JR Central 371 series, former Asagiri - last run Nov 30

[miyakoji]

Looks like the JR Central 371 series has its last run coming up.  Used until March 2012 on the Asagiri service that interchanged with Odakyu, it was used on "Nakasendo Train" service, running between Nagoya and Narai on the Chuo Line, as well as charter services since autumn 2012.

 

This series consists of only 1 7-car train.  It was built in 1991, but appears to be in fine condition.  I'm not sure what to expect but I will be a bit shocked if it's actually scrapped.

 

btw, DAJF doesn't have this on Wikipedia yet

 

http://jr-central.co.jp/news/release/nws001541.html

http://rail-uploader.khz-net.com/index.php?id=30178

 

previous threads:

http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/8028-jr-central-narai-to-nagoya-on-the-nakasendo-train/

http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/3058-jr-series-371/

[railsquid]

1991? That's positively ancient by current standards, especially if it's a one-off.

[HantuBlauLOL]

wait, 1991?

[bikkuri bahn]

Hopefully they'll keep a couple for the railway museum. I believe there is room to grow the collection.

[miyakoji]

Yes, 1991.

 

Hopefully they'll keep a couple for the railway museum. I believe there is room to grow the collection.

:( I had a more active future in mind for this series, even if only 3 or 4 cars. :) Edited October 21, 2014 by miyakoji

[Mudkip Orange]

So when is Micro Ace going to release a "farewell to 371 series" special edition? They've already got the molds...

[Sacto1985]

Given the age of the trainset--some 23 years old--and the fact it was a unique design, no wonder why JR East plans to scrap the trainset unless it gets donated to a museum. 

[kvp]

Is this train a truely unique design or shares at least some common engineering parts with other trains? I'm talking about bogies, motors, traction equipment. It seems very unlikely that it's a completly on of a kind design with unique parts only, unless it was built as some kind of a prototype. Knowing the fate of most unique trains, i also think they'll just scrap it.

[Shinkansenrailfan]

This is pretty sad :(

 

The 371 series is the only Rare (Foil) card I got in the JR Train Simulator card game back in 2012 :(

[bikkuri bahn]

According to this news site, there are rumors that Fuji Kyuko Rlwy is interested in acquiring the 371 series trainset.

http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2014/11/08/024/

[Sacto1985]

According to this news site, there are rumors that Fuji Kyuko Rlwy is interested in acquiring the 371 series trainset.

http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2014/11/08/024/

 

If the loading gauge of the train allows it to travel to the Fujikyu Otsuki Line all the way to at least Fujisan Station, then this private railway operator might just buy the trainset for use during the summer months.

[miyakoji]

Fujikyu will indeed get the JR Central 371 series train, albeit in 3-car formation.  It will enter service sometime next year as the successor to the 2000 series Fujisan.  The photo in the link below was taken January 14, 1991 at Shizuoka Depot.

 

http://railf.jp/news/2014/12/16/110000.html

[Mudkip Orange]

And then a year later I'll buy the Railway Collection version of it.

[Sacto1985]

Fujikyu will indeed get the JR Central 371 series train, albeit in 3-car formation.  It will enter service sometime next year as the successor to the 2000 series Fujisan.  The photo in the link below was taken January 14, 1991 at Shizuoka Depot.

 

http://railf.jp/news/2014/12/16/110000.html

 

My guess: they will likely dispose of the two bi-level cars and keep the rest, with three cars normally running and two kept in reserve.

[miyakoji]

I thought they'd keep a bi-level between the end cars.  We shall see :).

[miyakoji]

Former JRC 371 (all 7 cars) in tow:

 

http://railf.jp/news/2015/03/30/173000.html

 

Rokugo to Shimada:

 

Mochimune to Yaizu, and at Araimachi with YO8630:

 

Arriving at Nagoya:

 

I thought this formation was already around the Nagoya area; they must have moved it east at some point.  I assume JRC will scrap 4 cars then haul the rest over (or around) the mountain to Otsuki.  Will that "Mt. FuJi Face" livery be applied before or after? :)

[Sacto1985]

I have this feeling they won't scrap any of the cars of this trainset. They're probably being sent to a place somewhere in the Nagoya area (maybe even Nippon Sharyo?) to be rebuilt as cars for the Fuji Kyuko Railway, with a few cars kept as spares.

[railsquid]

Per this report it's being sent to JR East's Nagano plant for conversion.

[katoftw]

From memory Fujikyuko's platforms are only long enough for 3 cars???

[JR 500系]

Do I recall the Odakyu RSE 20000 Asagiri was recently transferred to Fujikyu?

 

 

Why 2 Asagiris? Haha ~

[miyakoji]

For a moment I thought you wrote 'two onigiris'.  Takana, please.

[miyakoji]

Here's a picture of it in base white at the Fujikyu 2015 train festival (seems like everyone had their open days in the last week or so). Still got the X1 formation designation in the window. It'll be interesting to see how Fujikyu dresses it up.

 

http://railf.jp/news/2015/11/09/150000.html

[katoftw]

3 cars it is!

[ToniBabelony]

 It'll be interesting to see how Fujikyu dresses it up.

 

I have my suspicions...

 

[katoftw]

I'd agree.  They always look the same the units they use for express services.