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JR West 521 Series / JR西日本521系

The 521 Series (521系) is an EMU of JR West operating in the Hokuriku Region.

An AC/DC dual voltage suburban train in service since 2006, The 521 Series is commonly seen across the Hokuriku Region. It was developed to replace aging local trains on the Hokuriku Main Line and Kosei Line, and also local lines in the Kanazawa area. The type has a stainless steel exterior based on the 321 series, and the interior layout was based on the 233 series, both of which were in production at the time. Equipment for one-man operations such as fare collection boxes and fare displays were installed, and the doors are opened via buttons to reduce the loss of heat in winter. The 521 series is composed of 2-car sets, which can be coupled to form consists of up to 8 cars. Production of the type had gone through several phases, with the first 8 cars were built in 2006 at the expense of Shiga and Fuku-i Prefectures, these cars are preferentially operated in the two prefectures as a consequence. The second batch of 40 cars was built from 2009-2010 for the Kanazawa area, these units were paid for by JR West directly. A further 42 cars were ordered by JR West and constructed by 2017, these feature a redesigned front based on the 227 series, and also have fall prevention barriers installed. In addition to JR, a number of units are operated by third sector companies which had inherited portions of the former Hokuriku Main Line after the construction of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Ainokaze Toyama Railway has 16 sets, of which 10 were transferred from JR west and 6 were ordered new. 21 sets are owned by IR Ishikawa Railway, with 3 delivered directly. Hapi-Line Fuku-i, which begun operation on 16th March 2024, inherited 16 sets from JR West. In total, there are 164 cars, of which a majority is now owned by non-JR companies. Interestingly, Ainokaze Toyama Railway had announced plans to manufacture middle cars for an extension to 3 car sets in 2025, which would create a new vehicle classification within the series.

Basic Information:

Max Speed: 130km/h
Acceleration: 0.69m/s/s
Motor Output: 230kW x 4 per car
Seating: cross
In Service: 2006-

The following formations are included:

521 Series (2 Car)

Configuration: 1M1T
Max Pax: 315
-can be coupled up to 4 sets