223 series

The 223 series (223系) is a suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in the Kansai Region, Chūgoku region and Shikoku of Japan. Multiple batches of the train have been built with varying differences (particularly motor output control), although the overall general appearance remains similar.

Design of the rolling stock was an improved adaptation of the 221 series, with three pairs of doors per side per car and a transverse seating layout. Production of the train first began in 1993.

Variants

223-0, 223-2500 series

The first model (223-0) was delivered earlier than expected, and saw introduction into service on April 1, 1994 on the Hanwa Line. Later in the same year, on September 4 it began serving the Kansai Airport Line Rapid Service as Kansai International Airport opened. The train was initially fitted with luggage racks, for passengers travelling to/from the airport. A 1 + 2 seating configuration has been adopted to allow passengers to place bulky luggage on the floor where necessary.

Between 1996 and 1998, baggage cars were included, but due to lack of use it was reverted. Unable to cope with the increasing passenger traffic, new cars were produced and designated as the 223-2500, based on the 223-2000 model. These cars were introduced in 1999.

The 223-0/223-2500 sees regular service on the Osaka Loop Line, Hanwa Line (and Kansai Airport Line), and the Kisei Main Line. They are typically operated in 4+4-car formations, uncoupled at Hineno.

223-1000 series

This sub-series was manufactured between 1994 and 1995, and were quickly pressed into service in the summer of 1995 to curb dwindling passenger travel in the aftermath of the Great Hanshin earthquake. The trains sport a higher top service speed of 130 km/h, and were manufactured jointly between Kinki Sharyo, Hitachi, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Fold-up seats replace some of the regular ones, in order to increase standing capacity during peak hours. To lower the center of gravity, air-conditioning units have been shifted to the bottom of the carriages.

The 223-1000 services several routes: Hokuriku Main Line, Tōkaidō Main Line, Sanyō Main Line, Kosei Line, Kusatsu Line, and Sagano Line. A total of 92 cars were produced, and they are typically in 4- or 8-car formations.

223-2000 series

In 1999, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kinki Sharyo received a further order of 236 cars. This sub-series was built with substantial improvements: for example universal access toilets and heat absorbent windows. Its formation and assignment of routes are similar to the 223-1000 model.

223-5000 series

This sub-series was built in 2003 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, intended to replace the aging 213 series operating on the Marine Liner services on the Seto-Ōhashi line. It can be coupled to the bilevel JR Shikoku 5000 series, and ATS-P is not utilized. It was subsequently introduced on October 1 of the same year. JR West classifies its sets as 223-5000, while JR Shikoku classifies its sets as 5000 series.

223-5500 series

16 2-car sets were delivered in 2008, with the first sets entering service in July 2008. These sets are based at Fukuchiyama Depot, and are equipped for wanman driver-only-operation. Formation is KuMoHa223-5500 + KuHa222-5500.^[1]

223-6000 series

This sub-series was created by modifying 223-2000 series sets with performance restricted to match that of 221 series sets. The first 4-car set (V25) was returned to service on 21 January 2008. These sets are distinguished by an orange stripe on the front gangway doors between the headlight clusters.

223-9000 series (U@tech)

In September 2004, JR West unveiled the 3-car "U@tech" (you, Urban Network, ubiquitous, future + technology) experimental EMU converted from former Kawasaki Heavy Industries KuMoHa 223-9001, which was the prototype of the 223-2000 series and Seto-Ōhashi Line 213 series cars. This set is used to test and develop new technology for use on future narrow-gauge trains. The train is based at Suita Depot and began testing on the JR Kyoto Line and JR Kōbe Line from August 2004.

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  223-0 series

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  223-2500 series

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  223-1000 series

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  223-2000 series

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  223-5000 series

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  223-5500 series

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  223-6000 series

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  223-9000 series (U@tech)

Operations

JR West

223-0/2500 series

• Osaka Loop Line
• Hanwa Line (through services from Kansai Airport Line)
• Kansai Airport Line
• Kisei Main Line (Kinokuni Line) (Wakayama - Susami or Kii-Tanabe)

223-1000/2000 series

• Tōkaidō Main Line (Biwako Line, JR Kyoto Line, JR Kobe Line) (Maibara - Kōbe)
• Sanyō Main Line (JR Kobe Line) (Kōbe - Kamigōri)
• Hokuriku Main Line (Biwako Line) (Tsuruga - Maibara)
• Kosei Line (through services from Hokuriku Main Line)
• Kusatsu Line
• Akō Line (Aioi - Banshū-Akō)

223-5000 series

• Seto-Ōhashi Line (Marine Liner)
  • Uno Line (Okayama - Chayamachi)
  • Honshi-Bisan Line (Chayamachi - Kojima)

223-5500 series

• Fukuchiyama Line (Sasayamaguchi - Fukuchiyama)
• Sanin Main Line (Sagano Line) (Kyoto - Kinosaki Onsen)
• Maizuru Line

223-6000 (Aboshi depot) series

• Tōkaidō Main Line (Biwako Line, JR Kyoto Line, JR Kobe Line) (Maibara - Kōbe)
• Sanyō Main Line (JR Kobe Line) (Kōbe - Kamigōri)
• Bantan Line (Himeji - Teramae, sometimes substituted for 103 and 221 series)
• Akō Line (Aioi - Banshū-Akō)

223-6000 (Miyahara depot) series

• Tōkaidō Main Line (JR Kobe Line) (Ōsaka - Amagasaki)
• Fukuchiyama Line (JR Takarazuka Line) (Amagasaki - Sasayamaguchi or Fukuchiyama)

JR Central

223-1000/2000/6000 (Aboshi depot) series

• Tōkaidō Main Line (Maibara - Ōgaki)

JR Shikoku

223-5000 series

• Seto-Ōhashi Line (Marine Liner)
  • Honshi-Bisan Line (Kojima - Utazu)
  • Yosan Line (Utazu - Takamatsu)

Formations

223-0, 223-2500 series

4-car sets

The KuMoHa 223 and MoHa 223 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

223-1000 series

8-car sets

4-car sets

The KuMoHa 223 and MoHa 223 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

223-2000 series

8-car sets

6-car sets

4-car sets

The KuMoHa 223 and MoHa 223/222 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

223-5000 series

2-car sets

The KuMoHa 223 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

223-5500 series

2-car sets

The KuMoHa 223-5501/5502/5503/5504/5509 cars are equipped with a second de-icing pantograph.

223-6000 series

4-car Aboshi depot sets

The KuMoHa 223 and MoHa 222 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

4-car Miyahara depot sets

The KuMoHa 223 and MoHa 223 cars are each fitted with two scissors-type pantograph.

223-9000 series (U@tech)

The KuMoYa 223 and cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.

Interior

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  Interior view of 223-1000 series

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  Interior view of 223-2000 series

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  Interior view of 223-2500 series

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  2-abreast flip-over seats

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  223-5500 series longitudinal seating

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  223-2000 series universal access toilet

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  Driver's cab end of 223-5500 series showing LED fare board for wanman driver-only operation

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 223 series.

Electric Multiple Units of West Japan Railway Company DC commuter/suburban 42 84 101 103 105 113 115 117 123 125 201 205 207 211 213 221 223 225 227 321 323 DC express/limited express 165 167 183 281 283 285 287 289 381 AC/DC commuter/suburban 413 415 419 521 AC/DC express/limited express 455 471 475 485 489 583 681 683 Non-revenue/experimental 145 443 This list shows all JR West EMUs, both active and withdrawn, including those inherited from JNR. Shinkansen types are omitted.