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JNR 381 Series / 国鉄381系

-Please note this type has been retired from service as of May 2025 and will no longer receive active updates.

The 381 Series (381系) is a Limited Express type EMU operated by JR West.

The last remaining type of the classic JNR limited express vehicles, the 381 Series entered service in 1973 as Japan's first tilting train. Production lasted until 1982 and the type saw service on many mountains routes with tight curves such as Shinano and Kuroshio. Upon the the dissolution of JNR, 277 cars were split between JR Central and JR West. The front cars of the 381 series is in a high-cab configuration adopted in many subsequent vehicles, but after privatization both JR companies introduced green cars with a wide front window, dubbed 'panoramic formations'. JR Central withdrew the type from Shinano by 2008, while JR West continued to utilize the 381 series on a large scale well into the 2010s. As newer vehicles are manufactured however, the type ended service on Kuroshio and the northern Kansai area limited express trains by 2017. Presently, it only remains on limited express Yakumo on the Hakubi Line, running between Okayama and Izumo in the San'in region. There are 62 cars registered to the Izumo Train District, although some are likely inactive. JR West has announced that the 381 series will end regular service on 15th July 2024, it will be replaced by the newly manufactured 273 series.

-Update: Regular operation of the type ended as scheduled on 15th June 2024, some sets remain for special runs.

Basic Information:

Max Speed: 120km/h
Acceleration: 0.44m/s/s
Motor Output: 120kW x 4 per car
In Service: 1973-2024

The following formations are included:

381 Series (4 Car)

Configuration: 2M2T
Max Pax: 204

381 Series (6 Car)

Configuration: 4M2T
Max Pax: 332

381 Series w/ Panorama Car (6 Car)

Configuration: 4M2T
Max Pax: 338

381 Series (9 Car)

Configuration: 6M3T
Max Pax: 522