E501 series


The E501 series is an AC/DC dual-voltage electric multiple unit train type operated on local services by East Japan Railway Company in Japan since December 1995.

Design

Built jointly by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Tokyu Car, the design is derived from the 209 series commuter EMU, and were initially operated as 10+5-car formations on Joban Line services out of in Tokyo, but were modified with the addition of toilets and transferred to Joban Line and Mito Line local services in the Mito area from March 2007.
E501 series used to have Siemens GTO-VVVF when delivered that were similar to pre-refurbished Keikyu 2100 series. Currently, all trains had retrofitted with Toshiba IGBT-VVVF.

Formations

As of 1 April 2014, the fleet consists of four 10-car sets, numbered K701 to K704, and four 5-car sets, numbered K751 to K754. All are based at Katsuta Depot, and are formed as shown below with car 1 at the southern end.

10-car sets (K701 - K704)

The four 10-car sets are formed as shown below, with four motored cars and six unpowered trailer cars.
Car No.12345678910
DesignationTcM2M1TTT'M2M1TT'c
NumberingKuHa E500-1000MoHa E500MoHa E501SaHa E501SaHa E501SaHa E500MoHa E500MoHa E501SaHa E501KuHa E501

The four 5-car sets are formed as shown below, with two motored cars and three unpowered trailer cars.
Car No.12345
DesignationTcM2M1TT'c
NumberingKuHa E500MoHa E500MoHa E501SaHa E501KuHa E501-1000

History

The first 10+5-car train was originally scheduled to be delivered in time for entry into service from the March 1995 timetable revision, but deliveries from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe were delayed until May due to the effects of the Great Hanshin earthquake in January of that year. The first trains ultimately entered revenue service from the start of the 1 December 1995 timetable revision.
Between September and October 2006, modifications were made to the side windows to allow some windows to be opened. From October 2006, the fleet underwent modifications to add toilets, and from the start of the 18 March 2007 timetable revision, the E501 series trains were displaced from Joban Line services out of Ueno by E531 series sets, and were transferred to local services on the Joban Line north of and on the Mito Line. Between 2011 and 2012, the fleet underwent a life-extension refurbishment programme, which involved replacing electrical and brake equipment.

Build details

The build details for the fleet are as shown below.
Set No.ManufacturerDeliveredToilet addedRefurbished
K701Kawasaki Heavy Industries23 May 199521 February 200720 January 2012
K702Kawasaki Heavy Industries20 February 199726 October 20065 November 2012
K703Kawasaki Heavy Industries6 March 199720 November 200627 March 2012
K704Tokyu Car18 March 19973 October 200626 January 2011
K751Tokyu Car28 March 199531 January 200721 August 2011
K752Kawasaki Heavy Industries21 February 19979 November 200621 May 2011
K753Kawasaki Heavy Industries7 March 19976 December 200625 April 2011
K754Tokyu Car19 March 199722 January 20071 September 2011