An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive , as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages. An EMU is usually formed of two or more semi-permanently coupled carriages, but electrically powered single-unit railcars are also generally classed as EMUs. The great majority of EMUs are passenger trains, but versions also exist for carrying mail.
22-525: The E259 series ( E259系 ) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan since October 2009 on Narita Express limited express services to and from Narita International Airport . The design of the trains was overseen by industrial designer Kenji Ekuan . Retracting gangway connections on the end cars allow two sets to be coupled together to form 12-car formations. Electrical and safety equipment
44-483: A motor-driving car or power-driving car. On third rail systems, the outer vehicles usually carry the pick up shoes with the motor vehicles receiving the current via intra-unit connections . Many modern two-car EMU sets are set up as twin or "married pair" units. While both units in a married pair are typically driving motors, the ancillary equipment (air compressor and tanks, batteries and charging equipment, traction power and control equipment, etc.) are shared between
66-411: Is 1,030 mm (41 in), compared to 980 mm (39 in) on earlier trains. Green (first class) cars have leather-covered forward-facing rotating/reclining seats also arranged in 2+2 configuration. Seat pitch is 1,160 mm (46 in). The first two sets, Ne001 and Ne002, were delivered to Kamakura Depot from Tokyu Car Corporation 's Yokohama factory on 23 April 2009, with test running on
88-833: Is duplicated, as on the E233 series commuter trains, to improve safety and reliability. Active suspension on end cars and yaw dampers between all cars provide improved ride comfort. The MoHa E259-500 car is equipped with two single-arm pantographs, but one is reserved for emergency use. Unlike the previous 253 series trains, the E259 series trains are not equipped with Automatic Train Control (ATC). The E259 series trains are used almost exclusively on Narita Express limited express services linking Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture with Tokyo and other stations in
110-417: Is simpler as no provision is needed for exhausting fumes, although retrofitting existing limited-clearance tunnels to accommodate the extra equipment needed to transmit electric power to the train can be difficult. Multiple unit train control was first used in the 1890s. The Liverpool Overhead Railway opened in 1893 with two-car electric multiple units, controllers in cabs at both ends directly controlling
132-779: The China Railway High-speed in China, ICE 3 in Germany, and the British Rail class 395 Javelin. The retired New York–Washington Metroliner service, first operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad and later by Amtrak , also featured high-speed electric multiple-unit cars, known as the Budd Metroliner . EMUs powered by fuel cells are under development. If successful, this would avoid
154-474: The Shiosai services, giving seven return workings daily. From the start of the revised timetable on 10 December 2005, 255 series 9-car EMUs were introduced on Shiosai services. From the same date, services were made entirely no-smoking. From the start of the 14 March 2015 timetable revision, all Shiosai services started and terminated at Tokyo Station, with no services operating from Shinjuku. From
176-500: The Sōbu Main Line commencing the same day. Nine E259 series sets entered revenue service on Narita Express services from 1 October 2009, with 10 out of 26 return workings daily operated by E259s. By June 2010, they had completely replaced the 253 series EMUs formerly used on Narita Express services. In March 2023, JR East announced that it would introduce a new design to existing E259 series sets. The updated livery will retain
198-699: The Sōbu Main Line , stopping at the stations listed below. All 7 round trips are operated daily except for one inbound trip which is not operated on Saturdays and holidays. No services operate as "Local" all-stations services in any section; this characteristic is different from that of Wakashio ltd.exp. Tokyo - Kinshichō - Chiba - Sakura - Yachimata - Narutō - Yokoshiba - Yōkaichiba - Asahi - Iioka - Chōshi Shiosai services are operated using Kamakura-based 6-car E259 series EMU and Makuhari-based 10-car E257-500 series EMU formations. The E257-500 series formations have no Green (first class) cars. Trains are formed as shown below, with car 1 at
220-592: The DT71 and TR255 bogies used on the E233 series EMUs. The end bogies of the Tc driving cars are designated TR262, and the inner bogies of the Tc driving cars are designated TR262A. All the bogies use tread brakes, and the trailer bogies additionally use disc brakes. Wheel diameter is 860 mm (33.9 in), and the distance between wheel centers is 2,100 mm (6 ft 11 in). The passenger compartment floor construction has been improved for reduced interior noise, and
242-732: The Greater Tokyo area. E259 series trains were also used occasionally on seasonal Marine Express Odoriko services between Tokyo and Izukyū-Shimoda . One set, Ne002, was assigned to these services, and carried a logo sticker on the front and sides. The fleet consists of 22 six-car sets, consisting of four motored (M) cars and two trailer (T) cars, as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end. The "Tsc" cars are green (first class) cars. Cars 3 and 5 are equipped with PS33D single-arm pantographs (two on car 5, one on car 3). The DT77 (motored) and TR262 (trailer) bolsterless bogies are developed from
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#1732779989221264-549: The Tokyo end. Trains were originally formed of 9-car 183 series EMUs, including one Green car, or 6-car sets with no Green car, but from December 1994, services were formed of 8-car 183 series sets with the Green car removed, as shown below. The Shiosai service was introduced from 10 March 1975 following the completion of electrification of the Sōbu Main Line in October 1974, using 9-car 183 series EMUs, replacing five of
286-580: The batteries are charged via the electric pickup when operating on electric mode. EMUs, when compared with electric locomotives , offer: Electric locomotives, when compared to EMUs, offer: Shiosai The Shiosai ( しおさい ) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It runs from Tokyo and Shinjuku to Chōshi on the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture . Shiosai services operate over
308-414: The black and red color pallet but will feature silver accents at the front as well as the phrase "SERIES E259" being plastered along the exterior. As of 17 March 2024, repainting for the entire E259 series fleet was completed with the last set, Ne022, having received the new livery. In December 2023, JR East announced that some E259 series sets will be used on most Shiosai limited express services from
330-485: The construction of electric traction railways and trolley systems worldwide. Each car of the train has its own traction motors: by means of motor control relays in each car energized by train-line wires from the front car all of the traction motors in the train are controlled in unison. The cars that form a complete EMU set can usually be separated by function into four types: power car, motor car, driving car, and trailer car. Each car can have more than one function, such as
352-716: The height difference between the coach and the platform has been reduced by 50 mm (2.0 in) compared with the earlier 253 series trains for ease of access. Luggage storage areas feature lockable straps for security, and security cameras are installed in vestibule and luggage areas. Luggage space is also provided beneath the seats. Electric power outlets are provided at each seat. Four ceiling-mounted passenger information display units are provided in each car. These feature two 17-inch screens on each side, displaying information in four languages (Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese). Ordinary-class cars have 2+2 abreast seating with forward-facing rotating/reclining seats. Seat pitch
374-416: The need for an overhead line or third rail . An example is Alstom ’s hydrogen -powered Coradia iLint . The term hydrail has been coined for hydrogen-powered rail vehicles. Many battery electric multiple units are in operation around the world, with the take up being strong. Many are bi-modal taking energy from onboard battery banks and line pickups such as overhead wires or third rail. In most cases
396-501: The outer end of the pair, saving space and expense over a cab at both ends of each car. Disadvantages include a loss of operational flexibility, as trains must be multiples of two cars, and a failure on a single car could force removing both it and its partner from service. Some of the more famous electric multiple units in the world are high-speed trains: the Italian Pendolino and Frecciarossa 1000 , Shinkansen in Japan,
418-523: The seven daily diesel-powered Inubō ( 犬吠 ) express services that operated between Shinjuku / Ryōgoku and Chōshi . From the start of the November 1982 timetable revision, further 183 series EMUs were drafted in, displaced from Toki limited express services following the opening of the Joetsu Shinkansen , and the remaining Inubō express services were discontinued and absorbed into
440-615: The start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2024, replacing the older 255 series EMUs used on these services. The manufacturers and delivery dates for the fleet are as shown below. Electric multiple unit EMUs are popular on commuter, and suburban rail networks around the world due to their fast acceleration and pollution-free operation, and are used on most rapid-transit systems. Being quieter than diesel multiple units (DMUs) and locomotive -hauled trains, EMUs can operate later at night and more frequently without disturbing nearby residents. In addition, tunnel design for EMU trains
462-568: The traction current to motors on both cars. The multiple unit traction control system was developed by Frank Sprague and first applied and tested on the South Side Elevated Railroad (now part of the Chicago 'L' ) in 1897. In 1895, derived from his company's invention and production of direct current elevator control systems, Frank Sprague invented a multiple unit controller for electric train operation. This accelerated
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#1732779989221484-426: The two cars in the set. Since neither car can operate without its "partner", such sets are permanently coupled and can only be split at maintenance facilities. Advantages of married pair units include weight and cost savings over single-unit cars (due to halving the ancillary equipment required per set) while allowing all cars to be powered, unlike a motor-trailer combination. Each car has only one control cab, located at
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