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JR West is converting 683-2000 series trains to DC-only and calling them 289 series. It's not clear based on the two links below whether the AC capability was just locked out, or if hardware was removed. These are surplus to requirements after the March timetable revision, which must have been fairly dramatic as the 289 series will apparently be 85 cars total when everything is converted. JRW got only 27 cars from Hokuetsu if I understand it correctly, so it's not just because of that. These will replace all 381 series at Suita and Fukuchiyama depots, and be used on Hashidate, Kinosaki, Kounotori, and Kuroshio services. http://railf.jp/news/2015/05/28/160000.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/289_series http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2015/04/28/381/ Red stripe a la 287 series, and new number plate: