{{short description|Japanese train type}} {{use mdy dates|date=March 2020}} {{For|the diesel multiple unit developed by JR Hokkaido|KiHa 261 series}} {{Infobox train | name = E261 series | image = JRE-Series-E261 RS2.jpg | imagesize = | caption = E261 series running on the [[Izu Kyūkō Line]], September 2021 | service = | designer = [[Ken Okuyama Design]] | manufacturer = [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]], [[Hitachi]] | factory = Hyogo (Kawasaki)<br/>Kudamatsu (Hitachi) | family = Saphir Odoriko | replaced = [[251 series]] | yearconstruction = 2019 | yearservice = March 14, 2020 | refurbishment = | yearscrapped = | numberconstruction = | numberbuilt = 16 vehicles (2 sets) | numberservice = | numberpreserved = | numberscrapped = | formation = 8 cars per trainset | fleetnumbers = RS1 &ndash; RS2 | capacity = 164 seated | operator = [[JR East]] | depots = | lines = | carbody = Aluminum | carlength = {{convert|21.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (end cars)<ref name="rg18122019"/><br>{{convert|20.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (intermediate cars)<ref name="rg18122019"/> | width = | height = | maxspeed = {{convert|120|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} | acceleration = | deceleration = | traction = [[Silicon carbide|SiC]]-[[MOSFET]]–[[Variable-frequency drive|VVVF]] ([[Hitachi]]) | traction motors = 4 × Hitachi {{convert|140|kW|hp|abbr=on}} MT79 3-phase AC [[induction motor]] | transmission = | aux = | powersupply = | hvac = | electricsystem = {{1,500 V DC}} [[overhead line]]s | collectionmethod = [[Pantograph (transport)|Pantograph]] | bogies = | brakes = | safety = | coupling = | multipleworking = | gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}} }}

The {{Nihongo|'''E261 series'''|E261系|E261-kei|lead=yes}} is an [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) train type operated by [[East Japan Railway Company]] (JR East) in Japan on ''[[Odoriko|'''Saphir Odoriko''']]'' limited express services between [[Tokyo Station|Tokyo]] and [[Izukyū Shimoda Station|Izukyū-Shimoda]]. It was designed to replace the older [[251 series]] trains that were used on ''Super View Odoriko'' limited express services from April 28, 1990, until March 13, 2020.

==History== The trains are designed by [[Ken Okuyama Design]],<ref name="mynavi21112019">{{cite web|date=November 21, 2019|title=JR東日本E261系「サフィール踊り子」新型車両が試運転、都内を走行|trans-title=JR East E261 series "Saphir Odoriko" new vehicle trial run, traveling in metropolitan area|url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20191121-e261saphirodoriko/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191218144240/https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20191121-e261saphirodoriko/|archive-date=December 18, 2019|access-date=December 18, 2019|website=news.mynavi.jp|publisher=Mynavi Corporation|language=ja}}</ref> with exterior painted with ''sapphire blue'' to match with the blue sky of the [[Izu Peninsula]]. Two eight car sets were manufactured, by [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]]' [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company|Hyogo factory]] (cars 1 to 3)<ref name="neko07112019">{{cite web|date=November 7, 2019|title=【JR貨】 【JR東】 JR東日本E261系（日立製作所製作分）が甲種輸送される|trans-title=(JR freight) (JR East) JR East E261 series (built by Hitachi) delivered|url=http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2019/11/jrjr_jre261.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191218150355/http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2019/11/jrjr_jre261.html|archive-date=December 18, 2019|access-date=December 18, 2019|website=rail.hobidas.com|publisher=Neko Publishing|language=ja}}</ref><ref name="railfan06112019">{{cite web|date=November 6, 2019|title=E261系6両が甲種輸送される|trans-title=Six E261 series cars delivered|url=https://railf.jp/news/2019/11/06/150000.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191218140154/https://railf.jp/news/2019/11/06/150000.html|archive-date=December 18, 2019|access-date=December 18, 2019|work=Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher=Koyusha Co., Ltd.|location=Japan|language=ja}}</ref> and [[Hitachi]]'s {{Interlanguage link|Hitachi Kasado|lt=Kasado factory|ja|日立製作所笠戸事業所}} (cars 4 to 8).<ref name="th17122019">{{cite web|last=Osaka|first=Naoki|date=December 17, 2019|title=全席グリーン以上､新｢踊り子｣はここがスゴい 青く輝く｢サフィール｣2020年春デビュー|trans-title=All seats above green, the new "Odoriko" is amazing - Blue shining "Saphir" debuts in spring 2020|url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/320211?page=2|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191218143134/https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/320211?page=2|archive-date=December 18, 2019|access-date=December 18, 2019|website=toyokeizai.net|publisher=Toyo Keizai Inc.|language=ja}}</ref>

Set RS1 operated a trial run on November 21, 2019,<ref name="mynavi21112019"/> and the trains entered service on March 14, 2020,<ref name="railfan15032020">{{cite web|date=March 15, 2020|title=特急"サフィール踊り子"が運転を��始|trans-title=Limited express "Saphir Odoriko" starts operation|url=https://railf.jp/news/2020/03/15/201500.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315165510/https://railf.jp/news/2020/03/15/201500.html|archive-date=March 15, 2020|access-date=March 15, 2020|work=Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher=Koyusha Co., Ltd.|location=Japan|language=ja}}</ref> the day after the 251 series ''Super View Odoriko'' sets were retired.

==Technical specifications== The car bodies are made of aluminum, and the trains use [[three phase]] motors and [[VVVF]] inverters.<ref name="rg18122019" /> Each car has one door per side; cars 3, 5, and 7 are fitted with pantographs, with the one on car 5 being for emergency use.

==Formation== The trains are formed as eight-car sets, with five motored and three trailer cars. Car 1 faces towards Izukyū-Shimoda and car 8 towards Tokyo.<ref name="rg18122019">{{cite web |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/traction-and-rolling-stock/jr-east-tests-saphir-odoriko-luxury-emus/55397.article |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=JR East tests Saphir Odoriko luxury EMUs |date=December 18, 2019 |website=railwaygazette.com |publisher=DVV Media International |access-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191218134341/https://www.railwaygazette.com/traction-and-rolling-stock/jr-east-tests-saphir-odoriko-luxury-emus/55397.article |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="railfan707">{{Cite magazine |date=March 2020 |title= |script-title=ja:JR東日本E261系特急形直流電車 |trans-title=JR East E261 series limited-express DC train |magazine=[[Japan Railfan Magazine]] |language=ja |location=Japan |publisher=Koyusha Co., Ltd. |volume=60 |issue=707 |pages=56–61|orig-date=}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- style="border-bottom:4px solid #0099cc" ! | colspan="8" | {{align|left|← {{STN|Izukyū-Shimoda|x}}, {{STN|Atami|x}}}} {{align|right|{{STN|Tokyo|x}}, {{STN|Shinjuku|x}} →}} |- ! Car No. ! style="background-color: #3cb8cc40; color: inherit" | 1 ! style="background-color: #3fff6f40; color: inherit" | 2 ! style="background-color: #3fff6f40; color: inherit" | 3 ! 4 ! style="background-color: #3fff6f40; color: inherit" | 5 ! style="background-color: #3fff6f40; color: inherit" | 6 ! style="background-color: #3fff6f40; color: inherit" | 7 ! style="background-color: #3fff6f40; color: inherit" | 8 |- ! Designation | style="background-color: #3cb8cc20; color: inherit" | '''KuRo E260-0'''<br/>(Tsc') | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | '''MoRo E260-100'''<br/>(M2s1) | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | '''MoRo E261-100'''<br/>(M1s1) | '''SaShi E261-0'''<br/>(TD) | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | '''MoRo E261-0'''<br/>(M1s) | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | '''MoRo E260-0'''<br/>(M2s) | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | '''MoRo E261-200'''<br/>(Ms) | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | '''KuRo E261-0'''<br/>(Tsc) |- ! Weight ({{abbr|t|Tonne}}) | style="background-color: #3cb8cc20; color: inherit" | 38.6 | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 37.6 | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 39.1 | 39.2 | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 40.2 | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 39.2 | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 40.5 | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 38.6 |- !Capacity | style="background-color: #3cb8cc20; color: inherit" | 20 | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 20 | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 20 | (16) | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 14 | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 36 | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 30 | style="background-color: #3fff6f20; color: inherit" | 24 |}

*Cars 3 and 7 are each fitted with one single-arm [[Pantograph (transport)|pantograph]], and car 5 is fitted with two.<ref name="railfan707"/>

==Interior== === Premium Green Car (Car 1) === Car 1 is designated as a "premium green car" with a 1+1 private seating layout. The fully power-reclining seats, made of leather and equipped with leg rest and luggage space under each seat, can be swiveled towards the window side for the view of Izu's seaside.

=== Green car private compartments (Cars 2 and 3) === Cars 2 to 3 are designated as "[[First_class_travel#Japan|green cars]]" with private compartment seating for groups of 4 to 6 people and are priced higher than the "premium green car". Seats are arranged in transverse seating for the 4 person compartments and individual seatings for the 6 person compartments. All private compartments have the electrical power outlets.

=== Cafeteria (Car 4) === Car 4 is designated as the cafeteria, with an open-style kitchen, counter seats, and table seats.

=== Green car (Cars 5 to 8) === Cars 5 to 8 are designated as regular "green cars"; passenger accommodation consists of 2+1 seating throughout. Each seat is equipped with power outlets and can be reclined. Two single seats on car 5 are equipped with belts for wheelchairs.<ref name="mynavi07112019">{{cite web |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20191107-e261saphirodoriko/ |title=JR東日本E261系「サフィール踊り子」新型車両が登場「サシE261」も |trans-title=JR East E261 series "Saphir Odoriko" new vehicle appeared "Sashi E261" |language=ja |date=November 7, 2019 |website=news.mynavi.jp |publisher=Mynavi Corporation |access-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191218153813/https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20191107-e261saphirodoriko/ |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Features === All cars, except cars 2 to 4, have a luggage area at the end sections and overhead, and restrooms are available in cars 2, 3, and 7, with multi-accessible toilet located at car 5. All seats except private compartments are equipped with personal reading lights, and all cars feature Wi-Fi connection.

<gallery> File:Saphir odoriko E261 premium green car.jpg|Premium green car File:Saphir odoriko E261 6 person Compartment.jpg|Green car compartments File:Saphir odoriko E261 cafeteria.jpg|Cafeteria File:Saphir odoriko E261 green car.jpg|Green car File:Saphir odoriko E261 cafeteria ramen.jpg|[[Ramen]] noodles and [[onigiri]] served in the cafeteria </gallery>

== See also == * [[251 series]], the limited express EMU type used on ''Super View Odoriko'' services prior to the introduction of the E261 series *''[[Odoriko]],'' the regular express service beside the limited express service

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commonscat}} * [https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2018/20180502.pdf JR East press release] {{in lang|ja}}

{{JR East EMU}}

[[Category:Electric multiple units of Japan]] [[Category:East Japan Railway Company]] [[Category:Train-related introductions in 2020]] [[Category:1500 V DC multiple units of Japan]] [[Category:Kawasaki multiple units]] [[Category:Hitachi multiple units]]