JR West 221 Series refurbishment

[miyakoji]

This is not new, but JR West is renewal-ing the 221s.

 

There were two Tetsudou Fan news items in late December:

http://railf.jp/news/2012/12/27/160000.html

http://railf.jp/news/2012/12/28/130000.html

 

And quashlo's post over on SSC:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=99041603&postcount=1098

 

And now a video of the first refurbed set in revenue operation, courtesy of YT uploader aomonoya:

 

 

This is a rapid service on the San'in Main Line aka Sagano Line, Kyoto to Sonobe. aomonoya even includes some nighttime front view footage. I think the scene at the end is in the small yard on the west side of Sonobe station.

[bronzeonion]

Interesting to see colour contrasting hand rails and hand straps, quite rare to see in Japan.

[miyakoji]

Interesting to see colour contrasting hand rails and hand straps, quite rare to see in Japan.

I think this is similar to or the same as the handrails and straps in the 225 series.

[Ochanomizu]

It has prompted me to find my photos of the older fit-out.  The yellow grab rails are not popular.  They seem to be appearing in areas frequented by tourists.