381 series

{{short description|Japanese train type}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox train | background = #000000 | name = 381 series | image = JRW 381 Kounotori 20130105.jpg | imagealt = 381 series image | imagesize = 300px | caption = A 381 series on a ''[[Kounotori (train)|Kounotori]]'' service in January 2013 | stocktype = | service = 1973–June 2024 (regular service) | manufacturer = [[Hitachi]], [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]], [[Kinki Sharyo]] | factory = | family = | replaced = [[183 series]] | yearconstruction = 1973–1982 | yearservice = 1973 | refurbishment = 1997–2011 (JR West) | yearscrapped = | numberconstruction = | numberbuilt = 277 vehicles | numberservice = None | numberpreserved = 2 vehicles | numberscrapped = 140 vehicles | successor = [[383 series]], [[287 series]], [[289 series]], [[273 series]] | formation = 3/4/6/7/9 cars per trainset | fleetnumbers = | capacity = | operator = [[JNR]] (1973–1987)<br> [[JR Central]] (1987–2008)<br>[[JR West]] (1987–2024) | depots = Hineno, Goto, Fukuchiyama | lines = Various | carbody = Aluminium alloy | trainlength = | carlength = {{Convert|21300|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} | width = {{Convert|2920|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = {{Convert|3383|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} | floorheight = | platformheight = | entrylevelorstep = | doors = | maxspeed = {{Convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} | weight = | acceleration = | deceleration = | traction = [[Resistor|Resistor control]] | poweroutput = | transmission = | aux = | powersupply = | hvac = | electricsystem = 1,500 V DC overhead lines | collectionmethod = [[Pantograph (transport)|Pantograph]] | bogies = | brakes = | safety = | coupling = | multipleworking = | gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}} }}

The {{Nihongo|'''381 series'''|381系|381-kei}} was a tilting [[Direct current|DC]] [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) train type introduced in 1973 by [[Japanese National Railways]] (JNR), and operated by [[West Japan Railway Company]] (JR West), and [[Central Japan Railway Company]] (JR Central) in Japan.<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 |date = 2009 |location = Japan |language = ja |isbn = 978-4-7770-0836-0|title= Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009}}</ref>

== History == [[File:JNR 381 shinano yamazaki.jpg|left|thumb|381-0 series train set on the [[Shinano (train)|''Shinano'']] service, 1983]] The 381 series EMU was developed from the experimental 591 series 3-car articulated tilting EMU tested from 1970.<ref name="prototype2005">{{cite book |title=プロトタイプの世界 – Prototype World |date=December 2005 |publisher=Kōtsū Shimbunsha |location=Japan |pages=12–19 |oclc=170056962}}</ref>

Trainsets entered revenue service from 10 July 1973 on the ''[[Shinano (train)|Shinano]]'' limited express between Nagoya and Nagano.<ref name="prototype2005" />

JR-West 381 series trains were removed from ''[[Kuroshio (train)|Kuroshio]]'', ''[[Kounotori (train)|Kounotori]]'', ''[[Kinosaki (train)|Kinosaki]]'', and ''[[Hashidate]]'' limited express services in October 2015, with the last services operating on 30 October.<ref name="railfan20151031" />

As the new [[273 series]] sets began service from 6 April 2024, it was announced by JR West in December 2023 that the remaining 381 series sets were scheduled to be retired from June 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2023 |title=381系「リバイバル塗装車両」6月までに運転を終了 |trans-title=Remaining 381 series to be retired by June 2024 |url=https://railf.jp/news/2023/12/16/050300.html |access-date=19 December 2023 |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |language=ja}}</ref> The next sets to be retired were those repainted in various historic liveries; the sets sporting the ''Yuttari Yakumo'' livery were scheduled for retirement at a later date.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2023 |title=381 系特急やくも「リバイバル塗装車両」の今後の運行計画について |trans-title=Regarding the decommissioning of the 381 series limited express Yakumo sets featuring “revival liveries” |url=https://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/items/231215_00_press_381yakumo.pdf |access-date=10 February 2024 |website=westjr.co.jp |language=ja}}</ref> The last regularly scheduled ''Yakumo'' run by this series took place on 15 June 2024 thus marking the end of regular service of the 381 series as a whole.<ref name="Operation end">{{cite web |date=15 June 2024 |title=「国鉄特急型電車」定期運用は終焉へ 381系約50年の生涯を振り返る! |trans-title=Regular service of the "Japanese National Railways Limited Express train" comes to an end - looking back at the 50-year life of the 381 series! |url=https://rail.hobidas.com/feature/500158/ |access-date=16 June 2024 |website=RM News |publisher=Neko Publishing |language=Japanese |location=Japan}}</ref>

== Operations == ===JR Central=== * ''[[Shinano (train)|Shinano]]'' (1973–May 2008)

===JR West=== * ''[[Kuroshio (train)|Kuroshio]]'' (from October 1978 until 30 October 2015<ref name="yomiuri20151029">{{cite web |url= http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20151020-OYT1T50154.html|script-title=ja: くろしお３８１系引退へ…パンダシートも見納め|trans-title= Kuroshio 381 series to be withdrawn – Also end of panda seats|date= 29 October 2015|work= Yomiuri Online|publisher= The Yomiuri Shimbun|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024003614/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20151020%2DOYT1T50154.html|archive-date=2015-10-24|url-status=dead|access-date= 29 October 2015}}</ref>) * ''[[Yakumo (train)|Yakumo]]'' (from July 1982 until 15 June 2024<ref name="Operation end"/>) * ''[[Kounotori (train)|Kounotori]]'' (until 31 May 2011,<ref name="jrwest20110428">{{cite web|url=http://www.westjr.co.jp/ICSFiles/afieldfile/2011/04/28/20110428_287.pdf |title=新型車両（287 系）追加投入の詳細 |trans-title=Details of further introduction of new (287 series) trains |date=28 April 2011 |work=JR-West news release |publisher=West Japan Railway Company |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927045955/http://www.westjr.co.jp/ICSFiles/afieldfile/2011/04/28/20110428_287.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2011 |access-date=2 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> from 1 June 2012<ref name="dj340">{{cite journal| title = JR西日本 381系福知山車ＦＥ編成が営業運転開始|trans-title= JR-West: Fukichiyama-based 381 series FE sets enter service| journal = Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine | volume = 41| issue = 340|page=75| date = August 2012}}</ref> until 30 October 2015<ref name="railfan20151031">{{cite web |url= http://railf.jp/news/2015/10/31/205000.html|script-title=ja: 381系が関西地区の定期運用から離脱|trans-title= 381 series removed from scheduled Kansai area services|date= 31 October 2015|work= Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher= Koyusha Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 1 November 2015}}</ref>) * ''[[Kinosaki (train)|Kinosaki]]'' (from 1 June 2012<ref name="dj340"/> until 30 October 2015<ref name="railfan20151031"/>) * ''[[Hashidate]]'' (from 16 March 2013 until 30 October 2015<ref name="railfan20151031"/>) * ''Hanwa Liner'' rapid service (until March 2011) * ''Yamatoji Liner'' rapid service (until March 2011)

==Livery variations== <gallery> File:CentralJapanRailwayCompanyType381-1.jpg|JNR Livery (JR Central ''Shinano'' set), July 2006 File:Series381-501 Kuroshio.jpg|JR-West ''Kuroshio'' refurbished set File:JR West kuro380 super kuroshio kyoto.jpg|381 series ''Super Kuroshio'' set, 1992 File:Super-kuroshio3.jpg|381 series ''Super Kuroshio'' KuRo 380 refurbished car File:JRW 381 kantuu.jpg|JR-West ''Yakumo'' set, July 2007 File:JRW yakumo 381 super yakumo color.jpg|JR-West set in ''Super Yakumo'' livery, September 2007 File:Series381 Yakumo-17.jpg|JR-West set in ''Yuttari Yakumo'' livery, July 2023 </gallery>

==Preserved examples== * '''KuHa 381-1''': (built 1973 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) [[SCMaglev and Railway Park]], Nagoya.<ref name="dj324">{{cite journal| title = 「リニア・鉄道館」ファーストガイド|trans-title= "SCMaglev and Railway Park" First Guide| journal = Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine | volume = 40| issue = 324|pages=20–33| date = April 2011}}</ref> * '''KuRo 381-11''': (built 1974 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) formerly at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya,<ref name="dj324"/> removed in June 2019.<ref name="jrcentral20190517">{{cite web |url= https://jr-central.co.jp/news/release/_pdf/000039557.pdf|script-title=ja:リニア・鉄道館 N700系車両の展示について|trans-title=N700 series shinkansen exhibit at SCMaglev and Railway Park|date= 17 May 2019|work= News release|publisher= Central Japan Railway Company|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 14 July 2019}}</ref> * '''KuRo 381-1104''': (built 1978 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) Suita Depot, Osaka.

<gallery> File:Kuha381-1.jpg|Preserved KuHa 381-1 at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, April 2011 File:Kuro 381 Electric Railcar.JPG|KuRo 381 at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, March 2016 File:クロ381-1104.jpg|KuRo 381-1104 in May 2019 </gallery>

== Notes == {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:Electric multiple units of Japan]] [[Category:Central Japan Railway Company]] [[Category:Tilting trains]] [[Category:Train-related introductions in 1973]] [[Category:Hitachi multiple units]] [[Category:Kawasaki multiple units]] [[Category:Kinki Sharyo multiple units]] [[Category:1500 V DC multiple units of Japan]] [[Category:Raised cab multiple units]] [[Category:1973 establishments in Japan]]