JR Kyushu 305 series EMU

[miyakoji]

JR Kyushu has announced a new EMU, it will replace the 103s still used in and around Fukuoka.  The 305 series will be used on interlining services operated with the Fukuoka Muncipal Subway on the Airport Line.  Six 6-car sets will enter service in February and March 2015.  Each set has a rated capacity of 851 people; 291 seated and 560 standing.

 

JR Kyushu has a lot of nice designs, this looks a lot like the existing 817 series, a classy commuter design.  Artists rendering on the second page of the pdf:

http://www13.jrkyushu.co.jp/newsreleaseweb.nsf/9dd28b8cb8f46cee49256a7d0030d2e6/c90d2fe29aa67f5e49257d260039d6cf/$FILE/%E5%B9%B3%E6%88%9027%E5%B9%B4%E5%88%9D%E3%80%81%E7%AD%91%E8%82%A5%E7%B7%9A%E3%81%AB%E3%83%90%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2%E3%83%95%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%BB%E5%BF%AB%E9%81%A9%E6%80%A7%E3%83%BB%E7%92%B0%E5%A2%83%E6%80%A7%E8%83%BD%E3%82%92%E8%BF%BD%E6%B1%82%E3%81%97%E3%81%9F%E6%96%B0%E5%9E%8B%E8%BB%8A%E4%B8%A1%E3%82%92%E6%8A%95%E5%85%A5%E3%81%97%E3%81%BE%E3%81%99.pdf

[katoftw]

I like.

[Guest ___]

Looks like EVERY other JR-K emu these days. Thankfully, I like the JR-K design choices for EMUs so I can't complain.

[ToniBabelony]

Hmmmm~ More smooth fronts. I like this. :3

[kvp]

Nice and simple, like a 201 series. I like it!  :)  Seems like both JR Kyushu and JR Central (see: 313 and 373 series) has a good taste in their commuter emu designs. I just wonder with all these flat black fronts, won't there be visibility problems at road crossings? (i'm comparing it to the british practice of large yellow fronts)

 

The series already has a wikipedia page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/305_series

[Guest ___]

I'm not quite sure why JR-K goes with the black fronts. I have to admit that when I was in Miyazaki back in 08, I had no trouble seeing them on approach while working the at-grades with the camera. However, I will admit, I've misjudged CSX trains here with their big yellow noses (now orange on the YN3 livery) on a few occasions. Then again, I never understood why a white airliner in a light blue sky looks black from the ground.

[disturbman]

Lovely. Definitely a time-less design.

[Densha]

Then again, I never understood why a white airliner in a light blue sky looks black from the ground.

Shadow. The sun comes from the sky, not from the earth. :P

 

Concerning the flatness of the front, I've been wondering for a long time why Japanese trains don't feature any impact areas compared to the enormous ones European trains do.

[Guest keio6000]

Sorry,maybe i've been out of the loop, but this is an "all glass' front, no?  isn't that new?  Like one giant iPad.

 

The interior headrests are an interesting idea - i wonder how practical though

 

also, the circular hangar strap holder is.. novel?

[miyakoji]

Possibly easier than dealing with that pdf: http://railf.jp/news/2014/08/01/200500.html

[Guest ___]

Shadow. The sun comes from the sky, not from the earth. :P

 

Concerning the flatness of the front, I've been wondering for a long time why Japanese trains don't feature any impact areas compared to the enormous ones European trains do.

 

I know that, was being facetious :P

[Sacto1985]

The new trainset reminds me of the JR Kyushu 813 and 817 Series EMU's that run on the Fukuhoku Yutaka Line commuter operations between Hakata and Kurosaki Stations.

[miyakoji]

First picture of the real thing, at Shimonoseki on its way from Kudamatsu to Kokura: http://railf.jp/news/2014/11/25/150000.html

[ToniBabelony]

Darnit, that train looks goooood!

[katoftw]

6 car units. First time in a long time Kyushus commuter trains haven't been 2 or 3 car units. They'll probably put a older 3 car 813 series on the back in peak hour.

[ToniBabelony]

6 car units. First time in a long time Kyushus commuter trains haven't been 2 or 3 car units. They'll probably put a older 3 car 813 series on the back in peak hour.

 

Actually, this is a DC unit (as '3XX' implies in the 305 series number) and not an AC unit (as the '8XX' implies in the 813 series number), so it's not simply replacing those with this train.

 

AFAIK, the Chikuhi line is the only DC line JR Kyūshū operates and has always operated with 6-car length and 4-door car trains. The only 3-car trains to serve this line are the 103-1500 Series, which are permanently coupled as 6-car units. The 305 Series will replace the ageing 103-1500 Series.

Edited November 26, 2014 by Toni Babelony

[katoftw]

Thanks for the info. I did not know those little facts.

[miyakoji]

305 series tested on Fukuoka Subway Airport Line.  Revenue service is to begin February 5.

 

http://railf.jp/news/2015/01/22/130000.html