{{short description|Japanese train type}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox train | name = 251 series | image = Series251.jpg | imagesize = 300px | caption = A 251 series train on a Tōkaidō Main Line ''Super View Odoriko'' service in June 2017 | service = April 1990–March 2020 | manufacturer = [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company|Kawasaki Heavy Industries]] and [[Kinki Sharyo]] | factory = | family = | replaced = | successor = [[E261 series]] | yearconstruction = | yearservice = 28 April 1990 | refurbishment = 2002–2004 | yearscrapped = 2020 | numberconstruction = | numberbuilt = 40 vehicles (4 sets) | numberservice = None | numberpreserved = None | numberscrapped = 40 vehicles (4 sets) | formation = 10 cars per trainset | fleetnumbers = RE1–4 | capacity = | operator = [[JR East]] | depots = Ōmiya | lines = [[Tokaido Main Line]] | carbody = Steel | carlength = {{Convert|20000|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} | width = {{Convert|2950|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = | floorheight = | doors = [[Plug door]]s: 1 per side | maxspeed = {{Convert|120|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} | weight = | acceleration = | deceleration = | traction = [[Resistor|Resistor control]] + field system superimposed field excitation control | poweroutput = | transmission = | aux = | powersupply = | hvac = | electricsystem = 1,500 V DC overhead catenary | collectionmethod = PS27 scissors type [[pantograph (transport)|pantograph]] | bogies = | brakes = | safety = [[Automatic Train Stop|ATS-SN]], ATS-P | coupling = | multipleworking = | gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}} }}
The '''251 series''' ({{langx|ja|251系}}) was a [[Direct current|DC]] [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) train type operated by [[East Japan Railway Company]] (JR East) on [[Tokaido Main Line]] ''[[Odoriko|Super View Odoriko]]'' [[limited express]] services in Japan between April 1990<ref name="neko2009">{{cite book |script-title=ja: JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 |trans-title=JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009| publisher = Neko Publishing| year = 2009| location = Japan| isbn = 978-4-7770-0836-0|title=Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009}}</ref> and March 2020.
==Operations== The 251 series sets were primarily used on ''[[Odoriko|Super View Odoriko]]'' limited express services from {{STN|Tokyo|x}}, {{STN|Ikebukuro|x}}, and {{STN|Shinjuku|x}} to {{STN|Izukyu Shimoda|x}}.<ref name="jrr2011"/>
Since the 13 March 2004 timetable revision, 251 series sets were also used on the weekday morning ''[[Shōnan Liner|Ohayō Liner Shinjuku 26]]'' and weekday evening ''[[Shōnan Liner|Home Liner Odawara 23]]'' services.<ref name="jrr2011"/>
==Formation== The four sets, numbered RE1 to RE4 and based at Ōmiya Depot in Tokyo, were formed as follows, with car 1 at the Izukyū-Shimoda end, and car 10 at the Tokyo and Shinjuku end.<ref name="jrr2011">{{cite book |script-title=ja: JR電車編成表 2011夏 |trans-title=JR EMU Formations - Summer 2011| publisher = Kotsu Shimbunsha| date = May 2010| location = Japan| page = 79| isbn = 978-4-330-21211-1}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Car No. !!style="background: #E6FFE6"| 1 !!style="background: #E6FFE6"| 2 !! 3 !! 4 !! 5 !! 6 !! 7 !! 8 !! 9 !! 10 |- ! Designation | style="background: #F5FFF5"| Tscd' || style="background: #F5FFF5"| Tsd || M' || M1 || M'1 || M || M' || M || T || Tcd |- ! Numbering | style="background: #F5FFF5"| KuRo 250 || style="background: #F5FFF5"| SaRo 251 || MoHa 250 || MoHa 251-100 || MoHa 250-100 || MoHa 251 || MoHa 250 || MoHa 251 || SaHa 251 || KuHa 251 |}
Cars 4, 6, and 8 were each fitted with one PS27 scissors type [[pantograph (rail)|pantograph]].<ref name="jrr2011"/>
<gallery> File:JREast251-Kuro250.JPG|KuRo 250 (car 1) File:JREast251-Saro251.JPG|SaRo 251 (car 2) File:JREast251-Moha250.JPG|MoHa 250 (car 3) File:JREast251-Moha250-100.jpg|MoHa 250-100 (car 5) File:JREast251-Moha251.jpg|MoHa 251 (car 8) File:JREast251-Saha251.jpg|SaHa 251 (car 9) File:JREast251-Kuha251.jpg|KuHa 251 (car 10) </gallery> <gallery> File:JR East 251 PS27.jpg|A PS27 pantograph on a 251 series set in August 2016 </gallery>
==Interior== <gallery> File:Kids Space on JR East Tc251.JPG|Children's play area on the lower deck of a KuHa 251 car </gallery>
==History== [[File:251 SVO2 Yokohama 20030422.JPG|thumb|Set RE2 in original livery in April 2003]] Built by [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]] and [[Kinki Sharyo]],<ref name="dj359">{{cite journal| last = Saka| first = Masahiro|script-title=ja: JR第1世代の車両・現況と概要|trans-title= JR 1st-generation rolling stock: Current situation and overview| journal = Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine| volume = 43| issue = 359|page=22|language= Japanese| date = March 2014}}</ref> the first two sets were introduced from 28 April 1990.<ref name="kousai1997">{{cite book |script-title=ja: JR特急10年の歩み|trans-title=10 Years of JR Limited Express Trains| publisher = Kousai Shuppansha| date = May 1997| location = Japan| language = Japanese| pages = 49–50| isbn = 978-4-330-45697-3}}</ref> These were followed by two more sets in 1992.<ref name="neko2009"/>
The 251 series was awarded the 1991 [[Laurel Prize]], presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.<ref name="list">{{cite web|url=http://www.jrc.gr.jp/award/bl/bllist.htm |script-title=ja:ブルーリボン賞・ローレル賞 選定車両一覧 |trans-title=Blue Ribbon Award & Laurel Prize Winner List |date=29 May 2012 |website=jrc.gr.jp |publisher=Japan Railfan Club |location=Japan |language=Japanese |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026185520/http://www.jrc.gr.jp/award/bl/bllist.htm |archivedate=26 October 2010 |accessdate=29 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A formal presentation ceremony was held at [[Shinagawa Station]] in Tokyo on 1 March 1992.<ref name="railfan373">{{cite journal|script-title=ja: 251系ローレル賞受賞|trans-title= 251 series awarded Laurel Prize| journal = [[Japan Railfan Magazine]]| volume = 32| issue = 373|page=34| date = February 2013}}</ref>
The fleet underwent a programme of refurbishment between December 2002 and March 2004, which included the addition of new seating, and repainting the sets into a new colour scheme.<ref name="jrr2011"/>
==Withdrawal== From the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 2020, the 251 series sets were replaced by new [[E261 series]] sets on services between Tokyo and Izukyu-Shimoda, with the ''Super View Odoriko'' brand being replaced by new ultra-deluxe ''Saphir Odoriko'' services. The last 251 series ''Super View Odoriko'' limited express run took place on 13 March 2020. After their withdrawal, the trains were transferred to Nagano General Rolling Stock Center for scrapping. No 251 series cars have been preserved.<ref name="tn29012022">{{cite web |title=あぁ～残念！ 博物館入りすることなく廃車に 悲運なJR東日本の車両3選 |language=Japanese |date=29 January 2022 |url=https://trafficnews.jp/post/114765 |website=trafficnews.jp |publisher=Mediavague Co., ltd. |accessdate=30 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130012259/https://trafficnews.jp/post/114765 |archive-date=30 January 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090303092035/http://www.jreast.co.jp/train/express/251.html JR East 251 series ''Super View Odoriko''] {{in lang|ja}}
{{JR East EMU}}
[[Category:Tōkaidō Main Line]] [[Category:Electric multiple units of Japan]] [[Category:East Japan Railway Company]] [[Category:Double-decker EMUs]] [[Category:Train-related introductions in 1990]] [[Category:1500 V DC multiple units of Japan]] [[Category:Kawasaki multiple units]] [[Category:Kinki Sharyo multiple units]] [[Category:Scrapped EMUs]]