan, between 1980 and 2007.
Cars 1 and 3 were each fitted with one N-PS785 single-arm pantograph (from 2004 onward).
Cars 1, 3, and 5 were each fitted with one N-PS785 single-arm pantograph.
Cars 1, 3, and 5 were each fitted with one PS102B scissors-type pantograph.
The 781 series electric multiple unit was designed specifically for limited express services on electrified lines in the Sapporo area of Hokkaido, to replace the 485-1500 series
EMUs first introduced on Ishikari
services in 1975, but which proved unreliable in the harsh winter conditions of Hokkaido.
A pre-production 6-car set, classified 781-900 series, was delivered in November 1978. The body was based on the JNR 485 series design, with a more rounded profile to prevent snow adhering, and the electrical systems were based on the earlier 711 series
suburban EMU.
Seven full-production 6-car sets were delivered from 1980, with minor improvements including the abolishment of two opening windows on each side. The pre-production set was modified to bring it in line with full production standards in October 1981.
The eight 6-car sets were reformed into twelve 4-car sets to cope with increased service frequency from the November 1986 timetable revision. This entailed converting eight MoHa 781 and SaHa 780 cars into KuMoHa 781-100 and KuHa 780-100 cars respectively by adding new cab ends.
A second side door was added to the KuHa 780 and SaHa 780 cars between 1991 and 1993 to reduce station dwell times. The MoHa 781 cars of sets L1 to L7 only were similarly treated in 1993.
Trains were repainted from the original JNR livery into a new livery based on that of the Super Tokachi
between February 1992 and March 1993.
Improved "u-Seat" reserved seating accommodation (rows 1 to 7) was added to half of car 4 between March and June 2001.
In 2003, sets L7 and L104 were reallocated to Hakodate depot and reformed to become 6-car set L7 for use on special Doraemon Undersea Train services between and inside the undersea Seikan Tunnel
from 19 July 2003. Each car was painted a different colour and decorated with Doraemon
characters. This operated until August 2006. The set was subsequently scrapped together with the two stored cars from former set L104.
The remainder of the fleet was withdrawn in September 2007.
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
electric multiple unit
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
formerly operated by Japan National Railways (JNR) and later Hokkaido Railway Company
Hokkaido Railway Company
The is one of the constituent companies of Japan Railways Group , and thus often known as . It operates intercity rail services in Hokkaido, Japan. The company introduced Kitaca, a smart card ticketing system, from autumn 2008....
(JR Hokkaido) on limited express services in Hokkaido
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, Japan, between 1980 and 2007.
4-car sets (1986–2007)
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | TAc' | M | TA | Mc |
| Numbering | KuHa 780 | MoHa 781 | SaHa 780 | KuMoHa 781 |
| Weight (t) | 45.2-45.4 | 46.2 | 43.1 | 48.5-48.8 |
| Capacity | 60-64 | 68 | 64 | 56 |
Cars 1 and 3 were each fitted with one N-PS785 single-arm pantograph (from 2004 onward).
6-car Doraemon Undersea Train set L7 (2003–2006)
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | TAc' | M | TA | M | TA | Mc |
| Numbering | KuHa 780 | MoHa 781 | SaHa 780 | MoHa 781 | SaHa 780 | KuMoHa 781 |
| Colour | Blue | Light green | Yellow | Vermillion | Pink | Red |
Cars 1, 3, and 5 were each fitted with one N-PS785 single-arm pantograph.
6-car sets (1980–1986)
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | TAc' | M | TA | M | TA | Mc |
| Numbering | KuHa 780 | MoHa 781 | SaHa 780 | MoHa 781 | SaHa 780 | KuMoHa 781 |
Cars 1, 3, and 5 were each fitted with one PS102B scissors-type pantograph.
Train services
- IshikariIshikari (train)The was a limited express train service in Japan operated by Japanese National Railways between and in Hokkaido, Japan, between 1975 and 1980.-Rolling stock:...
(1980) - LilacLilac (train)The was a limited express train service in Hokkaido, Japan, operated by Japanese National Railways and later Hokkaido Railway Company between 1980 and 2007.-Rolling stock:Services were normally formed of 4-car 781 series EMUs based at Sapporo...
(1 October 1980 – 30 September 2007) - White Arrow (3 March 1986 – August 1990)
- SuzuranSuzuranis the name of a limited express train service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company between and in Hokkaido, Japan. The current limited express service was introduced in July 1992, but the name was first used from 1956 for an express service operated by JNR between and Sapporo. "Suzuran" is the...
(1 July 1992 – 30 September 2007) - Airport Rapid (1992 – 15 March 2002)
Interior
The 781 series trainsets did not include Green class (first class) accommodation, but from March to June 2001, improved "u-Seat" seating was added to half of car 4 for reserved seat passengers. All other cars were normally designated as non-reserved seating.History
485 series
The is a limited express electric multiple unit type introduced in 1964 by Japanese National Railways , and currently operated by East Japan Railway Company , and formerly also operated by West Japan Railway Company and Kyushu Railway Company in Japan.-481 series:Introduced in 1964, the 481...
EMUs first introduced on Ishikari
Ishikari (train)
The was a limited express train service in Japan operated by Japanese National Railways between and in Hokkaido, Japan, between 1975 and 1980.-Rolling stock:...
services in 1975, but which proved unreliable in the harsh winter conditions of Hokkaido.
A pre-production 6-car set, classified 781-900 series, was delivered in November 1978. The body was based on the JNR 485 series design, with a more rounded profile to prevent snow adhering, and the electrical systems were based on the earlier 711 series
711 series
The is an AC electric multiple unit operated by Hokkaido Railway Company on Sapporo area suburban services in Hokkaido, Japan, since 1968...
suburban EMU.
Seven full-production 6-car sets were delivered from 1980, with minor improvements including the abolishment of two opening windows on each side. The pre-production set was modified to bring it in line with full production standards in October 1981.
The eight 6-car sets were reformed into twelve 4-car sets to cope with increased service frequency from the November 1986 timetable revision. This entailed converting eight MoHa 781 and SaHa 780 cars into KuMoHa 781-100 and KuHa 780-100 cars respectively by adding new cab ends.
A second side door was added to the KuHa 780 and SaHa 780 cars between 1991 and 1993 to reduce station dwell times. The MoHa 781 cars of sets L1 to L7 only were similarly treated in 1993.
Trains were repainted from the original JNR livery into a new livery based on that of the Super Tokachi
Super Tokachi
The is a limited express train service between and in Hokkaido, Japan, operated by Hokkaido Railway Company . As of October 2009, there are five trains per day running in both directions, with the fastest journey taking 2 hours 25 minutes .-History:The service commenced as the express on 1...
between February 1992 and March 1993.
Improved "u-Seat" reserved seating accommodation (rows 1 to 7) was added to half of car 4 between March and June 2001.
In 2003, sets L7 and L104 were reallocated to Hakodate depot and reformed to become 6-car set L7 for use on special Doraemon Undersea Train services between and inside the undersea Seikan Tunnel
Seikan Tunnel
The Seikan Tunnel is a railway tunnel in Japan, with a long portion under the seabed. Track level is about below seabed and below sea level. It travels beneath the Tsugaru Strait—connecting Aomori Prefecture on the Japanese island of Honshu and the island of Hokkaido—as part of the Kaikyo Line...
from 19 July 2003. Each car was painted a different colour and decorated with Doraemon
Doraemon
is a Japanese manga series created by Fujiko F. Fujio which later became an anime series and an Asian franchise...
characters. This operated until August 2006. The set was subsequently scrapped together with the two stored cars from former set L104.
The remainder of the fleet was withdrawn in September 2007.