121 series


The 121 series is an electric multiple unit train type introduced in March 1987 by Japanese National Railways, and currently operated by Shikoku Railway Company on local services in Shikoku, Japan.

Design

The 121 series design is based on the earlier 105 series, with lightweight stainless steel bodies.
The motor bogies were the same DT33A bogies as used on the JNR-era 103 series EMUs, and the trailer cars used DT21T bogies recovered from withdrawn 101 series EMUs. The pantographs were also recovered from withdrawn 101 series EMUs.

Operations

The sets are based at Takamatsu Depot and operate on the Yosan Line and Dosan Line in 2-, 4-, or 6-car formations.

Formations

, the fleet consists of 18 two-car 121 series sets and one 7200 series formed of one motored "Mc" car and one non-powered "Tc" trailer car as shown below with the motored "Mc" cars at the Takamatsu end.

121 series

DesignationMcTc
NumberingKuMoHa 121KuHa 120
Weight 42.028.0
Capacity 118/62118/62

The "Mc" cars are each fitted with one S-PS58 lozenge-type pantograph.

7200 series

DesignationMcTc
NumberingKuMoHa 7200KuHa 7300
Weight 37.628.5
Capacity 132/52132/52

The "Mc" cars are each fitted with one S-PS58 lozenge-type pantograph.

Interiors

Seating is arranged as a mix of transverse seating bays and longitudinal bench seats. The sets are not equipped with toilets.

History

The 121 series sets were introduced on 23 March 1987, just nine days before JNR was privatized on 1 April, following which the 121 series fleet came under control of JR Shikoku. The sets were originally delivered with magenta "Red No. 20" bodyside stripes, but were repainted with JR Shikoku corporate light blue bodyside stripes during September and October 1987.
In 1992, the original pantographs were replaced with the same S-PS58 type pantographs also used on the JR Shikoku 7000 series EMUs to ensure adequate clearance through tunnels on newly electrified sections of the Yosan Line.
In 2011, two sets were modified for wanman driver only operation. These sets were repainted with their original JNR-style magenta bodyside stripes.

Refurbishment and conversion

From 2016, the entire fleet of 19 two-car trainsets is scheduled to undergo refurbishment, and at the same time reclassified "7200 series". Refurbishment includes replacement of the DC motors with 140 kW AC motors and VVVF control, new side windows, new "efWing" CFRP bogies, and a new livery based on the original style with a thin green line added to the magenta bodyside stripe. Internally, the refurbished trains have fixed four-person seating bays on one side with longitudinal bench seating on the other.
The first trainset to be treated, set 3, was outshopped from JR Shikoku's Tadotsu Works in February 2016, and entered service from 13 June 2016.

Fleet history

The individual build histories for the fleet are as follows.
Set No.ManufacturerDate delivered7200 series conversion date
001Hitachi17 November 198612 October 2018
002Kinki Sharyo20 November 198618 February 2019
003Kawasaki Heavy Industries13 December 198615 March 2016
004Kawasaki Heavy Industries13 December 19869 September 2016
005Kinki Sharyo27 December 198628 March 2017
006Kinki Sharyo27 December 198620 February 2018
007Kinki Sharyo27 December 19867 November 2017
008Tokyu Car27 January 19875 June 2017
009Tokyu Car27 January 198728 February 2017
010Tokyu Car27 January 198722 August 2018
011Tokyu Car27 January 198728 December 2017
012Hitachi13 January 19872 July 2018
013Hitachi27 January 198728 October 2016
014Hitachi27 January 19876 December 2016
015Kawasaki Heavy Industries16 January 198713 September 2017
016Kawasaki Heavy Industries16 January 198718 January 2017
017Kawasaki Heavy Industries16 January 198720 July 2017
018Kinki Sharyo20 January 198711 December 2018
019Kinki Sharyo20 January 198728 March 2018