# E531 series

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Japanese electric multiple unit train type

E531 series An E531 series train on the Joban Line (in March 2019 Between Matsudo Station and Kanamachi Station) In service 2005–present Manufacturers Tokyu Car Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, JR East, J-TREC Replaced 403 series, 415 series, some E501 series Constructed 2005–2020, 2024 Entered service 9 July 2005 Number built 461 vehicles 26 × 10-car 40 × 5-car 1 × end car Number in service 460 vehicles Formation 5/10 cars per trainset Fleet numbers K401–K426 (10-car sets) K451–K483 (standard 5-car sets) K551–K557 (cold-weather 5-car sets) Operator JR East Depot Katsuta Lines served ■ Ueno–Tokyo Line ■ Jōban Line ■ Mito Line ■ Tōhoku Main Line Specifications Car body construction Stainless steel Car length 20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in) Width 2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in) Floor height 1,130 mm (3 ft 8 in) Doors 4 pairs per side Maximum speed 130 km/h (81 mph) Traction system PWM 2-level IGBT–VVVF (Hitachi) Traction motors 4 × 140 kW (190 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor (Hitachi) Power output 1.12 MW (1,500 hp) (5-car sets) 2.24 MW (3,000 hp) (10-car sets) Acceleration 2.5 km/(h⋅s) (1.6 mph/s) Deceleration 4.2 km/(h⋅s) (2.6 mph/s) Electric systems 1,500 V DC and 20 kV 50 Hz AC, both from overhead catenary Current collection PS37A single-arm pantograph Bogies DT71 (motored) TR255 (trailer) Braking system Regenerative brake Safety systems ATS-SN, ATS-P, ATS-Ps Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The **E531 series** ([Japanese](/source/Japanese_language): E531系, [Hepburn](/source/Hepburn_romanization): *E531-kei*) is an [electric multiple unit](/source/Electric_multiple_unit) (EMU) train type operated by [East Japan Railway Company](/source/East_Japan_Railway_Company) (JR East) in Japan.[1] It was introduced by JR East on 9 July 2005 to replace the aging [403](/source/403_series) and [415 series](/source/415_series) EMUs running on the [Jōban Line](/source/J%C5%8Dban_Line) from [Ueno Station](/source/Ueno_Station) in Tokyo. The stock is a dual-voltage (1,500 V DC & 20 kV AC) development of the DC-only [E231 series](/source/E231_series) suburban EMU design, and can run at speeds of up to 130 km/h (81 mph) in service.[2]

## Operations

- [Tōkaidō Main Line](/source/T%C5%8Dkaid%C5%8D_Main_Line) ([Shinagawa](/source/Shinagawa_Station)–[Tokyo](/source/Tokyo_Station))

- [Ueno–Tokyo Line](/source/Ueno%E2%80%93Tokyo_Line)

- [Jōban Line](/source/J%C5%8Dban_Line) ([Ueno](/source/Ueno_Station)–[Haranomachi](/source/Haranomachi_Station))

- [Mito Line](/source/Mito_Line)

- [Tōhoku Main Line](/source/T%C5%8Dhoku_Main_Line) ([Kuroiso](/source/Kuroiso_Station)–[Shin-Shirakawa](/source/Shin-Shirakawa_Station))

Trains are formed in 10-car (set numbers K401–K426) and 5-car (set numbers K451–K483, K551–K557) sets. 15-car formations are generally run between [Shinagawa](/source/Shinagawa_Station) and [Tsuchiura](/source/Tsuchiura_Station). 10- and 5-car sets operate singly north of Tsuchiura, and 5-car sets are used on the [Mito Line](/source/Mito_Line). 5-car cold weather sets (E531-3000 series) are used on the [Tōhoku Main Line](/source/T%C5%8Dhoku_Main_Line) between [Kuroiso](/source/Kuroiso_Station) and [Shin-Shirakawa](/source/Shin-Shirakawa_Station), to handle the change of electrification from DC to AC just north of Kuroiso.

## Formations

### 10-car sets

As of 1 October 2018, 26 ten-car sets (K401–K426) are based at [Katsuta Depot](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Katsuta_Depot&action=edit&redlink=1) and formed with four motored ("M") cars and six non-powered trailer ("T") cars.[3]

← Takahagi Shinagawa → Car No. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Designation Tc T M M' T' Tsd Tsd' M M' Tc' Numbering KuHa E531-0 SaHa E531-0/-2000 MoHa E531-2000 MoHa E530-2000 SaHa E530-2000 SaRo E531-0 SaRo E530-0 MoHa E531-1000 MoHa E530-0 KuHa E530-0

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

- Cars 1 and 10 have a wheelchair space.[3]

- Cars 1, 5, and 10 each have a toilet ([universal design](/source/Universal_design) in cars 1 and 10).[3]

- Car 8 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.[3]

- Cars 4 and 5 are bilevel Green Cars.[3]

- Car 9 in sets K412–K422 are numbered in the -2000 series and have longitudinal seating (these cars were originally cars 4 and 5 in sets K401–K406); in all other sets, they are numbered in the -0 series and have some transverse seating bays.[3]

- Cars 1, 2, and 10 have some transverse seating bays.[3]

### Standard 5-car sets

As of 3 March 2020, 33 five-car sets (K451–K483) are based at Katsuta Depot and formed with two motored ("M") cars and three non-powered trailer ("T") cars.

← Haranomachi Oyama, Shinagawa → Car No. 15 14 13 12 11 Designation Tc T M M' Tc' Numbering KuHa E531-1000 SaHa E531-0 MoHa E531-0 MoHa E530-1000 KuHa E530-2000

- Car 13 has one single-arm pantograph.[3]

- Cars 11 and 15 have a wheelchair space.[3]

- Car 11 has a [universal design](/source/Universal_design) toilet.[3]

- Car 14 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.[3]

- Cars 13, 14, and 15 have some transverse seating bays.[3]

### Cold-weather 5-car sets

An E531 series train on the [Tōhoku Main Line](/source/T%C5%8Dhoku_Main_Line) in October 2017 near [Shirasaka](/source/Shirasaka_Station)

As of 1 October 2018, seven five-car sets (K551–K557) are based at Katsuta Depot and formed with two motored ("M") cars and three non-powered trailer ("T") cars.[3]

← Haranomachi, Kuroiso Shin-Shirakawa, Shinagawa → Car No. 15 14 13 12 11 Designation Tc T M M' Tc' Numbering KuHa E531-4000 SaHa E531-3000 MoHa E531-3000 MoHa E530-4000 KuHa E530-5000

- Car 13 has one single-arm pantograph.[3]

- Cars 11 and 15 have a wheelchair space.[3]

- Car 11 has a [universal design](/source/Universal_design) toilet.[3]

- Car 14 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.[3]

- Cars 13, 14, and 15 have some transverse seating bays.[3]

### Original 10-car sets (July 2005 – March 2007)

The original ten-car sets delivered without bilevel Green cars were formed as follows.[4]

**Sets K401–K406**

← Takahagi Ueno → 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 E531-0 SaHa E531-0 MoHa E531-2000 MoHa E530-2000 SaHa E530-2000 SaHa E531-2000 SaHa E531-2000 MoHa E531-1000 MoHa E530-0 KuHa E530-0

**Sets K407–K411**

← Takahagi Ueno → 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 E531-0 SaHa E531-0 MoHa E531-2000 MoHa E530-2000 SaHa E530-2000 SaHa E530-2000 SaHa E530-2000 MoHa E531-1000 MoHa E530-0 KuHa E530-0

- Cars 3 and 8 each had one single-arm pantograph.

- Cars 1 and 10 had a wheelchair space.

- Cars 1, 5, and 10 each had a toilet ([universal design](/source/Universal_design) in cars 1 and 10).

- Car 8 was designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.

- Cars 1, 2, 9, and 10 had some transverse seating bays.

## Interior

		- An ordinary-class car with longitudinal seating in January 2022

		- An ordinary-class car with a mixture of longitudinal and transverse seating in January 2022

		- Priority seating in January 2022

		- The lower deck of bilevel Green car SaRo E531-17 in January 2022

		- The upper deck of bilevel Green car SaRo E531-17 in January 2022

		- A toilet in January 2022

## History

The first E531 series trains entered service on 9 July 2005.[5]

Pairs of double-deck "Green" (first class) cars were added to the ten-car sets from 6 January 2007, and all ten-car sets included Green cars by the start of the revised timetable on 18 March 2007. Two trailer cars from sets K401–K411 (cars 4 and 5) were repurposed as cars 6 and 9 in sets K412–K422. As there were 12 SaHa E531-2000 cars and 10 SaHa E530-2000 cars being repurposed (the latter type has an air compressor missing from the former type), the SaHa E531-2012 car was modified to become SaHa E530-2022.

In September 2014, an additional ten-car set, K423, was delivered from the [J-TREC](/source/J-TREC) factory in Yokohama, four years after construction of the original fleet had ceased.[6] This was followed by seven new five-car sets (K469–K475) also delivered from J-TREC in Yokohama from December 2014 to March 2015.[7] Seven cold-weather E531-3000 series sets (K551–K557) were built between October 2015 and March 2017. Later in 2017, three more 10-car sets (K424–K426) and two more five-car sets (K476 and K477) were built. Then, between 2019 and 2020, six more five-car sets (K478–K483) were built.

On 26 March 2021, set K417 was involved in a collision between [Tsuchiura](/source/Tsuchiura_Station) and [Kandatsu](/source/Kandatsu_Station). It collided with a passenger vehicle which caught fire and caused damage to the KuHa E531-17 car (car 10).[8] The damaged car was replaced with car 10 (KuHa E531-9) from set K409, which later received a new-build end car, also numbered KuHa E531-17.[9][10]

### Special liveries

Set K451 in November 2021

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Katsuta Depot, set K451 entered service on 5 November 2021 in a wrapping reminiscent of the livery of the [401 series](/source/401_series) trains.[11] Set K423 also received this wrapping in March 2023. The two sets are scheduled to carry this livery until the first quarter of 2026.[12]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-neko2009_1-0)** *JR全車輌ハンドブック2009* [*JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009*]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-7770-0836-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-7770-0836-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-journal465_2-0)** "E531系一般形交直流電車の概要" [E531 series AC/DC EMU outline]. *Railway Journal*. **39** (465): 102. July 2005.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-13) [***o***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-14) [***p***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-15) [***q***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-16) [***r***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-17) [***s***](#cite_ref-jrr2019_winter_3-18) 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. **[^](#cite_ref-jrr2007_4-0)** *JR電車編成表 '07冬号* [*JR EMU Formations – Winter 2007*]. Japan: JRR. December 2006. p. 47. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-88283-046-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-88283-046-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-jrr2012_summer_5-0)** *JR電車編成表 2012夏* [*JR EMU Formations – Summer 2012*]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. May 2012. p. 44. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-4-330-28612-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-330-28612-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-railfan20141001_6-0)** ["常磐線E531系が4年ぶりに新造される"](http://railf.jp/news/2014/10/01/140000.html) [New E531 series built for first time in 4 years]. *Japan Railfan Magazine Online* (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 1 October 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141001092625/http://railf.jp/news/2014/10/01/140000.html) from the original on 1 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rmnews20141219_7-0)** [E531系K469編成総合車両製作所出場](http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2014/12/jre531k469.html) [E531 series set K469 delivered from J-TREC]. *RM News* (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 19 December 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141219081827/http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2014/12/jre531k469.html) from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["JR常磐線衝突事故 車は直前まで警察の追跡受け逃走中"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210326181612/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210326/k10012937071000.html) [JR Jōban Line Collision: car was on the run from police until just before the accident]. 26 March 2021. Archived from [the original](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210326/k10012937071000.html) on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [クハE531-17が甲種輸送される](https://railf.jp/news/2024/02/02/063000.html) [KuHa E531-17 to be delivered]. *Japan Railfan Magazine Online* (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 2 February 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240302154026/https://railf.jp/news/2024/02/02/063000.html) from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [E531系K409編成が出場](https://railf.jp/news/2024/03/02/050500.html) [E531 series set K409 on test]. *Japan Railfan Magazine Online* (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 2 March 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240302000534/https://railf.jp/news/2024/03/02/050500.html) from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-railfan07112021_11-0)** ["E531系K451編成に「赤電」ふうラッピング"](https://railf.jp/news/2021/11/07/200000.html). *Japan Railfan Magazine Online* (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 7 November 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211107114240/https://railf.jp/news/2021/11/07/200000.html) from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [E531系K423編成，前面が赤電塗装になり出場](https://railf.jp/news/2023/03/24/083000.html) [E531 series set K423 with "electric red" livery at front]. *Japan Railfan Magazine Online* (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 24 March 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230602023027/https://railf.jp/news/2023/03/24/083000.html) from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 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*]. 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 [E531 series](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:JR_East_E531).

- [JR E531 series](http://www.jreast.co.jp/train/local/e531.html) (in Japanese)

- [JR East press release announcing new trains in December 2003](http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2003_2/20031205.pdf) (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

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