{{short description|Japanese train type}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Infobox train | name = 681 series | image = JRW Series681-0 V12.jpg | imagesize = 300px | caption = A JR-West 681 series train on a ''Thunderbird'' service in April 2022 | service = | manufacturer = [[Niigata Transys]], [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]], [[Kinki Sharyo]], [[Hitachi]] | factory = | family = | replaced = | yearconstruction = 1992 (Prototype set)<br/> 1995–1997 | yearservice = 1992 | refurbishment = 2015–2018 | yearscrapped = 2015– | numberconstruction = | numberbuilt = 102 vehicles | numberservice = 99 vehicles ({{as of|2015|10|01|lc=y}})<ref name="jrr2016">{{cite book |script-title=ja: JR電車編成表 2016冬 |trans-title= JR EMU Formations – Winter 2016 |publisher = Kotsu Shimbunsha |date = November 2015 |location = Japan |language = ja |pages = 359, 422|isbn = 978-4-330-62315-3}}</ref> | numberpreserved = | numberscrapped = 3 vehicles<ref name="jrr2016"/> | formation = 3/6 cars per trainset | fleetnumbers = | capacity = | operator = [[JR-West]] (1992–)<br />[[Hokuetsu Express]] (1997–2015) | depots = Kyoto, Kanazawa | lines = [[Tokaido Main Line]], [[Kosei Line]], [[Hokuriku Main Line]], [[Nanao Line]], [[Shinetsu Main Line]], [[Joetsu Line]], [[Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line]] | carbody = Steel | carlength = | width = | height = | floorheight = | doors = | maxspeed = {{Convert|160|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} (Hokuhoku Line)<ref name="neko2006">{{cite book |script-title=ja: JR全車輌ハンドブック2006 |trans-title= JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2006 |publisher = Neko Publishing |date = 2006 |location = Japan |language = ja |isbn = 978-4-7770-0453-9}}</ref><br /> {{Convert|130|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} (JR lines) | weight = | acceleration = 1.8&nbsp;km/h/s (1.2 mph/s)<ref name="mynavi23112014">{{cite web |last=Sugiyama |first=Junichi |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/diagram-20/ |title=特急「はくたか」在来線最速160km/h! ほくほく線の黄金時代 |trans-title=Limited express "Hakutaka" up to 160&nbsp;km/h on conventional line! Golden Ages of Hokuhoku Line |language=ja |date=23 November 2014 |website=news.mynavi.jp |publisher=Mynavi Corporation |access-date=27 January 2019 }}</ref> | deceleration = 5.5&nbsp;km/h/s (3.4 mph/s){{citation needed|date=January 2019}} | traction = [[Thyristor drive]] + [[variable frequency drive|Variable frequency]] ([[Gate turn-off thyristor|GTO]]) | aux = | powersupply = | hvac = | electricsystem = 20 kV AC 60 Hz / 1,500 V DC overhead | collectionmethod = WPS27C scissors-type pantograph | bogies = | brakes = [[Regenerative brake]], [[electronically controlled pneumatic brakes]], snow-resistant brake | safety = [[Automatic Train Stop|ATS]]-SW, ATS-P | coupling = | multipleworking = [[683 series]] | gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}} }}

The {{Nihongo|'''681 series'''|681系|681-kei}} is a dual-voltage [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) train type operated by [[West Japan Railway Company]] (JR-West) on [[limited express]] services in Japan.

==Variants==

===681-0 series=== Four six-car sets (T01–T03, T06) and five three-car sets (T11–T13, T15, T17) are used on ''[[Thunderbird (train)|Thunderbird]]'' services. These trains feature ''Thunderbird'' branding. Also four six-car sets (W01–W04) and four three-car sets (W11–W14) were used on ''[[Hakutaka]]'' services. These trains featured "White Wing" logos.<ref name="jrr2009">{{cite book |script-title=ja: JR電車編成表 2009夏 |trans-title= JR EMU Formations – Summer 2009 |publisher = Kotsu Shimbunsha |date = June 2009 |location = Japan |language = ja |page = 132|isbn = 978-4-330-06909-8}}</ref>

From February 2015, ''Hakutaka'' W sets began being repainted into the same livery as [[683 series]] trainsets used on ''[[Shirasagi (train)|Shirasagi]]'' services, with thin blue and orange lines below the window band.<ref name="rmnews20150210">{{cite web |url= http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2015/02/jr681_2.html|script-title=ja: 特急〈はくたか〉681系に〈しらさぎ〉色編成現る|trans-title= Hakutaka 681 series trainsets appear in Shirasagi livery|date= 10 February 2015|work= RM News |publisher= Neko Publishing Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 12 February 2015}}</ref>

===681-1000 series=== The pre-series six-car set (T18) and one three-car set (T07) are used on ''Thunderbird'' services.<ref name="jrr2009"/>

===681-2000 series=== Two six-car sets (N01–N02) and two three-car sets (N11–N12) were formerly used on Hokuetsu Express ''[[Hakutaka]]'' services. These trains featured "Snow Rabbit Express" logos.<ref name="jrr2009"/>

<gallery widths=180> File:JRW-Series681 W08.jpg|JR-West ''Shirasagi'' livery (681-0 series) File:Hokuhoku line hakutaka13 service.JPG|Hokuetsu Express livery (681-2000 series) File:JRW Series681-0 Shirasagi-12.jpg|Gangwayed cab car File:681系リニューアル車.jpg|A refurbished 681-0 series set </gallery>

==Interior== <gallery widths=180> File:JRW series681-1000 ordinarycar-inside.JPG|681-1000 series Standard-class saloon File:681kei syanai.JPG|681-0 series odd number car Standard-class saloon File:681kei syanai 2.JPG|681-0 series even number car Standard-class saloon File:JRW series681 greencar-inside.jpg|681-0 series Green car saloon </gallery>

==Refurbishment== All of the 681 series trainsets used on ''Thunderbird'' limited express services underwent a programme of refurbishment from autumn 2015 until the end of fiscal 2018.<ref name="tetsudoshimbun20150128">{{cite web |url= http://tetsudo-shimbun.com/article/topic/entry-304.html|script-title=ja: より快適に！北陸～近畿を結ぶ特急「サンダーバード」、車両リニューアルへ |trans-title= Rolling stock to be refurbished for ''Thunderbird'' limited express trains linking Hokuriku and Kinki|date= 28 January 2015|work= Tetsudo Shimbun|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 28 January 2015}}</ref>

==References== {{commons category}} {{reflist}}

==Further reading== * {{cite journal|title= |script-title=ja:オールガイド681・683系 |trans-title=Full Guide: 681/683 Series |journal=[[Japan Railfan Magazine]] |volume=49 |issue=577 |pages=56–65 |date=May 2009}} * {{cite journal|title= |script-title=ja:北越急行681・683系 |trans-title=Hokuetsu Express 681/683 Series |journal=[[Japan Railfan Magazine]] |volume=49 |issue=577 |pages=46–55 |date=May 2009}}

{{JR West rolling stock}}

[[Category:Electric multiple units of Japan]] [[Category:West Japan Railway Company]] [[Category:Train-related introductions in 1992]] [[Category:Hitachi multiple units]] [[Category:Niigata Transys rolling stock]] [[Category:20 kV AC multiple units]] [[Category:Kinki Sharyo multiple units]] [[Category:Kawasaki multiple units]] [[Category:1500 V DC multiple units of Japan]]