E261 series


The E261 series is an electric multiple unit train type operated by East Japan Railway Company on Saphir Odoriko limited express services in Japan. It was designed to replace the older 251 series trains that were used on Super View Odoriko limited express services from 28 April 1990 until 13 March 2020.

Formation

The trains are formed as eight-car sets, with five motored and three trailer cars.

Interior

Car 1 is designated as "premium green car" with a 1+1 seating layout and cars 2 to 3 and 5 to 8 are designated as "green car" with compartment seating for the former and a regular 2+1 seating for the latter. Car 4 has a noodle bar with an open-style kitchen.

Technical specifications

The car bodies are made of aluminium, and the trains use three phase motors and VVVF inverters.

History

The trains are designed by Ken Okuyama Design, and are built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Hitachi. Six cars from Kawasaki Heavy Industries' Hyogo factory and ten cars from Hitachi in Kudamatsu were delivered in November 2019.
Set RS1 operated a trial run on November 21, 2019.
The trains entered service on March 14, 2020.