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MBS news report of the 50th anniversary of the start of special rapid service trains in the Kansai region. Sun TV report of same, plus information on A seat service, headmark:

Two 4-car formations of the 225 series 100 subseries left the Kinki factory on February 23rd for Aboshi Depot. The cab facade has the same appearance as the 227 series, the 3rd generation 521 series, and the upcoming 323 series, although the exterior displays above the gangway doors and windshields are full color (I think). I'm sure it's got various improvements, but I feel JRW peaked with the 223 http://railf.jp/news/2016/02/24/170000.html

JR West presses on with adding fall preventers to various models, namely 221, 223, and 225 series. I'd be interested to know how long it will take to fit the whole fleet. My impression is that it's slow going, but I'm not sure. 227 and later subseries 521s have them from the factory, presumably 323 series will too. December 8 news item about 221 series: http://railf.jp/news/2015/12/10/170000.html December 4 news item about 225 series: http://railf.jp/news/2015/12/05/204500.html July 31 news item about 223-0 series: http://railf.jp/news/2015/08/01/205000.html July 9 news item about 223-6000 series: http://railf.jp/news/2015/07/11/210000.html 223-2000 at Shin-Osaka: 221 out of service on its way back to Kansai from Shimonoseki: