E231 series

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E231 series
Chūo-Sōbu Line E231 series train at Ochanomizu Station

Initial acceleration	2.5 km/h/s, 3.0 km/h/s or 3.3 km/h/s
Top speed (service)	120 km/h
Top speed (design)	120 km/h
Deceleration	4.0 km/h/s (4.5 km/h/s for emergency brake)
Gauge	1067 mm
Voltage	DC
Safety systems	ATS-P, ATS-SN

Shonan Shinjuku Line E231 series (outer-suburban type)

The E231 series is currently the standard EMU used for commuter and outer-suburban services operated by JR East and manufactured by Tokyu Car Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and also at JR East's factory at Niitsu, Niigata Prefecture.

The type evolved from the earlier 209 series and E217 series EMU with the main visible difference being wider bodies (2,950 mm compared to the 2,800 mm for regular commuter trains), and the prototype trains built in 1998 for trials on the JR Sōbu Main Line were actually classified 209-950 series, later becoming the E231-900 series. Full-production E231-0 series trains were subsequently introduced on the Sōbu Line (10-car sets) and Jōban Line (10+5-car sets). Other variants include the 11-car E231-500 series for the Yamanote Line, and the E231-800 series with 2,800 mm wide bodies and end doors for use on Tōzai Subway interrunning services.

1 Variants and successive models
2 Lines with E231 series service
- 2.1 Commuter type
- 2.2 Outer-suburban type
3 See also

[edit] Variants and successive models

From 2000 onward, the first E231-1000 series outer-suburban variant was delivered for use on Utsunomiya Line and Takasaki Line services north from Ueno Station in Tokyo. These trains included transverse seating in some cars and were also equipped with toilets. Production continued into 2006 with trains delivered for use on the Tōkaidō Main Line south from Tokyo. From 2004 onward, two bilevel Green cars were inserted into all E231-1000 series 10-car sets.

A dual-voltage (1,500 V DC & 20 kV AC) development in the form of the E531 series design was introduced in 2005 for use on Jōban Line outer-suburban services, replacing aging 403 and 415 series EMUs.