731 series

731 series
731 series set G-116 in August 2009
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Hitachi[1]
Replaced	711 series
Constructed	1996–2006
Entered service	24 December 1996
Number built	63 vehicles (21 sets)
Number in service	63 vehicles (21 sets)
Formation	3 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	G-101–121
Operators	JR Hokkaido
Depots	Sapporo
Lines served	Hakodate Main Line, Chitose Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	21,670 mm (71 ft 1 in) (end cars) 21,300 mm (69 ft 11 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	2,800 mm (9 ft 2 in)
Height	3,620 mm (11 ft 11 in)
Doors	3 per side
Maximum speed	130 km/h (81 mph)
Electric system(s)	20 kV 50 Hz AC (overhead line)
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
Multiple working	721 series, 733 series, 735 series, KiHa 201 series
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 731 series (731系) is an AC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on Sapporo area suburban services in Hokkaido, Japan since 1996.[2]

Formation

As of 1 October 2016^[update], 21 three-car sets are in service, numbered G-101 to G121, and based at Sapporo Depot. The trainsets are formed as follows, with one motored intermediate car and two non-powered driving trailer cars.[3]

Car No.	1	2	3
Designation	Tc'	M	Tc
Numbering	KuHa 731-100	MoHa 731-100	KuHa 731-200
Capacity (total/seated)	141/50	151/52	143/50

Car 2 is fitted with one N-PS785 single-arm pantograph.[3]

Interior

Seating consists of longitudinal bench seating throughout, without the vestibule areas used on the earlier 721 series trains.[2]

• 
  Interior view in February 2010

History

KiHa 201 series DMU running in multiple with a 731 series EMU, January 2009

A total of 63 vehicles (21 sets) were delivered to Sapporo Depot between 1996 and 2006. The first units entered service from 24 December 1996.[4]

From the start of 22 March 1997 timetable revision, 731 series EMUs were operated in multiple with KiHa 201 series DMU sets over certain routes.[4]

Polycarbonate window protectors were added in 2002, and the original pantographs were replaced with single-arm pantographs between 2004 and 2005.[4]

Fleet history

The individual build histories of the fleet are as follows.[3][1][5][6]

Set No.	Manufacturer	Delivery date
G-101	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	12 December 1996
G-102		10 December 1996
G-103	Hitachi	13 December 1996
G-104		14 December 1996
G-105	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	23 February 1998
G-106		24 February 1998
G-107
G-108		22 March 1998
G-109		23 March 1998
G-110		24 March 1998
G-111		16 December 1998
G-112		17 December 1998
G-113	Hitachi	18 December 1998
G-114		19 December 1998
G-115	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	20 December 1999[7]
G-116
G-117		21 December 1999[7]
G-118	Hitachi	13 December 1999[7]
G-119
G-120	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	6 March 2006[8]
G-121		5 March 2006[8]

References

1. JR車両のデータ・バンク 96/97 [JR rolling stock databank – 96/97]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 37, no. 435. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 1997.
2. Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
3. Jr電車編成表 JR電車編成表 2017冬 [JR EMU Formations – Winter 2017] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 16 November 2016. p. 7. ISBN 978-4-330-73716-4.
4. JR電車編成表 2010夏 [JR EMU Formations – Summer 2010]. Japan: JRR. May 2010. p. 2. ISBN 978-4-330-14310-1.
5. JR車両のデータ・バンク 97/98 [JR rolling stock databank – 97/98]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 38, no. 447. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 1998.
6. JR車両のデータ・バンク 98/99 [JR rolling stock databank – 98/99]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 39, no. 459. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 1999.
7. JR車両のデータ・バンク 1999/2000 [JR rolling stock databank – 1999/2000]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 40, no. 471. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2000.
8. JR車両のデータ・バンク 2005/2006 [JR rolling stock databank – 2005/2006]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 46, no. 543. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2006.