# 681 series > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/681_series > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/681_series.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/681_series > Source revision: 1338128236 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Japanese train type 681 series A JR-West 681 series train on a Thunderbird service in April 2022 Manufacturers Niigata Transys, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Hitachi Constructed 1992 (Prototype set) 1995–1997 Entered service 1992 Refurbished 2015–2018 Scrapped 2015– Number built 102 vehicles Number in service 99 vehicles (as of 1 October 2015[update])[1] Number scrapped 3 vehicles[1] Formation 3/6 cars per trainset Operators JR-West (1992–) Hokuetsu Express (1997–2015) Depots Kyoto, Kanazawa Lines served Tokaido Main Line, Kosei Line, Hokuriku Main Line, Nanao Line, Shinetsu Main Line, Joetsu Line, Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line Specifications Car body construction Steel Maximum speed 160 km/h (100 mph) (Hokuhoku Line)[2] 130 km/h (80 mph) (JR lines) Traction system Thyristor drive + Variable frequency (GTO) Acceleration 1.8 km/h/s (1.2 mph/s)[3] Deceleration 5.5 km/h/s (3.4 mph/s)[citation needed] Electric system 20 kV AC 60 Hz / 1,500 V DC overhead Current collection WPS27C scissors-type pantograph Braking systems Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, snow-resistant brake Safety systems ATS-SW, ATS-P Multiple working 683 series Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) The **681 series** (681系, *681-kei*) is a dual-voltage [electric multiple unit](/source/Electric_multiple_unit) (EMU) train type operated by [West Japan Railway Company](/source/West_Japan_Railway_Company) (JR-West) on [limited express](/source/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](/source/Thunderbird_(train))* services. These trains feature *Thunderbird* branding. Also four six-car sets (W01–W04) and four three-car sets (W11–W14) were used on *[Hakutaka](/source/Hakutaka)* services. These trains featured "White Wing" logos.[4] From February 2015, *Hakutaka* W sets began being repainted into the same livery as [683 series](/source/683_series) trainsets used on *[Shirasagi](/source/Shirasagi_(train))* services, with thin blue and orange lines below the window band.[5] ### 681-1000 series The pre-series six-car set (T18) and one three-car set (T07) are used on *Thunderbird* services.[4] ### 681-2000 series Two six-car sets (N01–N02) and two three-car sets (N11–N12) were formerly used on Hokuetsu Express *[Hakutaka](/source/Hakutaka)* services. These trains featured "Snow Rabbit Express" logos.[4] - JR-West *Shirasagi* livery (681-0 series) - Hokuetsu Express livery (681-2000 series) - Gangwayed cab car - A refurbished 681-0 series set ## Interior - 681-1000 series Standard-class saloon - 681-0 series odd number car Standard-class saloon - 681-0 series even number car Standard-class saloon - 681-0 series Green car saloon ## 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.[6] ## References Wikimedia Commons has media related to [JR West 681](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:JR_West_681). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-jrr2016_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-jrr2016_1-1) JR電車編成表 2016冬 [*JR EMU Formations – Winter 2016*] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. November 2015. pp. 359, 422. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-330-62315-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-330-62315-3). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-neko2006_2-0)** JR全車輌ハンドブック2006 [*JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2006*] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 2006. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-7770-0453-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-7770-0453-9). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-mynavi23112014_3-0)** Sugiyama, Junichi (23 November 2014). ["特急「はくたか」在来線最速160km/h! ほくほく線の黄金時代"](https://news.mynavi.jp/article/diagram-20/) [Limited express "Hakutaka" up to 160 km/h on conventional line! Golden Ages of Hokuhoku Line]. *news.mynavi.jp* (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. Retrieved 27 January 2019. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-jrr2009_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-jrr2009_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-jrr2009_4-2) JR電車編成表 2009夏 [*JR EMU Formations – Summer 2009*] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. June 2009. p. 132. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-330-06909-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-330-06909-8). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-rmnews20150210_5-0)** [特急〈はくたか〉681系に〈しらさぎ〉色編成現る](http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2015/02/jr681_2.html) [Hakutaka 681 series trainsets appear in Shirasagi livery]. *RM News* (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-tetsudoshimbun20150128_6-0)** [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](http://tetsudo-shimbun.com/article/topic/entry-304.html) [Rolling stock to be refurbished for *Thunderbird* limited express trains linking Hokuriku and Kinki]. *Tetsudo Shimbun* (in Japanese). Japan. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015. ## Further reading - オールガイド681・683系 [Full Guide: 681/683 Series]. *[Japan Railfan Magazine](/source/Japan_Railfan_Magazine)*. **49** (577): 56–65. May 2009. - 北越急行681・683系 [Hokuetsu Express 681/683 Series]. *[Japan Railfan Magazine](/source/Japan_Railfan_Magazine)*. **49** (577): 46–55. May 2009. v t e Multiple units of West Japan Railway Company Current / active Shinkansen AC EMUs 500 700 N700 N700S W7 Conventional lines (Narrow- gauge) DC EMUs 103 105 113 115 117 123 125 201 205 207 213 221 223 225 227 321 323 271 273 281 283 285 287 289 AC/DC EMUs 521 681 683 DMUs KiHa 40 KiHa 120 KiHa 121/126 [ja] KiHa 122/127 87 KiHa 187 KiHa 189 Non-revenue EMU 923-3000 145 [ja] Diesel KiYa 141 [ja] KiYa 143 Diesel-electric DEC700 DEC741 Retired / withdrawn Shinkansen AC EMUs 0 100 300 Conventional lines DC EMUs KuMoHa 42 [ja] KuMoNi 83 [ja] KuMoHa 84 [ja] 101 211 165 167 183 381 AC/DC EMUs 413 415 419 457 471 475 485 489 583 DMUs KiHa 20 KiHa 30/35 KiHa 33 [ja] KiHa 37 [ja] KiHa 38 KiHa 23/53 [ja] KiHa 52 KiHa 58/28 [ja] KiHa 65 [ja] KiHa 181 Non-revenue EMU 922-20 WIN350 KuMoYa 90 [ja] KuMoYa 91 [ja] KuMoYa 441 [ja] 443 [ja] U@tech (223/213) DMU KiYa 191 [ja] --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [681 series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/681_series) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/681_series?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.