{{short description|Japanese train type}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox train | name = 273 series | image = JRW_EC_273_series_Y2_20240410.jpg | caption = Set Y2 in April 2024 | stocktype = | service = 2024–present | manufacturer = {{plainlist| *[[Kinki Sharyo]] |}} | designer = | factory = | family = | replaced = [[381 series]] | yearconstruction = 2023–2024 | yearservice = 6 April 2024 | refurbishment = | yearscrapped = | numberbuilt = 44 vehicles (11 sets) | numberservice = | numberpreserved = | numberscrapped = | formation = 4 cars per trainset | fleetnumbers = Y1–Y11 | capacity = | operator = {{ric|JR West|name=y}} | depots = | lines = {{plainlist| *[[Sanyo Main Line]] *[[Hakubi Line]] *[[Sanin Main Line]] |}} | carbody = | carlength = | width = | height = | floorheight = | doors = | maxspeed = | weight = | traction = [[variable frequency drive|Variable frequency]] | poweroutput = | transmission = | acceleration = | deceleration = | aux = | powersupply = | hvac = | electricsystem = {{1,500 V DC}} ([[overhead catenary]]) | collectionmethod = [[Pantograph (rail)|Pantograph]] | bogies = | brakes = | safety = | coupling = | multipleworking = | gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|allk=on}} | notes = {{Blue Ribbon Award (railway)|2025|68th}} }}
The {{Nihongo|'''273 series'''|273系}} is a Japanese train type operated by [[West Japan Railway Company]] (JR West) on ''[[Yakumo (train)|Yakumo]]'' limited express services on the [[San'yō Main Line|Sanyo Main Line]], [[Hakubi Line]] and [[San'in Main Line|Sanin Main Line]]. Announced on 16 February 2022, it has replaced the JNR-era [[381 series]].
== Design == Cars are painted in a bronze livery. The trains also feature a pendular<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-15 |title= |script-title=ja:JR西日本，273系“やくも”の運転を4月6日から順次開始 |trans-title=JR West to introduce new 273 series "Yakumo" trains from 6 April |url=https://railf.jp/news/2023/12/15/185500.html |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Japan Railfan Magazine |publisher=Koyusha |language=ja |publication-place=Japan |archive-date=16 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216185451/https://railf.jp/news/2023/12/15/185500.html |url-status=live }}</ref> tilting system which will be an improvement over the current 381 series trainsets. The tilting system is jointly developed by [[West Japan Railway Company|JR West]], the [[Railway Technical Research Institute]], and [[Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing|Kawasaki]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2022 |title=特急「やくも」新型車両273系の内外装デザイン決定 フラットシートも設置 |trans-title=Limited Express "Yakumo" New Model 273 Series Interior and Exterior Design Determined with Flat Seats |url=https://news.railway-pressnet.com/archives/45117 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020073324/https://news.railway-pressnet.com/archives/45117 |archive-date=20 October 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=News Railway Pressnet |language=ja}}</ref>
Each train set consists of four cars.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=20 October 2022 |title=JR西日本，特急"やくも"に導入する273系のデザインを決定 |trans-title=JR West decides the design of the 273 series to be introduced on the limited express "Yakumo" |url=https://railf.jp/news/2022/10/20/203000.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020164815/https://railf.jp/news/2022/10/20/203000.html |archive-date=20 October 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |language=ja}}</ref> Green (first class) cars feature transverse seating in a 1+2 configuration. Ordinary class cars also feature transverse seating except in a 2+2 configuration.<ref name=":0" /> In addition to the regular seating arrangement, there is a section reserved for tables.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2022 |title=JR西日本、新型車両273系の車体に「やくもブロンズ」デザイン公開 |trans-title=JR West unveils "Yakumo Bronze" design for new train 273 series |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20221020-2485660/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020094459/https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20221020-2485660/ |archive-date=20 October 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=MyNavi News |language=ja}}</ref>
The 273 series was listed in the [[Good Design Award (Japan)|Good Design Award]]'s "Best 100" listing for 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-16 |title= |script-title=ja:JR西日本273系「やくも」取組みがグッドデザイン賞「ベスト100」に |trans-title=JR West 273 series "Yakumo" listed in Good Design Award's "Best 100" |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20241016-3045769/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Mynavi News |language=ja}}</ref> The type is also a recipient of the 2025 [[Blue Ribbon Award (railway)|Blue Ribbon Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-22 |title= |script-title=ja:JR西日本273系、2025年の鉄道友の会ブルーリボン賞(最優秀車両)に |trans-title=JR West 273 series wins 2025 Blue Ribbon Award |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20250522-3332860/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Mynavi News |language=ja}}</ref> <gallery> File:JRW series273 ordinarycar-inside.jpg|Standard class File:JRW series273 semicompartmemt-inside.jpg|Compartment seating File:JRW series273 greencar-inside.jpg|Green car File:JRW series273-freespace.jpg|Free space </gallery>
== History == [[File:JRS 8600series E2.jpg|thumb|A JR Shikoku 8600 series train on test on the Hakubi Line, 2017]] Plans existed as early as 2017 to introduce new rolling stock on [[Yakumo (train)|''Yakumo'']] services to better compete with rival highway bus services.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-24 |title= |script-title=ja:カーブ克服して速度アップ｢振り子式車両｣の進化 |trans-title=The evolution of tilting trains – overcoming curves, increasing speed |url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/716884 |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Toyo Keizai Online |language=ja |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207103649/https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/716884 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Rp|page=6}} In July and September 2017, JR West leased two [[8600 series]] EMUs from [[JR Shikoku]] to test the feasibility of pneumatic tilting on the [[Hakubi Line]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-14 |title= |script-title=ja:JR四国8600系が伯備線で試運転 |trans-title=JR Shikoku 8600 series commissioned on the Hakubi Line |url=https://railf.jp/news/2017/07/14/154000.html |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |publisher=Koyusha Co., Ltd. |language=ja |publication-place=Japan |archive-date=9 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409170225/https://railf.jp/news/2017/07/14/154000.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-14 |title= |script-title=ja:JR四国8600系が再び伯備線で走行試験 |trans-title=JR Shikoku 8600 series commissioned on the Hakubi Line again |url=https://railf.jp/news/2017/09/14/160000.html |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |publisher=Koyusha Co., Ltd. |language=ja |publication-place=Japan |archive-date=9 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409172103/https://railf.jp/news/2017/09/14/160000.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the pneumatic tilting system proved unsuitable for the line, and it was decided that the new rolling stock would use a pendular tilting system instead.<ref name=":2" />
On 30 October 2020, as part of its 2022 mid-term management plan, JR West formally announced its plans to introduce new rolling stock for the ''Yakumo''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-30 |title= |script-title=ja:「ＪＲ西日本グループ中期経営計画2022」見直し |trans-title=Review of JR West's 2022 mid-term management plan |url=https://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/items/201030_00_minaoshihosoku.pdf |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=West Japan Railway Company |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003213237/https://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/items/201030_00_minaoshihosoku.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Details of the new trains, revealed to be classified as 273 series, were announced by JR West on 16 February 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 February 2022 |title=JR西日本，特急"やくも"に273系を導入へ |trans-title=JR West to introduce 273 series to limited express "Yakumo" |url=https://railf.jp/news/2022/02/16/150000.html |access-date=18 February 2022 |website=Japan Railway Fan Magazine Online |language=ja |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216144013/https://railf.jp/news/2022/02/16/150000.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kinki Sharyo]] announced it would be responsible for manufacturing the trainsets on 7 March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=西日本旅客鉄道株式会社殿向け「やくも」を受注いたしました。 |trans-title=We have received an order for "Yakumo" for West Japan Railway Company/ |url=https://www.kinkisharyo.co.jp/news/detail.php?seq=236 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309124557/https://www.kinkisharyo.co.jp/news/detail.php?seq=236 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=Kinki Sharyo |language=ja}}</ref>
[[File:JRW EC 273 series Y2 20231202.jpg|thumb|Set Y2 on test in December 2023]] The first set, Y1, was unveiled on 17 October 2023,<ref name="mynavi21102023">{{cite web |author=<!--新田浩之--> |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20231021-yakumo273/ |title=JR西日本「やくも」新型車両273系「豊かな車内の過ごし方」実現へ |trans-title= |language=Japanese |date=21 October 2023 |website=news.mynavi.jp |publisher=Mynavi Corporation |access-date=22 October 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021134929/https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20231021-yakumo273/ |archivedate=21 October 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> with test-running commencing alongside set Y2 from 25 October 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-25 |title= |script-title=ja:273系Y1編成・Y2編成が近畿車輛から出場 |trans-title=273 series sets Y1 and Y2 undergoing testing by Kinki Sharyo |url=https://railf.jp/news/2023/10/25/133000.html |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |publisher=Koyusha |language=ja |publication-place=Japan |archive-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026010014/https://railf.jp/news/2023/10/25/133000.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sets Y3 and Y4 were assigned to test-running on 17 January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 January 2024 |title=273系Y3編成・Y4編成が登場 |trans-title=Test Running for 273 Series sets Y3 and Y4 |url=https://railf.jp/news/2024/01/18/061000.html |access-date=17 January 2024 |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |language=ja |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117220659/https://railf.jp/news/2024/01/18/061000.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sets Y5 and Y6 were also spotted test-running on 28 February that same year.<ref name="Y5Y6">{{Cite web |date=1 March 2024 |title=増備進む273系 Y5・Y6編成が出場し、試運転を実施 |trans-title= |url=https://rail.hobidas.com/rmnews/494560/#goog_rewarded |access-date=7 April 2024 |website=RM News |publisher=Neko Publishing |publication-place=Japan |language=japanese |archive-date=7 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407063558/https://rail.hobidas.com/rmnews/494560/#goog_rewarded |url-status=live }}</ref> Y7 and Y8 were spotted testing on 4 April 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=273系Y7編成・Y8編成が登場 |trans-title=Appearance of 273 Series sets Y7 and Y8. |url=https://railf.jp/news/2024/04/04/180000.html |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |language=ja |archive-date=6 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406065352/https://railf.jp/news/2024/04/04/180000.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The fleet was introduced into revenue service on 6 April 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-09 |title= |script-title=ja:273系「やくも」が運転を開始 |trans-title=273 series "Yakumo" enters revenue service |url=https://rail.hobidas.com/rmnews/496947/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=RM News |publisher=Neko Publishing |publication-place=Japan |archive-date=9 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409171436/https://rail.hobidas.com/rmnews/496947/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Set Y9 was delivered in late-April 2024,<ref name="273Y9">{{cite web |title=273系Y9編成が登場 |trans-title=273 series set Y9 delivered |url=https://railf.jp/news/2024/04/23/103000.html |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |access-date=24 April 2024 |location=Japan |language=Japanese |date=23 April 2024}}</ref> followed by sets Y10 and Y11, the final set, in May 2024.<ref name="273 Y10">{{cite web |title=273系Y10編成が登場 |trans-title=273 series set Y10 delivered |url=https://railf.jp/news/2024/05/17/150500.html |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |publisher=Koyusha Co., Ltd. |access-date=17 May 2024 |location=Japan |language=ja |date=17 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="273 Y11">{{cite web |title=273系Y11編成が登場 |trans-title=273 series set Y11 delivered |url=https://railf.jp/news/2024/05/24/155800.html |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |publisher=Koyusha Co., Ltd. |access-date=24 May 2024 |location=Japan |language=ja |date=24 May 2024}}</ref>
{{Clear|right}}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * [https://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/items/221020_03_press_yakumo.pdf Press release (in Japanese)] {{JR-West rolling stock}}
[[Category:Train-related introductions in 2024]] [[Category:West Japan Railway Company]] [[Category:Electric multiple units of Japan]] [[Category:Kawasaki multiple units]] [[Category:Kinki Sharyo multiple units]] [[Category:Tilting trains]] [[Category:Raised cab multiple units]]