789 series

''Lilac'' 789-0 series

789-0 series A total of 40 cars were built between 2002 and 2005 for use on new Super Hakuchō services introduced from 1 December 2002 between ( from December 2010) and via the undersea Seikan Tunnel coinciding with the opening of the Tōhoku Shinkansen extension to Hachinohe.

The trainsets were formed as four 2-car half sets, HE-101–104, and five 3-car half-sets, HE-201–205, which were coupled to produce 5- or 8-car formations.

From December 2005, new SaHa 789-100 trailer cars were added to the original 2-car sets HE-101–104, and a fifth set, HE-105 was delivered. Two additional 2-car sets, HE-301 and HE-302, were also delivered for extending trains to up to eight cars during period seasons.

Two new 3-car sets, HE-106 and HE-206, were delivered in April 2011.

In March 2016, Super Hakucho services were discontinued because the new Hokkaido Shinkansen services ran on the same route, this meant that the 789-0 services (along with the 785-300 series trains) operating on the Super Hakucho services were completely taken out of service.

From the start of the revised timetable on 4 March 2017, Lilac limited express services were reintroduced between Sapporo and Asahikawa using six-car 789-0 series EMUs previously used on Super Hakucho services until March 2016. These services complement the Kamui services using five-car 789-1000 series EMUs.

December 2002 – December 2005

Cars 2, 4, and 7 were each fitted with one N-PS789 single-arm pantograph.

December 2005 – March 2016

Cars 2, 5, and 7 are each fitted with one N-PS789 single-arm pantograph.

Interior

File:JRHokkaido Kuroha789-100 Green car inside.jpg|Green class saloon of KuRoHa 789-100 car, August 2011 File:JRHokkaido Moha788-100 inside.jpg|Interior of MoHa 788-100 car, August 2011 File:JRHokkaido Moha789-200 inside.jpg|Interior of MoHa 789-200 car, August 2011 File:Series789-inside-Green-car.jpg|Green class saloon of KuRoHa 789-100 car, May 2021 File:Series789-inside-half.jpg|Interior of KuRoHa 789-100 car, May 2021 File:Series789-inside.jpg|Interior of KuHa 789-200 car, May 2021

''Kamui'' and ''Suzuran'' 789-1000 series

789-1000 series

Seven 5-car 789-1000 series sets, HL-1001–1007, were delivered to Sapporo Depot between June and September 2007, and these entered service from 1 October 2007 on new Super Kamui (currently known as Kamui) limited express services between and , and on Airport rapid services between Sapporo and in conjunction with 785 series EMUs. These replaced the Lilac services formerly operated by 781 series EMUs.

The 789-1000 sets differ from the earlier Super Hakuchō and Kamui sets in not having gangway doors beneath the driving cabs.

Set HL-1005 was withdrawn in March 2011 following damage sustained in a level crossing collision on 29 January 2010.

These entered service from 1 November 2013 on new Suzuran limited express services between and .

From the start of the revised timetable on 4 March 2017, Super Kamui services were renamed simply Kamui, and are complemented by newly introduced Lilac limited express services, which uses six-car 789-0 series EMUs.

Formations

Car 3 is fitted with one N-PS785 single-arm pantograph.

Interior

The 789-1000 series trainsets do not include Green class (first class) accommodation, but car 4 is designated as a "u-Seat" car with improved seating for reserved seat passengers. All other cars are normally designated as non-reserved seating.

File:JRHokkiado789 interior design.JPG|Interior view, May 2008 File:New789 02.jpg|Interior view of "u-Seat" car, September 2007

References

References

1. Neko Publishing. (2009)
2. {{Cite magazine. (November 2002). Koyusha Co., Ltd.
3. Haraguchi. Takayuki. Sekai Bunka. (2009)
4. JRR. (February 2012)
5. JRR. (May 2012)
6. JRR. (May 2010)
7. JR Timetable, March 2010 issue