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JR East 209 Series / JR東日本209系

The 209 Series (209系) is an EMU operated by JR East in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.

Entering service in 1993, the 209 Series was the first of JR East's 'new series vehicles', which also includes the later E231, E233 and E235 types. In addition, it was also the basis of design for the E127, E217, E501, and 701 series. The 209 series was the first to receive the classification of a general type train, which abolished distinctions between commuter and suburban EMU's. It was designed to replace the aging JNR 103 series, which had been a mainstay in Greater Tokyo for a number of decades. The 209 series was designed with the concept of "half the weight, half the price, half the lifespan". JR East concluded that it was pointless for modern rail vehicles to have 40+ years of planned lifespan, as the technology installed would become long obsolete, plus maintenance and repair would be too costly. Compared to JNR era vehicles, this type proved significantly cheaper to produce and maintain, with future scrapping and recycling of materials considered during design and construction. A number of variants were produced, with minor modifications for optimal operations on various lines. 1030 cars were produced in total, ranging from 4 to 10 car sets. As the type was planned for only 20-30 years of service, the number of 209 series trains in service begun to decline in the late 2010s, while many were relocated to less important lines. As of current, around 400 cars remain in Tokyo and Chiba areas, full retirement of the type is not expected until the mid 2030s.

Basic Information:

Max Speed: 110km/h
Acceleration: 0.69m/s/s, 0.92m/s/s (1000 series)
Motor Output: 95kW x 4 per car
Seating: Long

The following formations are included:

209-500 Musashino Line (8 Car)

Configuration: 4M4T
Max Pax: 2532
In Service: 1998-

209-500 Keiyō Line (10 Car)

Configuration: 4M6T
Max Pax: 3180
In Service: 1998-

209-1000 Chūō Rapid Line (10 Car)

Configuration: 6M4T
Max Pax: 3060
In Service: 1999-

209-2100 Chiba Area (4 Car)

Configuration: 2M2T
Max Pax: 1178
In Service: 2009-
-can be coupled up to 2 sets

209-2000 Chiba Area (6 Car)

Configuration: 4M2T
Max Pax: 1802
In Service: 2009-

209-3500 Hachiko/Kawagoe Line (4 Car)

Configuration: 2M2T
Max Pax: 1236
In Service: 2018-