Chuo line 115 series

[bronzeonion]

Hello,

 

Does anybody here know when the 115 series on the Chuo line will be replaced completely with the 211 series from the Tokaido line?

 

Thanks

[Densha]

Not that it helps you, but the longer it takes the better! ;)

I have no idea which subseries of the 115 series are used on the Chuo line, but wikipedia says that the 115 series are build between 1963 and 1983. So they are at least 30 years old.

Edited January 3, 2013 by Densha

[Sacto1985]

If they're being run on futsu (all-stops) local service, they may not leave for a while. Unlike Shinkansen trainsets, the relatively low top speed of the 115 Series (110 km/h or 68 mph) means structurally, if properly rebuilt they could last a long, long time. That's why JR West runs a large fleet of them in commuter service in the Chūgoku region (essentially Okayama westward to Shimonoseki); they might even outlast the 221/223 Series trainsets used in JR West's Urban Network service!

[Ochanomizu]

I do not know any date for replacement.

 

115系 is very popular with railfan and collector but this will not stop replacement. The function of the train is not a problem. JREast and JRCentral are reducing the maintenance costs associated with supporting so many types of train.

 

Replacement has already commenced with many 211系 being moved to Nagano. Since September 211系 have been moved to Nagano for refurbishment. You can see 211系 C15 being hauled through Kofu here in September: http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/tsunehirochisatosakiko/9881922.html

 

You can see 211系 C2 being hauled just west of Kofu at the end of October here: http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/tsunehirochisatosakiko/10110565.html

 

There are many other such examples if you use Google: "211系が甲府駅に"

Edited January 7, 2013 by Ochanomizu

[bronzeonion]

Thanks for the information guys, looking forward to taking a last ride on them whilst over there in March/April time. They are the closest relatives to the 113 series which I have sort of grown up with over them every time I went to visit family in Chiba prefecture every 1 or 2 years and took my last ride on them last August, I missed the proper last run in September as we were busy doing other stuff.

[Sacto1985]

Ochanomizu-san,

 

I think the 115's being retired from JR East and JR Central will probably be sent west to JR West, who still has a large fleet of them in commuter service as I mentioned above. A few will probably be sent to the Shinano Railway to replace the 169's that are soon being retired from that railroad.

[bronzeonion]

Ochanomizu-san,

 

I think the 115's being retired from JR East and JR Central will probably be sent west to JR West, who still has a large fleet of them in commuter service as I mentioned above. A few will probably be sent to the Shinano Railway to replace the 169's that are soon being retired from that railroad.

 

Makes sense, I'm guessing the 113's that were retired last year from the Sobu line did not get reused because they are not quite as versatile as the 115 series.

[E6系]

I have no idea which subseries of the 115 series are used on the Chuo line, but wikipedia says that the 115 series are build between 1963 and 1983. So they are at least 30 years old.

 

On the Chuo Main Line:

 

1965-1975: 115-0 car was running.  This car had no air conditioning.  It was born from the 113 series.  To designate the different series the front of the 115 series was painted in a square U shape to contrast the 113 series which is painted as a V.  The V shape paint scheme is known as Suka color.  The U shape is known as Suka Mountain color.  Please note the difference.  Seating was box seat form rather than the side facing bench seat of the 113.  Car #3 added the toilet.  Bogies, springs, and brakes are different to 113 series.

 

1975-1990: 115-0 car were gradually upgraded to include air conditioning.  This was a gradual process.  The cars were also modified for small tunnels near Takao.  They are known as low-roof cars.  The cars were designated the 115-800 series.  The septic system was added to the toilet.  I have memories of riding on both types.  Bad luck saw me riding too many 115-0 without air conditioning in the heat of summer.

 

1990- : 115-300 and 115-1000 series cars were widely used on the Chuo line.  Some 115-300 cars are currently used for limited services.  115-2000 used on the Minobu branch line from Kofu.  But these cars cannot travel the Chuo Line to Takao because of small tunnels.  115-300 is not low roof design.  Instead, a new pantograph was developed to fold lower in the tunnels.  So low roof is unique to 115-0 and 115-800 series.

 

This is the 8-car set typical layout for Chuo Line 115 series:

 

← Shinjuku  Nagano →

クモハ115 KUMOHA 115 モハ114 Moha 114 クハ115 Kuha 115 サハ115 Saha 115 サハ115 Saha 115 クモハ115 KUMOHA 115 モハ114 Moha 114 クハ115 Kuha 115 Mc Mc M' M ' Tc Tc T T T' T ' Mc Mc M' M ' Tc Tc

 

I hope you find this helpful.

[E6系]

You are lucky: Kato will release the correct product for the 115-800 series Chuo Main Line, in April: 10-1118 + 10-1119.  Please check your 2013 Kato catalog.

[Ochanomizu]

There is a Chuo Line blog here in Japanese: http://chuoutouline.blog24.fc2.com/blog-entry-394.html

 

 E6系 only mentioned the Suka's running from Shinjuku.  From Nagano the current series is 115-1000 and 169-1000.  In the past, these have been modeled by Kato and Tomix in N-scale. 

 

Product codes 169: 92085, 92086, 92444, 92445,

Product codes 115: 10-585, 92416, 92830