E351 series
Japanese electric multiple unit train type
title: "E351 series" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["electric-multiple-units-of-japan", "tilting-trains", "east-japan-railway-company", "hitachi-multiple-units", "nippon-sharyo-multiple-units", "train-related-introductions-in-1993", "1500-v-dc-multiple-units-of-japan", "raised-cab-multiple-units", "4-car-emus", "scrapped-emus"] description: "Japanese electric multiple unit train type" topic_path: "geography/japan" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E351_series" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Japanese electric multiple unit train type ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox train"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | E351 series |
| image | E351 Super Azusa 20100119.jpg |
| imagealt | E351 series image |
| imagesize | 300px |
| caption | An E351 series EMU on a Super Azusa service in January 2010 |
| service | December 1993 – April 2018 |
| manufacturer | Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo |
| replaced | 183 series |
| successor | E353 series |
| yearconstruction | 1993-1996 |
| yearservice | 23 December 1993 |
| yearscrapped | 2017–2018 |
| numberbuilt | 60 vehicles (10 sets) |
| numberservice | None |
| numberpreserved | None |
| numberscrapped | 60 vehicles (10 sets) |
| formation | 4/8 cars per trainset |
| fleetnumbers | S1–S5, S21–S25 |
| operator | |
| depots | Matsumoto |
| lines | Chuo Main Line |
| carbody | Steel |
| carlength | 20700 - |
| width | 2843 mm |
| doors | 2 per side |
| maxspeed | 130 km/h |
| traction | Variable frequency (GTO, IGBT) |
| poweroutput | 3,600 kW per 12-car formation |
| electricsystem | 1,500 V DC overhead |
| collectionmethod | PS31 single-arm pantograph |
| bogies | DT62A (motored), TR247 (trailer) |
| brakes | Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, snow-resistant brake |
| safety | ATS-P, ATS-Ps |
| gauge | |
| :: |
| name = E351 series | image = E351 Super Azusa 20100119.jpg | imagealt = E351 series image | imagesize = 300px | caption = An E351 series EMU on a Super Azusa service in January 2010 | service = December 1993 – April 2018 | manufacturer = Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo | factory = | family = | replaced = 183 series | successor = E353 series | yearconstruction = 1993-1996 | yearservice = 23 December 1993 | refurbishment = | yearscrapped = 2017–2018 | numberconstruction = | numberbuilt = 60 vehicles (10 sets) | numberservice = None | numberpreserved = None | numberscrapped = 60 vehicles (10 sets) | formation = 4/8 cars per trainset | fleetnumbers = S1–S5, S21–S25 | capacity = | operator = | depots = Matsumoto | lines = Chuo Main Line | carbody = Steel | trainlength = | carlength = 20700 - | width = 2843 mm | height = | floorheight = | platformheight = | entrylevelorstep = | doors = 2 per side | maxspeed = 130 km/h | weight = | axleload = | acceleration = | deceleration = | traction = Variable frequency (GTO, IGBT) | poweroutput = 3,600 kW per 12-car formation | aux = | powersupply = | hvac = | electricsystem = 1,500 V DC overhead | collectionmethod = PS31 single-arm pantograph | bogies = DT62A (motored), TR247 (trailer) | brakes = Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, snow-resistant brake | safety = ATS-P, ATS-Ps | coupling = | multipleworking = | gauge =
The E351 series was a tilting electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on Chuo Main Line Super Azusa limited express services in Japan from 1993 to 2018. First introduced in December 1993 (initially on Azusa services), a total of 60 vehicles were built, formed as five eight-car main sets (numbers S1 to S5) and five four-car supplementary (numbers S21 to S25) sets.
Concept
Built jointly by Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo, the tilting E351 series trains were intended to replace the aging 183 series EMUs used on Azusa Limited express services operating between in Tokyo and Matsumoto, and to increase speeds on the highly curved Chūō Main Line.
Operations
At the time of withdrawal in 2018, the E351 series trains were used on the following services:
- Super Azusa limited express services (3 December 1994 – 16 March 2018) – through service to the Oito Line withdrawn 12 March 2010
- Chūō Liner rapid services (15 March 2008 – 16 March 2018) – Commuter services on the Chuo Main Line Other services previously operated by the series include:
- Azusa limited express services (23 December 1993 – 2 December 1994)
- Ohayo Liner Shinjuku / Home Liner Odawara rapid services (16 March 1996 – 14 March 2008) – Commuter services on the Tokaido Main Line
Formations
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Jreast_e351door.jpg" caption="An eight-car set with gangwayed cab car leading in January 2007"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/JREast-E351-Coupling.JPG" caption="Coupled gangwayed ends at Shinjuku Station in March 2007"] ::
The fleet consisted of five four-car sets (S21–S25) and five eight-car sets (S1–S5), formed as shown below, with car 1 (car 5) at the Shinjuku or Tokyo end.
4-car sets S21–S22
::data[format=table]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Designation | Numbering | Seating capacity | Weight (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tc' | M1 | M2 | Tc' | |||||
| KuHa E351-1100 | MoHa E351-1000 | MoHa E350-1000 | KuHa E351-1200 | |||||
| 60 | 52 | 68 | 52 | |||||
| 36.9 | 39.7 | 39.8 | 38.2 | |||||
| :: |
- Car 4 had a retracting gangway.
- Car 2 was fitted with a PS31 single-arm pantograph.
- Cars 2 and 4 were fitted with toilets.
4-car sets S23–S25
::data[format=table]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Designation | Numbering | Seating capacity | Weight (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tc | M1 | M2 | Tc' | |||||
| KuHa E351-0 | MoHa E351-0 | MoHa E350-0 | KuHa E350-100 | |||||
| 60 | 52 | 68 | 52 | |||||
| 38.3 | 38.3 | 37.9 | 36.3 | |||||
| :: |
- Car 4 had a retracting gangway.
- Car 2 was fitted with a PS31 single-arm pantograph.
- Cars 2 and 4 were fitted with toilets.
8-car sets S1–S2
::data[format=table]
| Car No. | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Designation | Numbering | Seating capacity | Weight (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tc | M1 | M2 | T | Ts | M1 | M2 | Tc | |||||
| KuHa E351-1300 | MoHa E351-1000 | MoHa E350-1100 | SaHa E351-1000 | SaRo E351-1000 | MoHa E351-1100 | MoHa E350-1000 | KuHa E351-1000 | |||||
| 60 | 60 | 64 | 64 | 50 | 55 | 68 | 52 | |||||
| 37.2 | 39.7 | 40.5 | 33.9 | 32.7 | 39.9 | 39.8 | 37.6 | |||||
| :: |
- Car 5 had a retracting gangway.
- Cars 6 and 10 were each fitted with a PS31 single-arm pantograph.
- Cars 6, 8, 10, and 12 were fitted with toilets.
8-car sets S3–S5
::data[format=table]
| Car No. | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Designation | Numbering | Seating capacity | Weight (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tc | M1 | M2 | T | Ts | M1 | M2 | Tc' | |||||
| KuHa E351-100 | MoHa E351-0 | MoHa E350-100 | SaHa E351-0 | SaRo E351-0 | MoHa E351-100 | MoHa E350-0 | KuHa E350-0 | |||||
| 60 | 60 | 64 | 64 | 50 | 55 | 68 | 52 | |||||
| 38.9 | 38.3 | 38.4 | 32.0 | 32.0 | 38.9 | 37.9 | 35.2 | |||||
| :: |
- Car 5 had a retracting gangway.
- Cars 6 and 10 were each fitted with a PS31 single-arm pantograph.
- Cars 6, 8, 10, and 12 were fitted with toilets.
Original set formations
When first delivered, the two pairs of sets were numbered and formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Shinjuku end.
::data[format=table]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Numbering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KuHa E351-100 | MoHa E351 | MoHa E350 | SaHa E351 | SaRo E351 | MoHa E351-100 | MoHa E351 | KuHa E351-200 | KuHa E351-300 | MoHa E351 | MoHa E350 | KuHa E351 | ||
| :: |
Interior
Both standard class and Green (first) class seating were arranged 2+2 abreast.
E351 series trains were made entirely no-smoking on 18 March 2007.
File:Inside of JR E351.JPG|Green car interior File:Green Car seat of JR E351 20071102.jpg|Green car seating File:Seat of JR E351.JPG|Standard-class seating
History
Introduction
Two pairs of first-batch sets (S1+S21 and S2+S22) were delivered in 1993, and were introduced on Azusa services from 23 December 1993.
''Super Azusa'' introduction
From the start of the revised timetable on 3 December 1994, four return Azusa workings were upgraded and rebranded as Super Azusa, operating between Shinjuku and Matsumoto or Minami-Otari using E351 series equipment.
2nd batch
Three pairs of second-batch sets were delivered in 1995, and the first two pairs of sets (S1+S21 and S2+S22) were modified to bring them up to production specifications at JR East's Nagano Workshop and Nippon Sharyo, respectively, in March 1996. Modifications included replacing the original PS26C lozenge-type pantographs with PS31 single-arm pantographs, and renumbering the cars in the -1000 series. From the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 1996, the number of Super Azusa services using E351 series equipment was increased from four return trips daily to eight return trips.
1997 Ōtsuki Station collision
On 12 October 1997, the down Super Azusa 13 service from Shinjuku to Matsumoto (formed of sets S3+S23) was involved in a collision with a 201 series local train that had overrun a red signal while passing through Ōtsuki Station. Several cars were derailed and one car overturned. Five cars of set S3 were ultimately cut up on site, and replacement car bodies ordered from Hitachi. The rebuilt vehicles retained their original running numbers.
Withdrawal
The replacement of the E351 series trains by new E353 series EMUs began on 23 December 2017, with the entire fleet phased out from regular passenger services on 16 March 2018.
A special final run service was held on 7 April 2018 to commemorate the E351 series sets' retirement, after which the sets were officially withdrawn.
After their withdrawal, the trains were transferred to Nagano General Rolling Stock Center for scrapping. No E351 series cars have been preserved.
Build details
The individual build details for the fleet are as shown below.
::data[format=table]
| Batch | Set No. | Manufacturer | Date delivered | Date withdrawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | S1 | Hitachi | 16 September 1993 | script-title=ja: JR電車編成表 2019冬 |
| S2 | Nippon Sharyo | 30 September 1993 | script-title=ja: JR車両のうごき | trans-title= JR rolling stock changes |
| 2nd | S3 | Hitachi | 19 December 1995 | 8 April 2018 |
| S4 | 9 January 1996 | |||
| S5 | Nippon Sharyo | 16 January 1996 | 24 December 2017 | |
| 1st | S21 | Hitachi | 16 September 1993 | 4 April 2018 |
| S22 | Nippon Sharyo | 16 October 1993 | 24 December 2017 | |
| 2nd | S23 | 19 December 1995 | 8 April 2018 | |
| S24 | Hitachi | 9 January 1996 | ||
| S25 | Nippon Sharyo | 16 January 1996 | 24 December 2017 | |
| :: |
References
References
- Saka, Masahiro. (March 2014). "JR第1世代の車両・現況と概要". Kotsu Shimbun.
- (2009). "Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009". Neko Publishing.
- Kotsu Shimbunsha. (October 2011)
- Neko Publishing. (1995)
- Kousai Shuppansha. (May 1997)
- link. (29 October 2017). Sankei Photo. The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital
- link. (22 February 2018). JR East. The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital
- (29 January 2022). "あぁ～残念！ 博物館入りすることなく廃車に 悲運なJR東日本の車両3選". Mediavague Co., ltd..
- {{cite magazine. Azusa. Takeshi. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. (April 2018)
- (15 November 2017). "JR電車編成表 2018冬". Kotsu Shimbunsha.
- Kotsu Shimbunsha. (14 November 2018)
- {{cite magazine. Kotsu Shimbun. (March 2018)
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