223 series

Variants

223-0, 223-2500 series

The first model (223–0) was delivered earlier than expected, and saw introduction into service on 1 April 1994, on the Hanwa Line. On 4 September of the same year, 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 and 223–2500 series see 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.

In May 2018, set HE401 was refurbished, and began test running later on the same month. File:JRW series223-0x Hanwa KishujiRapid.jpg|223-0 series as it was when it first appeared, August 2004 File:Series223-102.jpg|223-0 series set HE411, July 2017 File:阪和線223系2500番台.jpg|State before attaching the safety fence set HE431, July 2019 File:Series223-2509.jpg|223-2500 series set HE425, July 2017 File:223-0 Renewal,front inHineno.jpg|The first refurbished set, HE401, November 2018

223-1000 series

This sub-series was manufactured in 1995, and were quickly pressed into service in the summer of the same year to curb dwindling passenger travel in the aftermath of the Great Hanshin earthquake, replacing older 221 series sets on Special Rapid services. 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 series is used on 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.

In Q1 2019, selected 223-1000 end cars on 4-car sets underwent modifications to introduce the "A-Seat", a reserved seat service currently found on select 12-car Special Rapid Service trains. On these cars, straight blue stripes run along the sides of the car and the center door is permanently sealed. Seating is in a 2 + 2 configuration and WiFi is equipped along with power outlets. File:Jrw223-1000.jpg|State before attaching the safety fence set W6, November 2007 File:Series-223-1000-V4 50th.jpg|With safety fence attached 4-car set V4, January 2021 File:Series223-V5R.jpg|223-1000 series refurbished 4-car set V5, April 2021 File:Kuha222-1007-2019-4-6.jpg|223-1000 series A-SEAT car, April 2019

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 series set V8 was refurbished in Q1 2025, then re-entered service a few months after. It features LED headlights and full colour LED screens at the front of the train. File:Jrw223-2000.jpg|State before attaching the safety fence set W30, November 2007 File:Series223-2000-V7.jpg|The prototype unit, 4-car set V7, 16 February 2021 File:Series-223-2000-J14-Local (2021-03-23).jpg|223-2000 series 6-car set J14, March 2021 File:Series223-2000-W25.jpg|223-2000 series 8-car set W25, January 2021 File: JRW-Series223-2000-V26-Rebirth (2025-06-14).jpg|Refurbished 223-2000 series set V26, 14 June 2025

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 bi-level (double deck) 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 which were delivered as 3 car sets but subsequently reduced to two car sets (plus the bi-level reserved seat car). File: Series223-5000-5007 Marine-liner-8.jpg |223-5000 series set P7, 18 July 2023 File:JRW series223-5000 & JRS series5000 connection.jpg|A 223–5000 series (right) coupled with a JR Shikoku 5000 series (left)

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. File:Fuchi2235500.jpg|223-5500 series set F16, October 2019

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. File:Series223-6000-CV26 with original formation sticker.jpg|223-6000 series set V26 leading an 8-car consist File:Mc223-6116.jpg|Driver's cab of a 223–6000 series

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 was used to test and develop new technology for use on future narrow-gauge trains. It was based at Suita Depot and began testing on the JR Kyoto Line and JR Kobe Line from August 2004, and was withdrawn on 31 March 2019. File:JRWest kumoya223-9001.JPG|KuMoYa 223–9001

Gallery

File:JR West 223 series EMU 006.JPG|WDT59 powered bogie File:JR West 223 series EMU 007.JPG|WTR243A trailer bogie

Operations

JR-West

223-0 series

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

223-1000/2000 series

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

223-2500 (Hineno depot) series

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

223-2500 (Kyoto depot) series

• Tōkaidō Main Line (Biwako Line) ( - )
• Kosei Line ( - )
• Sanin Main Line (Sagano Line) ( - )

223-5000 series

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

223-5500 series

• Fukuchiyama Line ( - )
• Sanin Main Line (Sagano Line) ( - )
• 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 ( - , sometimes substituted for 103 and 221 series)
• Akō Line (Aioi - Banshū-Akō)

223-6000 (Miyahara depot) series

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

223-6000 (Kyoto depot) series

• Tōkaidō Main Line (Biwako Line) (Kyoto - Yamashina)
• Kosei Line (Yamashina - Nagahara)
• Sanin Main Line (Sagano Line) (Kyoto - )

JR Shikoku

223-5000 series

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

Formations

223-0, 223-2500 series

4-car sets (HE prefix)

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

223-1000 series

8-car sets (W prefix)

4-car sets (V prefix)

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

223-2000 series

8-car sets (W prefix)

6-car sets (J prefix)

4-car sets (V prefix)

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

223-5000 series

2-car sets (P prefix)

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

223-5500 series

2-car sets (F prefix)

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 (CV prefix)

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

4-car Miyahara depot sets (MA prefix)

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

4-car ''Kyoto depot'' sets (R prefix)

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

223-9000 series (U@tech)

The KuMoYa 223 end car was fitted with one single-arm pantograph.

Interior

File:JRW-223-1000EC-Seat.JPG|Interior view of 223–1000 series File:JR-West S.rapid A-SEAT 20190324.png|Interior view of 223–1000 series A-SEAT car File:JR West 223 series EMU 002.JPG|Interior view of 223–2000 series File:JRW series223-2500(3) inside.jpg|Interior view of 223–2500 series File:JR West 223 series EMU 003.JPG|2-abreast flip-over seats File:Fukuchiyama 223-5500 interia Longseat.JPG|223-5500 series longitudinal seating File:JR West 223 series EMU 001.JPG|223-2000 series universal access toilet File:Fukuchiyama 223-5500 driversroom.JPG|Driver's cab end of 223–5500 series showing LED fare board for wanman driver-only operation JR West 223-2000 passenger information display 202020707.jpg|223-2000 series original passenger information display File:JRW Series 223 set V13 interior display 01.jpg|223-2000 series LCD display for passenger information File:JRW Series 223 set V13 interior display 02.jpg|223-2000 series LCD display for digital signage

References

References

1. (1 April 2021). "JR西日本の保有車両一覧".
2. 石堂, 皓正. (17 May 2018). "【JR西】223系HE401編成 体質改善される".
3. (December 1995). "「RAILWAY TOPICS JR西日本223系「新快速」の活躍と今後の動向」". 鉄道ジャーナル社.
4. 寺本, 光照. (2005). "関西新快速物語". JTB Publishing.
5. (24 October 2018). "2019年春 新快速に有料座席サービス「Aシート」を導入します".
6. "Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō" magazine, September 2008 issue, p.71
7. (September 2008). "ROLLING STOCK & MACHINERY". Japan Railway Rolling Stock & Machinery Technology Association.
8. "Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō" magazine, June 2019