201 series

Operations

The 201 series stock was used on a large number of lines.

JR-West

• Kansai Main Line (Yamatoji Line), Sakurai Line (Manyo Mahoroba Line), Wakayama Line (from 2006 to 14 March 2025)

• Tokaido Main Line, Sanyo Main Line (Biwako Line, JR Kyoto Line, JR Kobe Line) (Kusatsu – Kakogawa) (from 1983 to 2007)

• Kosei Line (from 1997 to 2007, 2018 [test runs])

• Fukuchiyama Line (JR Takarazuka Line) (from 1997 to 2007)

• Osaka Loop Line (from 2005 to 7 June 2019)

• Sakurajima Line (JR Yumesaki Line) (from 2005 to 2019)

• Osaka Higashi Line (from 2008 to 11 March 2022) File:Jnr 201skyblue.jpg|201 series on a JR Kyoto Line service in August 2004 File:Sakurajima line Series201.jpg|Osaka Loop Line 201 series refurbished train in September 2017 File:Series 201 ND602 in Shin-Imamiya Station.jpg|Yamatoji Line 201 series refurbished train in March 2016 File:JRW-Series201R Inside.jpg|Refurbished interior in December 2021 File:JRW Series201R Inside Priority-seat.jpg|Refurbished priority seats view in December 2021

JR East

• Chūō Rapid Line (10 cars) (from 1979 to October 2010)
• Chūō-Sōbu Line (10 cars) (from 1982 to 2001)
• Ōme Line (4 cars) (from 1999 to 2008)
• Itsukaichi Line (6 cars) (from 1999 to 2008)
• Hachikō Line (6+4 cars) (Hachiōji – Komagawa, until March 2008)
• Keiyō Line, Sotobō Line, Tōgane Line (10 cars) (from 2000 to 20 June 2011)
• Musashino Line (6 cars) (from 3 March 1986 to November 1996) File:JR EAST 201(Chuo Rapid Service).jpg|A Chuo/Ōme Line 201 series in June 2006 File:JRE-201-EMU-KeiyouLine.jpg|A Keiyo Line 201 series in February 2007 File:JRE-201-EMU-SoubuLine.jpg|A Chūō-Sōbu Line 201 series in December 1998 File:Inside of JNR 201.jpg|Interior view in October 2007

''Shikisai'' train

A 4-car 201 series set (W1) was modified in 2001 by JR East to become the special Shikisai tourist train, entering service on the Ōme Line from 4 August 2001. This train featured panorama windows and transverse seating bays on one side of the train only. It was repainted into a new livery in June 2005. The train was withdrawn from regular service at the end of June 2009, with a number of special finale runs scheduled for July.

File:JNR201 Shikisai Nambu 0404294.jpg|Shikisai train in original livery in May 2004 File:201 Shikisai Takao 20070623.JPG|Shikisai train in revised livery (and windows) in June 2007 File:JR-E type 201,"Shikisai" interior (3038631388).jpg|Interior view in November 2008

Preserved examples

• KuHa 201-1: Formerly preserved at Toyoda Depot. Currently, in Ome Railway Park.

File:JRE Tc 201-1 Toyoda depot 2014 1108.jpg|KuHa 201-1 at Toyoda Depot in 2014

Accidents

On the evening of 12 October 1997, A 6-car Chuo Line 201 series trainset collided with a 12-car Super Azusa E351 series train which was passing through the Otsuki Station with a 2-minute delay at a running speed of 105 km/h, while on the right side which is a damaged 201 series trainset which collided at a speed of 25 km/h, the Super Azusa train derailed which has been led to decoupling of 4 cars (Car No. 5 to 9), while the last which had been rolled over to the ground. The accident resulted in 78 injuries but no recorded deaths. The main cause of this accident was about the shunting or decoupling of the two 201 series trainsets which was composed of 4 cars for Ome Line & 6 cars for Chuo Line Rapid, the 4-car set remained in Otsuki, while the 6-car set was leaving from the station for turnover, but there was a delayed Super Azusa train which was coming behind to the main line, resulting in collision.

After this incident, the management of JR East decided to abolish the shunting work that is required the existing ATS to be turned off, and they completely repaired the damaged trainset to let them back from service.

References

References

1. (February 2005). "201系四半世紀の歩み". [[Japan Railfan Magazine]].
2. (2025-03-19). "". link. Neko Publishing
3. (12 March 2022). "おおさか東線で221系の運用開始". Koyusha Co., Ltd..
4. JR East news release: [http://www.jreast.co.jp/hachioji/info/20100617/20100617_info01.pdf "「さよなら中央線201系」キャンペーン＜第2弾＞を開催します" (25 February 2010)]. Retrieved 17 June 2010. {{in lang. ja
5. link. (21 June 2011). Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.
6. JRR. (June 2009)
7. [[Japan Railfan Magazine]]: [http://railf.jp/news/2009/06/29/185400.html "201系「四季彩」，青梅線定期運用を終了" (28 June 2009)] {{webarchive. link. (30 June 2009 . Retrieved on 28 June 2009. {{in lang). ja
8. (8 December 2021). "12月18日開催 JR東日本八王子支社「豊田車両センター201系展示撮影会」の参加者募集". Koyusha Co., Ltd..
9. (1997-10-14). "怒り抑え代替バスへ 朝の足奪われ混乱 大月の列車衝突事故". 朝日新聞・朝刊・山梨.
10. (2007). "鉄道・航空機事故全史". [[日外アソシエーツ]].