Is the E233 the contemporary115 Series Train?

[serotta1972]

With my limited knowledge of Japanese Trains it seems that the 115 Series come in many sub types and also a wide  variety of liveries.  As far as contemporary trains - the E233 seem to have many sub types and liveries.  What train model has the most sub types and liveries?  I realize it is a fairly vague and broad question.  Thank you for your responses.

Edited October 20, 2015 by serotta1972

[JR 500系]

Yap... The E233s have really quite a fair bit of varieties and liveries:

 

 

E233-0 series, for the Chuo line

 

 

E233-1000 series, for the Keihin-Tohoku Line

 

 

E233-2000 series for the Chiyoda/ Joban Line

 

 

E233-3000 series for the Shonan-Shinjuku; Tokyo-Ueno type

 

 

E233-5000 series for Keiyo Line

 

 

E233-6000 series for the Yokohama Line

 

 

E233-7000 series for the Saikyo Line

 

 

E233-8000 series for the Nambu Line

 

Any other trains with more liveries?  :)

[ToniBabelony]

Whereas the 115 could be found all over Japan (in many different variations), the E233 is only found in JR East regions (mainly Kantō). I don't think there is a contemporary equivalent to the 115. The E233 is more of a contemporary 205 Series, as this is the series that is replacing the 205s all over the JR East regions.

[bikkuri bahn]

The E233 is more of a contemporary 205 Series

 

Or going back a little further, in terms of operational usage, the contemporary 103/113 series.

[SuRoNeFu 25-501]

It seems that E233 series would be better to be classified as a contemporary version of the following trains:

 

1. 205 series (in term of its lightweight stainless steel bodywork, as well as the change between the old and new models)

2. 115 series (since the 115 series trains are capable to operate at both cold and warm regions)

3. 103 series (both of them are produced in very large number - the total itself exceeds 1000 units)

4. 211 series (the availability of semi-cross seat and longitudinal seat variants in one class)

 

CMIIW

[Densha]

So far I know the E233 is a commuter/suburban EMU. Just like the 101, 103, 201, 205, E231 series, to name a few other JNR/JR commuter EMUs. The 115 series was built more for suburban/local/rapid train services, which also explains the lack of a fourth door in each car and the 'semi-cross seats' on the 115 series rather than the longitudinal seats you will find on commuter EMUs.

 

Longitudinal seats fit well in commuter EMUs because most people just ride on the train for a short time, so it does not really matter much whether you can or cannot sit down. Longitudinal seats are used to fit as many people inside the train as possible, which is really needed in Japan's crowded metropolises. The 115 series on the other hand often runs on rural local services, and considering that there are many local trains that can run quite long distances, they used a seating configuration that fits that type of train service better.

 

EMUs that can really be considered the 'contemporary' 115 series are the 211, E127, E129 and E721 series. These feature many elements that the 115 series does and were even largely built to replace the 115 series.

[kvp]

Actually i think the 12 series had all the features mentioned above and the 101/103/113/115/201/205/231/233 series are a logical continuation of this very long line.

 

(the 12 series was an early japanese emu type that had various door and seating layouts, motors/cab motors/trailers/cab trailers, even a few first/green class cars with 2 doors per side and were used in almost all roles between 1933 and 2002)

Edited October 20, 2015 by kvp

[SuRoNeFu 25-501]

EMUs that can really be considered the 'contemporary' 115 series are the 211, E127, E129 and E721 series. These feature many elements that the 115 series does and were even largely built to replace the 115 series.

E127 is actually built to replace only few amount of 115 series trains (13 sets for Niigata depot, 12 sets for Nagano depot), although it really does inherits some features that available on 115 series trains (suburban specifications, as well as cold region specifications).

 

211 series would be the ones that exactly considered as a contemporary version of 115 series, because it is really intended for replacing 115 series trains that based at Oyama Depot (as well as Tokaido Line 113 series trains)...

[serotta1972]

Thank you for the varied responses.  My basis for comparison were only the number of sub-types and liveries and there are definitely more factors that you all pointed out such as regions of service, configurations and also utilization.  I agree with Toni as there are no contemporary equivalent to the 115 in terms of its service in multi-regions and utilization.  I've grown to really like the 115 Series and its many liveries.  And in terms of the front/face design in contemporary trains - the 313 bears a lot of resemblance to the 115.  I have much to learn and barely scratching the surface with Japanese Trains and sorry if I'm very superficial at the moment.  But please keep the many facts and specific details coming.

Edited October 21, 2015 by serotta1972

[SuRoNeFu 25-501]

Thank you for the varied responses.  My basis for comparison were only the number of sub-types and liveries and there are definitely more factors that you all pointed out such as regions of service, configurations and also utilization.  I agree with Toni as there are no contemporary equivalent to the 115 in terms of its service in multi-regions and utilization.  I've grown to really like the 115 Series and its many liveries.  And in terms of the front/face design in contemporary trains - the 313 bears a lot of resemblance to the 115.  I have much to learn and barely scratching the surface with Japanese Trains and sorry if I'm very superficial at the moment.  But please keep the many facts and specific details coming.

Not a big problem (^^) everyone in this forum would be grateful for helping you on enhancing your knowledge on Japanese trains (^^)