# E501 series

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Japanese train type

E501 series A 10-car E501 series formation on a Jōban Line service, January 2020 In service 1995–Present Manufacturers Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Tokyu Car Corporation Replaced 401 series Constructed 1995–1997 Entered service December 1995 Refurbished 2011–2012 Scrapped 2024– Number built 60 vehicles Number in service 45 vehicles (5 sets) (JR East) Number scrapped 5 vehicles (1 set) Formation 5/10 cars per trainset Fleet numbers K701–K704, K751–K754 Operators JR East JR Kyushu (future) Depot Katsuta Lines served ■ Jōban Line ■ Mito Line Specifications Car body construction Stainless steel Car length 20,420 mm (67 ft 0 in) (end cars) 20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in) (intermediate cars) Width 2,890 mm (9 ft 6 in) Doors 4 pairs per side Maximum speed 120 km/h (75 mph) Traction system Original: GTO–VVVF (Siemens) Current: IGBT–VVVF (Toshiba) Traction motors MT70 3-phase AC induction motor Power output 120 kW (161 hp) × 4 per motored car Transmission Gear Ratio: 16:97 Acceleration 2.0 km/(h⋅s) (1.2 mph/s) Deceleration 4.2 km/(h⋅s) (2.6 mph/s) Electric systems 1,500 V DC / 20 kV 50 Hz AC (overhead catenary) Current collection Pantograph Safety system ATS-PS Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The **E501 series** (E501系) is a dual-voltage AC/DC [electric multiple unit](/source/Electric_multiple_unit) (EMU) train type operated on local services by [East Japan Railway Company](/source/East_Japan_Railway_Company) (JR East) in Japan since December 1995.[1]

## Design

Built jointly by [Kawasaki Heavy Industries](/source/Kawasaki_Heavy_Industries) and [Tokyu Car](/source/Tokyu_Car),[2] the design is derived from the [209 series](/source/209_series) commuter EMU, and were initially operated as 10+5-car formations on [Jōban Line](/source/J%C5%8Dban_Line) services out of [Ueno](/source/Ueno_Station) in Tokyo, but were modified with the addition of toilets and transferred to Jōban Line and [Mito Line](/source/Mito_Line) local services in the Mito area from March 2007.[3]

## Formations

### 10-car sets

As of 1 October 2018, four ten-car sets (K701–K704) are based at Katsuta Depot and formed with four motored ("M") cars and six non-powered trailer ("T") cars.[4]

← Haranomachi Tsuchiura → Car No. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Designation Tc T M M' T' T T M M' Tc' Numbering KuHa E501-0 SaHa E501-0 MoHa E501-0 MoHa E500-0 SaHa E500-0 SaHa E501-0 SaHa E501-0 MoHa E501-0 MoHa E500-0 KuHa E500-1000

- Cars 3 and 8 each have one single-arm pantograph.[4]

- Cars 1 and 10 have a wheelchair space.[4]

- Cars 1 and 10 each have a [universal design](/source/Universal_design) toilet.[4]

- Car 8 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.[4]

### 5-car sets

As of 1 October 2018, four five-car sets (K751–K754) are based at Katsuta Depot and formed with two motored ("M") cars and three non-powered trailer ("T") cars.[4]

← Haranomachi Oyama, Tsuchiura → Car No. 5 4 3 2 1 Designation Tc T M M' Tc' Numbering KuHa E501-1000 SaHa E501-0 MoHa E501-0 MoHa E500-0 KuHa E500-0

- Cars 3 has one single-arm pantograph.[4]

- Cars 1 and 5 have a wheelchair space.[4]

- Cars 1 has a [universal design](/source/Universal_design) toilet.[4]

- Car 4 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.[4]

## Interior

		- Interior view, January 2007

## History

The first 10+5-car train was originally scheduled to be delivered in time for entry into service from the March 1995 timetable revision, but deliveries from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in [Kobe](/source/Kobe) were delayed until May due to the effects of the [Great Hanshin earthquake](/source/Great_Hanshin_earthquake) in January of that year.[3] The first trains ultimately entered revenue service from the start of the 1 December 1995 timetable revision.[5][4]

Between September and October 2006, modifications were made to the side windows to allow some windows to be opened.[5] From October 2006, the fleet underwent modifications to add toilets, and from the start of the 18 March 2007 timetable revision, the E501 series trains were displaced from Jōban Line services out of Ueno by [E531 series](/source/E531_series) sets, and were transferred to local services on the Jōban Line north of [Tsuchiura](/source/Tsuchiura_Station) and on the [Mito Line](/source/Mito_Line).[3] Between 2011 and 2012, the fleet underwent a life-extension refurbishment programme, which involved replacing electrical and brake equipment.[5] These trains were originally equipped with Siemens GTO-VVVF propulsion systems, which were similar to the [Keikyu 2100 series](/source/Keikyu_2100_series) and also produced a "[do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do](/source/Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do)" scale when starting up. As part of the refurbishment, the propulsion system was changed to Toshiba IGBT-VVVF.

Between December 2014 and December 2015, all PS29 lozenge-type pantographs were replaced with single-arm pantographs.[4]

Scrapping of the E501 series fleet commenced in August 2024, starting with 5-car set K751.[6]

		- Intermediate motor car MoHa E501-7 showing the modified opening side windows, February 2009

		- The blocked-off window next to the retro-fitted toilet, January 2007

		- 5-car set K752 in December 2008

### Transfer to JR Kyushu

E501 series sets being delivered to JR Kyushu

In September 2025, four cars each from sets K752 and K753 were transferred to [Kyushu Railway Company](/source/Kyushu_Railway_Company) (JR Kyushu).[7][8] JR Kyushu stated that the transferred sets would replace life-expired [415-1500 series](/source/415-1500_series) sets on services running through the [Kanmon Railway Tunnel](/source/Kanmon_Railway_Tunnel), albeit on a provisional basis.[9] One set was reclassified as **501 series** (501系) and received the fleet number "HM-1".[8]

## Build details

The build details for the fleet are as shown below.[4]

Set No. Manufacturer Delivered Toilet added Refurbished Pantograph changed to single-arm Remarks K701 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 23 May 1995 21 February 2007 20 January 2012 27 November 2015 K702 20 February 1997 26 October 2006 5 November 2012 29 October 2015 K703 6 March 1997 20 November 2006 27 March 2012 24 December 2015 K704 Tokyu Car 18 March 1997 3 October 2006 26 January 2011 13 February 2015 K751 28 March 1995 31 January 2007 21 August 2011 25 December 2014 Scrapped in August 2024 K752 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 21 February 1997 9 November 2006 21 May 2011 27 December 2014 Transferred to JR Kyushu in September 2025[10] K753 7 March 1997 6 December 2006 25 April 2011 5 December 2014 K754 Tokyu Car 19 March 1997 22 January 2007 1 September 2011 24 December 2014 Converted to E501 SAKIGAKE train in October 2023[11]

## *E501 SAKIGAKE*

The *E501 SAKIGAKE* set in August 2025

On 25 October 2023, JR East announced that a 5-car E501 series train has been modified to become the *E501 SAKIGAKE* train. This particular set received a new livery that inspires the image of red and white plum blossoms. The interior features tables for customers to eat and have drinks while onboard the train as well as a refrigerator that stores the cold drinks.[11] The set that underwent the conversion is K754 and it entered service from 23 November 2023 on a special trip on the Jōban and Mito lines between [Mito](/source/Mito_Station_(Ibaraki)) and [Yūki](/source/Y%C5%ABki_Station) stations.[12]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-haraguchi2009_1-0)** Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). *Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: ＪＲ全車両*. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 89. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-418-09905-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-418-09905-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-dj359_2-0)** Saka, Masahiro (March 2014). "JR第1世代の車両・現況と概要" [JR 1st-generation rolling stock: Current situation and overview]. *Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine* (in Japanese). Vol. 43, no. 359. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. p. 22.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-neko2009_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-neko2009_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-neko2009_3-2) *JR全車輌ハンドブック2009* [*JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009*]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. pp. 391–392. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-7770-0836-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-7770-0836-0).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_4-12) JR電車編成表 2019冬 [*JR EMU Formations - Winter 2019*]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 14 November 2018. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-330-93218-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-330-93218-7).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-jrr2014_summer_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-jrr2014_summer_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-jrr2014_summer_5-2) *JR電車編成表 2014夏* [*JR EMU Formations - Summer 2014*]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 30 May 2014. p. 43. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-330-46614-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-330-46614-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** "JR東日本 車両のうごき（8月分）" [JR East vehicle movement (August)]. *Japan Railfan Magazine* (in Japanese). **764** (December 2024 Issue). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd.: 140 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-railfan13092025_7-0)** ["E501系8両が九州へ甲種輸送される"](https://railf.jp/news/2025/09/13/000500.html). *Japan Railfan Magazine Online* (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 13 September 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250913173118/https://railf.jp/news/2025/09/13/000500.html) from the original on 13 September 2025. Retrieved 13 September 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_8-1) [「501系・415系車両見学会」開催](https://railf.jp/news/2026/04/27/010000.html) ["501 series and 415 series vehicle tour" held]. *Japan Railfan Magazine Online* (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [九州へ運ばれた「常磐線の電車」使い道あきらかに 予想は的中も「ただし…」とJR九州幹部](https://trafficnews.jp/post/597376) [The purpose of the "Joban Line train" transported to Kyushu has been revealed; the prediction was correct, but a JR Kyushu executive added, "However..."]. *Traffic News* (in Japanese). Japan: Mediavague. 21 October 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["JR九州譲渡のJR東日本E501系K752編成+K753編成8両を甲種輸送"](https://rail.hobidas.com/rmnews/524838/) [8 JR East E501 series cars from sets K752 + K753 transferred to JR Kyushu]. *RM News* (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SAKIGAKE_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SAKIGAKE_11-1) ["E501 系電車を活用した新しいイベント専用車両 「E501 SAKIGAKE(さきがけ)」がデビューします!"](https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2023/mito/20231025_mt01.pdf) [A new event-specific vehicle "E501 SAKIGAKE" will debut using an E501 series train!] (PDF) (in Japanese). Japan: East Railway Japan Company. 25 October 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250420230952/https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2023/mito/20231025_mt01.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 20 April 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["「E501 SAKIGAKEさきがけ」による団体運転"](https://railf.jp/news/2023/11/24/052100.html) [Group driving by “E501 SAKIGAKE”]. *Japan Railfan Magazine Online* (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 24 November 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250125001250/https://railf.jp/news/2023/11/24/052100.html) from the original on 25 January 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2024.

## Further reading

- *首都圏新系列車両 Profile: 209/E231/E233系グループの全貌* 首都圏新系列車両PROFILE [*Tokyo Area New-generation Rolling Stock Profile*] (in Japanese). Japan: Ikaros Publishing. 15 April 2011. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-86320-436-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-86320-436-2).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [E501 series](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:JR_East_E501).

- [JR East E501 series](http://www.jreast.co.jp/train/local/e501.html) (in Japanese)

v t e Multiple-units of East Japan Railway Company Current / active Shinkansen AC EMUs E2 E3 E5 E6 E7 E8 Conventional lines (Narrow- gauge) DC EMUs Commuter E127 E129 E131 205 209 211 E231 E233 E235 Limited express 253 255 E257 E259 E261 E353 AC/DC EMUs Commuter E501 E531 Limited express E653 E655 E657 AC EMUs Commuter 701 719 E721 Limited express E751 BEMUs DC EV-E301 AC EV-E801 DMUs Diesel KiHa 40 KiHa 100/110 KiHa E120 KiHa E130 KiHa 141 Diesel-electric GV-E400 Hybrid MUs Commuter KiHa E200 HB-E210 HB-E220 Resort/deluxe trains E001 HB-E300 Non-revenue AC EMUs E926 "East-i" E956 DC EMUs 143 145 AC/DC EMUs E491 E493 DMUs Diesel KiYa E193 KiYa E195 Diesel-electric GV-E197 Future Shinkansen AC EMUs E10 Conventional lines AC EMUs E723 Fuel cell EMUs FV-E991 Retired / withdrawn Shinkansen AC EMUs 200 400 E1 E4 Conventional lines DC EMUs Commuter KuMoHa 12 KuMoHa 40 101 103 105 107 113 115 123 201 203 207 E217 301 Limited express 157 165 167 169 183 185 189 215 251 E351 AC/DC EMUs Commuter 403 415 417 453 455 457 Limited express 483 485 489 583 651 AC EMUs 715 717 DMUs KiHa 20 KiHa 30 KiHa 35 KiHa 37 KiHa 38 KiHa 45 KiHa 52 KiHa 58 KiHa 59 Non-revenue AC EMUs 925 STAR21 KuMoYa 740 KuMoYa 743 DC EMUs KuMoYa 90 193 901 E331 E993 AC/DC EMUs KuMoYa 441 443 KuYa 497 E991 DMU KiYa 191 Hybrid MU KiYa E991 DC BEMU E995 Experimental Fastech 360 E331

v t e Multiple units of Kyushu Railway Company Current / active AC EMUs (Shinkansen) 800 N700 N700S DC EMUs 103 303 305 AC/DC EMUs 415 AC EMUs 713 783 787 811 813 815 817 821 883 885 BEC819 DMUs KiHa 31 KiHa 40 KiHa 66 KiHa 71 KiHa 72 KiHa 125 KiHa 183 KiHa 185 KiHa 200 Hybrid DEMUs YC1 Retired / withdrawn AC/DC EMUs 421 423 455 457 475 485 AC EMUs 715 717 DMUs KiHa 20 KiHa 35 KiHa 45 KiHa 52 KiHa 58 KiHa 65 Planned DC EMUs 307 AC/DC EMUs 501

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [E501 series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E501_series) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E501_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.