227 series
Japanese electric multiple unit train type
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 227 series (227系, 227-kei) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) for use on suburban services in the Kansai and Chūgoku regions of Japan since 14 March 2015.[1][2][3]
| 227 series | |
|---|---|
227-0 series 3-car set A03 in November 2015 | |
| Manufacturers | Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo |
| Built at | Hyogo and Osaka |
| Replaced | 103 series, 105 series, 115 series, 117 series |
| Constructed | 2014–present |
| Entered service | 14 March 2015 |
| Formation | 2/3 cars per trainset |
| Operator |  JR West |
| Depots | Hiroshima, Hineno |
| Lines served | Sanyo Main Line, Kabe Line, Kure Line (227-0 series) Kisei Main Line, Sakurai Line, Wakayama Line (227-1000 series) Sanyo Main Line, Hakubi Line, Uno Line, Honshi–Bisan Line, Akō Line (227-500 series) |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel |
| Car length |
|
| Width | 2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in) |
| Height | 3,630 mm (11 ft 11 in) |
| Floor height | 1,120 mm (3 ft 8 in) |
| Doors | 3 pairs per side |
| Maximum speed |
|
| Traction system | Variable frequency |
| Power output | 270 kW (360 hp) × 2 per motored car |
| Acceleration | 2.5 km/(h⋅s) (1.6 mph/s) |
| Deceleration | 3.9 km/(h⋅s) (2.4 mph/s) |
| Electric systems | 1,500 V DC (overhead catenary) |
| Current collection | Pantograph |
| Safety systems | ATS-SW2 D-TAS (227-0 series) ATS-P3, CBTC and Dead man's switch (227-1000 series) |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
On 14 March 2015, the 227-0 series trains, branded "Red Wing", commenced operation in the Hiroshima area.[2] They are the first new train to be introduced to the Hiroshima area in 32 years.[4]
From 16 March 2019, the 227-1000 series began operating in the Kansai region on the Wakayama Line, Sakurai Line, and Kisei Main Line (Kinokuni Line), marking their introduction outside the Hiroshima area.[5]
Starting on 22 July 2023, 227-500 series trains, branded "Urara", were introduced in the greater Okayama and Fukuyama (Okayama/Bingo) areas.
Design
Trains have unpainted stainless steel bodies.[6] Each motored car has one motored bogie.[6] The first batch of trains, branded "Red Wing", have logos applied on the sides of the body and on the prominent anti-fall plates on the front ends, which inspired the name.[7]
Passenger saloons use LED lighting, and the trains are equipped with universal access toilets and wheelchair spaces.[2] They are also equipped with LED passenger information displays.[8]
The 227 series design is based on the earlier 225 series, also with lightweight stainless steel bodies.
Variants
- 227-0 series: 2- and 3-car sets for use on the Sanyō Main Line, Kabe Line, and Kure Line services, branded Red Wing
- 227-1000 series: 2-car sets for use on Wakayama Line services
- 227-500 series: 2- and 3-car sets for use on the Sanyō Main Line, Hakubi Line, Uno Line, Honshi–Bisan Line, and Akō Line services, branded Urara and Kizashi
227-0 series
| 227-0 series Red Wing | |
|---|---|
 A 227-0 series 3-car set in January 2018 | |
| In service | 14 March 2015 – present |
| Manufacturers | |
| Replaced | 115 series |
| Constructed | 2014–2019 |
| Number built |
|
| Formation | 2/3 cars per trainset |
| Fleet numbers |
|
| Capacity |
|
| Depot | Hiroshima |
| Lines served | |
The 227-0 series fleet consists of 276 vehicles (42 two-car sets and 64 three-car sets), which were delivered from autumn 2014 for test running and driver training before entering revenue service initially on the Sanyo Main Line between Shiraichi and Iwakuni, replacing ageing JNR-era 115 series EMUs.[1] The trains were also intended to displace 115 series EMUs on the Kure Line and Kabe Line.[2] The entire fleet was delivered by February 2019.[9]
On 6 March 2015, JR West announced that the 227 series trains will have the official nickname "Red Wing".[10]
The fleet entered revenue service from 14 March 2015. They were the first new trains to operate in the Hiroshima area since the 113-3000 series, which was introduced near the end of JNR; trains introduced since the 113-3000 series were inherited from the Kansai area.[11]: 21 The last sets of this sub-series delivered were 2-car sets S41 and S42 in February 2019. [12]
In January 2022, it was announced that the 227-0 series would undergo a trial for platform-side cameras. The cameras would be activated on the right side of the train relative to the direction of driving.[13]
Set A65 was formed in 2022 by combining two cars (KuMoHa 226-11 and MoHa 226-11) from three-car set A11 and one car (KuMoHa 227-33) from three-car set A33.[14]
Formations
The 227 series fleet consists of 42 two-car and 64 three-car sets, allowing formations of up to eight cars to be formed in service.[6]
3-car sets
The three-car sets are numbered A01 onward, and are formed as shown below with all three cars motored (one motored bogie per car).[15]
| Designation | Mc | M | M'c |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbering | KuMoHa 227-0 | MoHa 226-0 | KuMoHa 226-0 |
| Weight (t) | 40.2 | 37.1 | 40.5–40.6[a] |
| Capacity (total/seated) | 133/56 | 149/72 | 126/52 |
- The seating capacity figures above include 12 flip-down seats in the end cars and 16 in the intermediate cars.[15]
- The KuMoHa 227 car is fitted with a WPS28E single-arm pantograph.[15]
- The KuMoHa 226 car has a universal access toilet.[15]
KuMoHa 227-19
MoHa 226-19
KuMoHa 226-39
2-car sets
The two-car sets are numbered S01 onward, and are formed as shown below with both cars motored (one motored bogie per car).[15]
| Designation | Mc | M'c |
|---|---|---|
| Numbering | KuMoHa 227-0 | KuMoHa 226-0 |
| Weight (t) | 40.2 | 40.5–40.6[a] |
| Capacity (total/seated) | 133/56 | 126/52 |
Interior
Passenger accommodation consists of transverse seating with flip-over seat backs, and longitudinal bench seating at the ends of cars.[6] Flip-down seats are also provided next to the doorways.[15]
Transverse seating
Close-up view of transverse flip-over seating
Priority seating
The wheelchair space at the end of a KuMoHa 227 car
Toilet
LED passenger information display
Fleet details
3-car sets
| Set No. | Manufacturer | Date delivered[16] |
|---|---|---|
| A01 | Kinki Sharyo | 7 October 2014[17] |
| A02 | ||
| A03 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | 2 October 2014[17] |
| A04 | Kinki Sharyo | January 2015[18] |
| A05 | ||
| A06 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | January 2015[19] |
| A07 | Kinki Sharyo | February 2015[20] |
| A08 | ||
| A09 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | |
| A10 | Kinki Sharyo | March 2015 |
| A11[b] | ||
| A12 | ||
| A13 | May 2015 | |
| A14 | April 2015 | |
| A15 | ||
| A16 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | April 2015[21] |
| A17 | Kinki Sharyo | May 2015 |
| A18 | ||
| A19 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | May 2015 |
| A20 | Kinki Sharyo | June 2015 |
| A21 | ||
| A22 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | June 2015 |
| A23 | Kinki Sharyo | July 2015 |
| A24 | ||
| A25 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | August 2015 |
| A26 | Kinki Sharyo | August 2015 |
| A27 | ||
| A28 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | August 2015 |
| A29 | Kinki Sharyo | September 2015 |
| A30 | October 2015 | |
| A31 | November 2015 | |
| A32 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | November 2015 |
| A33[c] | December 2015 | |
| A34 | ||
| A35 | ||
| A36 | ||
| A37 | January 2016 | |
| A38 | ||
| A39 | ||
| A40 | ||
| A41 | February 2016 | |
| A42 | ||
| A43 | Kinki Sharyo | April 2018 |
| A44 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | April 2018[22] |
| A45 | Kinki Sharyo | May 2018 |
| A46 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | April 2018[22] |
| A47 | Kinki Sharyo | June 2018 |
| A48 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | April 2018[23] |
| A49 | Kinki Sharyo | August 2018 |
| A50 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | Around May 2018[24] |
| A51 | Kinki Sharyo | Around August 2018[25] |
| A52 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | June 2018[26] |
| A53 | Kinki Sharyo | September 2018 |
| A54 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | August 2018 |
| A55 | Kinki Sharyo | Around October 2018[27] |
| A56 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | December 2018[28] |
| A57 | Kinki Sharyo | November 2018[29] |
| A58 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | December 2018[28] |
| A59 | Kinki Sharyo | December 2018[30] |
| A60 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | October 2018[31] |
| A61 | Kinki Sharyo | Around January 2019[32] |
| A62 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | October 2018[31][33] |
| A63 | ||
| A64 | ||
| A65[d] | N/A | November 2023 |
2-car sets
| Set No. | Manufacturer | Date delivered |
|---|---|---|
| S01 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | January 2015[19] |
| S02 | February 2015[20] | |
| S03 | April 2015[21] | |
| S04 | ||
| S05 | ||
| S06 | ||
| S07 | ||
| S08 | ||
| S09 | ||
| S10 | ||
| S11 | ||
| S12 | ||
| S13 | ||
| S14 | ||
| S15 | ||
| S16 | ||
| S17 | ||
| S18 | ||
| S19 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | April 2018[22] |
| S20 | ||
| S21 | ||
| S22 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | April 2018[23] |
| S23 | ||
| S24 | ||
| S25 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | April 2018[23] |
| S26 | ||
| S27 | ||
| S28 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | Around May 2018[24] |
| S29 | Kinki Sharyo | Around August 2018[25] |
| S30 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | June 2018[26] |
| S31 | ||
| S32 | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | December 2018[28] |
| S33 | Kinki Sharyo | Around October 2018[27] |
| S34 | ||
| S35 | Kinki Sharyo | November 2018[29] |
| S36 | November 2018[29] | |
| S37 | December 2018[30] | |
| S38 | December 2018[30] | |
| S39 | Around January 2019[32] | |
| S40 | Around January 2019[32] | |
| S41 | Around February 2019[34] | |
| S42 | Around February 2019[34] |
Special liveries
On 23 September 2024, set A12 returned to service in the "Green Mover Max" livery used by the Hiroden 5100 series tramcars for the collaboration with Hiroshima City and Hiroshima Electric Railway. It is scheduled to operate in this livery until the end of fiscal 2026.[35] In return, 5100 series set 5101 received the "Red Wing" livery used by the 227-0 series trains.[36]
227-1000 series
| 227-1000 series | |
|---|---|
 A 227-1000 series set in September 2023 | |
| In service | 16 March 2019 – present |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| Replaced | |
| Constructed | 2018–2019 |
| Number built | 56 vehicles (28 sets) |
| Formation | 2 cars per trainset |
| Fleet numbers |
|
| Depot | Hineno |
| Lines served | |
In March 2018, JR West announced plans to introduce a new version of 227 series trains to Sakurai and Wakayama Lines, as well as part of Kisei Main Line, from Spring 2019. The planned 56-car fleet (28 sets of 2-car units) was completed by the end of September 2019,[37] and would displace all 105 series and 117 series trains on the two lines by Spring 2020. Once the order is complete, the trains would have smart card readers on board, expanding ICOCA acceptance to all JR West service in Nara prefecture and on Wakayama Line.[5]
The fleet entered service from 16 March 2019.[38]
Formation
The sets are formed as follows.[8]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Designation | M'c | Mc |
| Numbering | KuMoHa 226-1000 | KuMoHa 227-1000 |
| Capacity (total) | 130 | 137 |
- The seating capacity figures above include longitudinal seats in each car.
- The KuMoHa 227 car is fitted with a WPS28E single-arm pantograph.
- The SD sets are equipped with a second de-icing pantograph.
- The KuMoHa 226 car has a universal access toilet.
Interior
Passenger accommodation consists of longitudinal bench seating throughout. As the 227-1000 series trains are equipped for wanman (ワンマン; "one man") operation, doorways are equipped with ticket machines.[8]
227-1000 series longitudinal seating, July 2019
Emergency escape ladder adjacent to door
Toilet
Ticket machines, July 2021
LCD fare chart, July 2021
Fleet details
| Set No. | Date delivered |
|---|---|
| SD01 | September 2018[39] |
| SD02 | |
| SD03 | November 2018[40] |
| SD04 | |
| SD05 | |
| SD06 | December 2018[41] |
| SD07 | |
| SD08 | |
| SR01 | January 2019[42] |
| SR02 | |
| SR03 | |
| SR04 | February 2019[43] |
| SR05 | |
| SR06 | March 2019[44] |
| SR07 | |
| SR08 | March 2019[45] |
| SR09 | |
| SR10 | |
| SR11 | July 2019[46] |
| SR12 | |
| SR13 | 2019[47] |
| SR14 | |
| SS01 | September 2019[48] |
| SS02 | |
| SS03 | |
| SS04 | September 2019[37] |
| SS05 | |
| SS06 |
227-500 series
| 227-500 series Urara Kizashi | |
|---|---|
 A 227-500 series set in February 2024 | |
| In service | 22 July 2023 – present |
| Manufacturers | |
| Constructed | 2023– |
| Number built |
|
| Fleet numbers |
|
| Lines served |
|
The 227-500 series was first announced by JR West in May 2022 for use on rail lines serving Okayama and Bingo, such as the San'yō Line.[9][49][50] Designated as 227-500 series, the first three sets were delivered from Kinki Sharyo in February 2023.[50] By September 2024, 25 three-car sets and 13 two-car sets had been delivered.[51] The series was given the brand name Urara (うらら) owing to a naming contest run by JR West.[52][50] The sets carry a pink livery, which is associated with cherry blossoms as well as the softer climate experienced along the lines in which these trainsets will be running.[9]
Kizashi variant
On 30 October 2025, JR West announced plans to introduce new 227 series trainsets for use on the San'yō Main Line section that serves the Yamaguchi region.[53] Six 3-car "V" sets and three 2-car "X" sets are to be built for use on services between Iwakuni and Shimonoseki.[54][55] These trains will be branded Kizashi (きざし) and are planned to enter revenue service in around mid-2026, replacing ageing 115 series sets.[55]
Operational history
The first of these sets entered revenue service on 22 July 2023 on the San'yō Line and the Hakubi Line.[56] As of October 2025, the Urara sets operate on the San'yō Line (Himeji – Mihara), the Hakubi Line (Kurashiki – Niizato), the Uno Line, the Seto-Ōhashi Line (Okayama – Kojima) and the Akō Line (Banshū-Akō – Higashi-Okayama).[57]
On 19 September 2025, JR West announced its plans to introduce the 227‑500 series fleet on Akō Line services between Banshū-Akō and Higashi-Okayama from 12 October, and extend its operational range on the Hakubi Line to Niizato from 15 October.[58]
In December 2025, JR West announced its plans to further extend the operational range of the 227‑500 series on the Hakubi Line to Hōki-Daisen and begin operating the subseries on San'in Main Line services between Hōki-Daisen and Nishi-Izumo from the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 2026.[57]
Exterior
2-car set R6 at Uno Station
"Urara" anti-fall plate and branding for JR West Okayama City Network
Branding on car ends for "Urara" and JR West Okayama City Network
![2-car set R6 at Uno Station](#/media/File:227-500_series_"Urara"_at_Uno_Station.jpg)
![Branding on car ends for "Urara" and JR West Okayama City Network](#/media/File:227-500_series_"Urara"_cars.jpg)
Interior
227-500 series transverse seating
Priority seating
Toilet
LED passenger information display
Fleet details
3-car sets
| Set No. | Manufacturer | Date delivered |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | Kawasaki Railcar Mfg. | May 2024[59] |
| L2 | ||
| L3 | Kinki Sharyo | November 2023[60] |
| L4 | ||
| L5 | December 2023[61] | |
| L6 | ||
| L7 | February 2024[62] | |
| L8 | ||
| L9 | February 2024[63] | |
| L10 | March 2024[64] | |
| L11 | ||
| L12 | March 2024[65] | |
| L13 | ||
| L14 | March 2024[66] | |
| L15 | ||
| L16 | Kawasaki Railcar Mfg. | June 2024[67] |
| L17 | ||
| L20 | 31 July 2024[68] | |
| L21 | ||
| L22 | August 2024[69] | |
| L23 | ||
| L24 | September 2024[51] | |
| L25 | ||
| L26 | Kinki Sharyo | March 2025[70] |
| L27 | March 2025[71] | |
| L28 | April 2025[72] | |
| L29 | ||
| L30 | May 2025[73] | |
| L31 | May 2025[74] | |
| L32 | ||
| L33 | June 2025[75] | |
| L34 | July 2025[76] | |
| L35 | ||
| L36 | August 2025[77] | |
| L37 | September 2025[78] | |
| L38 | ||
| L39 | September 2025[79] | |
| L40 | October 2025[80] | |
| L41 | ||
| V01 | February 2026[81] |
2-car sets
| Set No. | Manufacturer | Date delivered |
|---|---|---|
| H1 | Kinki Sharyo | December 2025[82] |
| H2 | January 2026[83] | |
| H3 | ||
| H4 | ||
| H5 | February 2026[84] | |
| H6 | ||
| H7 | February 2026[81] | |
| H8 | ||
| R1 | February 2023[50] | |
| R2 | ||
| R3 | ||
| R4 | 9 March 2023[85] | |
| R5 | ||
| R6 | 23 March 2023[86] | |
| R7 | ||
| R8 | ||
| R9 | Kawasaki Railcar Mfg. | December 2023[87] |
| R10 | Kinki Sharyo | November 2023[60] |
| R11 | December 2023[61] | |
| R12 | Kawasaki Railcar Mfg. | December 2023[87] |
| R13 | ||
| R14 | Kinki Sharyo | March 2025[70] |
| R15 | ||
| R16 | March 2025[71] | |
| R17 | ||
| R18 | April 2025[72] | |
| R19 | May 2025[73] | |
| R20 | ||
| R21 | May 2025[74] | |
| R22 | June 2025[75] | |
| R23 | ||
| R24 | July 2025[76] | |
| R25 | August 2025[77] | |
| R26 | ||
| R27 | September 2025[78] | |
| R28 | September 2025[79] | |
| R29 | ||
| R30 | October 2025[80] | |
| R31 | November 2025[88] | |
| R32 | ||
| R33 | ||
| R34 | December 2025[82] | |
| R35 |
- The H sets are equipped with a second de-icing pantograph.[83]
