781 series

In service1980–2007

Constructed1978–1980

Scrapped2006–2007

781 series
781 series on a Lilac service, November 2006
In service	1980–2007
Replaced	485-1000 series
Constructed	1978–1980
Scrapped	2006–2007
Number built	48 vehicles (12 sets)
Number in service	None
Number preserved	4 vehicles
Number scrapped	44 vehicles
Formation	4/6 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	L1–L7, L101–L104, L901
Operators	JNR (1980–1987) JR Hokkaido (1987–2007)
Depot	Sapporo
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Car length	21,250 mm (69 ft 9 in) (end cars) 20,500 mm (67 ft 3 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	2,949 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Height	3,945 mm (12 ft 11 in)
Doors	2 per side
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction system	Thyristor drive
Traction motors	MT54E
Electric system	20 kV AC (50 Hz)
Current collection	Overhead line
Bogies	DT38A (motored), T208A (trailer)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 781 series (781系) was an AC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type formerly operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) and later Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, between 1980 and 2007.^[1]

Ishikari (1980)
Lilac (1 October 1980 – 30 September 2007)
White Arrow (3 March 1986 – August 1990)
Suzuran (1 July 1992 – 30 September 2007)
Airport Rapid (1992 – 15 March 2002)

Formations

4-car sets (1986–2007)

Car No.	1	2	3	4
Designation	TAc'	M	TA	Mc
Numbering	KuHa 780	MoHa 781	SaHa 780	KuMoHa 781
Weight (t)	45.2-45.4	46.2	43.1	48.5-48.8
Capacity	60–64	68	64	56

Cars 1 and 3 were each fitted with one N-PS785 single-arm pantograph (from 2004 onward).^[2]

6-car sets (1980–1986)

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Designation	TAc'	M	TA	M	TA	Mc
Numbering	KuHa 780	MoHa 781	SaHa 780	MoHa 781	SaHa 780	KuMoHa 781

Cars 1, 3, and 5 were each fitted with one PS102B scissors-type pantograph.^[1]

6-car Doraemon Undersea Train set L7 (2003–2006)

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Designation	TAc'	M	TA	M	TA	Mc
Numbering	KuHa 780	MoHa 781	SaHa 780	MoHa 781	SaHa 780	KuMoHa 781
Colour	Blue	Light green	Yellow	Vermillion	Pink	Red

Cars 1, 3, and 5 were each fitted with one N-PS785 single-arm pantograph.^[2]

Interior

The 781 series trainsets did not include Green class (first class) accommodation, but from March to June 2001, improved "u-Seat" seating was added to half of car 4 for reserved seat passengers. All other cars were normally designated as non-reserved seating.^[1]

History

The 781 series electric multiple unit was designed specifically for limited express services on electrified lines in the Sapporo area of Hokkaido, to replace the 485-1500 series EMUs first introduced on Ishikari services in 1975, but which proved unreliable in the harsh winter conditions of Hokkaido.^[3]

A pre-production 6-car set, classified 781–900 series, was delivered in November 1978. The body was based on the JNR 485 series design, with a more rounded profile to prevent snow adhering, and the electrical systems were based on the earlier 711 series suburban EMU.^[3]

Seven full-production 6-car sets were delivered from 1980, with minor improvements including the abolishment of two opening windows on each side. The pre-production set was modified to bring it in line with full production standards in October 1981.^[1]^[3]

The eight 6-car sets were reformed into twelve 4-car sets to cope with increased service frequency from the November 1986 timetable revision. This entailed converting eight MoHa 781 and SaHa 780 cars into KuMoHa 781-100 and KuHa 780-100 cars respectively by adding new cab ends.^[1]

A second side door was added to the KuHa 780 and SaHa 780 cars between 1991 and 1993 to reduce station dwell times.^[1] The MoHa 781 cars of sets L1 to L7 only were similarly treated in 1993.^[2]

Trains were repainted from the original JNR livery into a new livery based on that of the Super Tokachi between February 1992 and March 1993.^[2]

Improved "u-Seat" reserved seating accommodation (rows 1 to 7) was added to half of car 4 between March and June 2001.^[2]

In 2003, sets L7 and L104 were reallocated to Hakodate depot and reformed to become 6-car set L7 for use on special Doraemon Undersea Train services between Hakodate and Yoshioka-Kaitei inside the undersea Seikan Tunnel from 19 July 2003. Each car was painted a different colour and decorated with Doraemon characters. This operated until August 2006.^[2] The set was subsequently scrapped together with the two stored cars from former set L104.

The remainder of the fleet was withdrawn in September 2007.

v t e Electric multiple units of Japanese National Railways
DC commuter/suburban	12 63 70 72 101 103 105 111 113 115 117 119 121 123 201 203 205 207 211 213 301
DC express/limited express	52 80 151 153 155 157 159 161 165 167 169 181 183 185 187 189 381
AC/DC commuter/suburban	401 403 411 413 415 417 419 421 423
AC/DC express/limited express	451 453 455 457 471 473 475 481 483 485 487 489 581 583
AC commuter/suburban	711 713 715 717
AC limited express	781
Non-revenue/experimental	141 143 145 147 191 193 443 495 591 791
This list shows all JNR EMUs, both active and withdrawn. Shinkansen types are omitted.

Formations

4-car sets (1986–2007)

6-car sets (1980–1986)

6-car Doraemon Undersea Train set L7 (2003–2006)

Interior

History

Preserved examples

References

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