115 series – Wikipedia

115 series
115 series
	A 6-car 115 series formation in Shonan livery on the Jōetsu Line in June 2017
In service	1963–present
Replaced	80 series
Constructed	1963–1983
Entered service	March 1963
Refurbished	1998– (for selected 115 series trains)
Scrapped	1987–
Number built	1,921 vehicles
Number in service	315 vehicles (as of April 2021)
Number preserved	1 vehicle
Successor	E129 series, 211 series, 223 series, 227 series, E231-1000 series, 311 series, 313 series
Fleet numbers	A01 – A17, C13, C21, D01 – D31, G01 – G08, L01 – L22, L99, N01 – N21, O03 – O04, R01 – R05, T11 – T14, T1020, T1022, T1032, T1036 – T1041, T1043 – T1044, T1046, T1090 – T1091, T1133, T1142 – T1145, T1147, T1159
Operator(s)
Depot(s)	Toyoda; Nagano; Niigata; Fukuchiyama ; Okayama; Hiroshima; Shimonoseki ; Togura
Car body construction	Steel
Doors	3 pairs per side; 2 pairs per side (115-3000 series)
Maximum speed	110 km/h (68.4 mph)
Traction system	Resistor control
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead lines
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
Braking system(s)	Dynamic braking for retarder
Safety system(s)	ATS-S, ATS-P
Coupling system	Shibata
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Japanese electric multiple unit train type

The 115 series (115系, 115-kei) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type developed by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and now operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West), and the Shinano Railway.^[2]

Operations[edit]

JR East[edit]

JR East operated their last 115 series train on 11 March 2022.^[3] 115 series trains were previously used on the Shōnan-Shinjuku Line, Takasaki Line, Utsunomiya Line, Chuo Main Line(East Line), Shinonoi Line, Oito Line, Agatsuma Line, Ryomo Line, Joetsu Line, Shinetsu Main Line, Yahiko Line, and the Echigo Line.

JR-West[edit]

Currently used on the Hakubi Line, Maizuru Line, Sagano Line, Sanin Main Line and the Sanyō Main Line

JR Central[edit]

Formerly used on the Minobu Line, Gotemba Line and the Tōkaidō Main Line. Sets owned by JR East currently operate on the JR Central Iida Line and Chūō Main Line (West Line).

Shinano Railway[edit]

Currently used on the Shinano Railway Line. Start of retirement in July 2020 with the debut of the new SR1 series on 4 July 2020. ^[4]

Variants[edit]

115-0 series[edit]

This is a cold-weather and mountainous line version of the earlier 113 series. The first examples were introduced from 1963 on the Takasaki Line out of Ueno.

115-300 series[edit]

Air-conditioned version introduced from 1973.

115-300 series in 2008 January
Interior view in November 2014

115-1000 series[edit]

Introduced from 1978 with increased seat pitch and improved cold-weather performance.

115-1000 series in January 2017
Interior view in October 2021
Priority seating in October 2021

115-2000 series[edit]

Hiroshima, Shimonoseki and Shizuoka area version introduced in 1978. Specifications based on 115-1000 series.

115-2000 series in March 2009

115-3000 series[edit]

Two-door version introduced from November 1982 to replace 153 series EMUs on “Rapid” services in the Shimonoseki area.

Interior view in December 2021
Priority seating in December 2021

115-3500 series[edit]

Former 117 series MoHa 117 and MoHa 116 two-door cars converted from May 1992 for use in the Okayama and Hiroshima areas.

Moha115-3500 in March 2009

115-6000 series[edit]

JR-West 2-car sets converted in 1999 by building new cabs at one end of former MoHa (non-driving motor) cars.

115-6000 series in August 2006

Livery variations[edit]

Shōnan livery in April 2022
“Suka” livery in November 2018
Minobu Line livery in November 1983
Original Nagano livery June 2018
New Nagano livery in January 2008
First Niigata livery in 1989
Second Niigata livery in February 2007
New Niigata livery in February 2007
First Yahiko Line livery in October 2020
Second Yahiko Line livery in March 2015
Setouchi livery in June 2008
Hiroshima Rapid livery in August 2008
Kansai refurbished livery (115-1600 series) in May 2007
Hiroshima refurbished livery (115-1000 series) in August 2009
Setouchi area livery (115-600 series) in October 2010
(Old) Fukuchiyama Line livery
New Fukuchiyama Line livery
Shinano Railway livery in March 2018

Special liveries[edit]

In January 2017, Niigata-based set N3 was repainted into the original “Niigata Livery” of red and yellow formerly carried by JNR 70 series EMU trains.^[5]

Original “Niigata Livery” in January 2021

In April 2017, Shinano Railway three-car set S7 was repainted into the original Nagano livery of cream and green as part of the Shinshu area promotional campaign to be held from July to September 2017.^[6]

In September 2017, Niigata-based set N37 was repainted in the first “Niigata area” livery.^[7]

Withdrawal[edit]

Withdrawals first begun in 1985 following the introduction of 211 series. The 115 series were gradually phased out on some services. The first units were scrapped in 1987.

Preserved examples[edit]

Former JR East end car KuMoHa 115 1061 is scheduled to be displayed at the Niigata City Niitsu Railway Museum in Niitsu, Niigata between July and September 2017.^[8]