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Abukuma Express 8100 Series / 阿武隈急行8100系

The 8100 Series (8100系) is an EMU operated by third sector company Abukuma Express.

Based on the JR Kyushu 713 Series, the 8100 Series was produced in anticipation of the electrification of the Abukuma Express Line in 1988. As a result of various changes, it has bares no visible resemblance to the 713 series. It was designed to be compactible with one-man operation with a cab consistent with those used by JR East. The type is composed of a fixed 2-car set, with one motor car and one trailer car. Seating layout is installed in a semi-cross configuration typical of the region, with rows of box seats and long seats at the end of the vehicle. A total of 18 vehicles were produced, all of which operates on the Abukuma Express Line. As many parts are shared with JR East's 719 series, maintenance is outsourced to JR East Technology in Sendai. By 2018, Abukuma Express had begun considering a future replacement for the 8100 series, as the 719 series had been gradually withdrawn, which created a lack of spare parts. It was decided that JR East's 721 series would become the basis of the company's next generation vehicle, which became the AB900 Series. As of current, six 8100 series sets have been discontinued, with the type likely to be fully abolished by 2025.

Operator Background:

Abukuma Express is a third sector railway operating in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. It is entirely owned by the governments of the two prefectures, in addition to municipalities along the line. Founded in 1986, the company took over operations on the former JNR Marumori Line, which was scheduled to close under the JNR Reconstruction Law, aimed at addressing JNR's unsustainable deficit and ballooning debt. The Marumori Line was constructed in 1968 as a bypass route of the congested Tōhoku Main Line, but it was only partially completed when the Tōhoku Main Line was double tracked and electrified, and the Jōban Line was also fully electrified. As the line had lost it's original purpose, the full portion south of Marumori Station was not finished. Upon transfer to local control, it was decided that the line must to fully opened to realize it's value, this was achieved in 1988, when electrification works were also completed. The current Abukuma Express line is 54.9km long with 24 stations, it is entirely single track except for the southern most 4.7km portion. It connects Fukushima Station with Tsukinoki Station, and links to the Tōhoku Main Line on both ends. One morning and one evening trip per day runs through to Sendai Station. Pre-pandemic passenger numbers were reported as an average of around 6,000 per day.

Basic Information:

Max Speed: 100km/h
Acceleration: 0.58m/s/s
Motor Output: 120kW x 4 per car
Seating: semi-cross
In Service: 1988-

The following formations are included:

8100 Series (2 Car)

Configuration: 1M1T
Max Pax: 306
-can be coupled up to 4 sets