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JNR 103 Series / 国鉄103系

The 103 Series (103系) is a commuter train produced by JNR from 1963 to 1984.

Based on the earlier 101 series with a emphasis on cost-saving, the 103 series was mass produced over a period of 21 years. The type saw service in large urban areas across the country, operating on lines with shorter distances between stations. A total of 3447 cars were produced, the largest number for a single type in Japan. There were also cars converted from the 72 and 101 series, while a handful of sets were converted to the 105 series. After the breakup of JNR, it's successor companies introduced newer and more efficient rolling stock, and the 103 series was withdrawn en masse. Service ended in the Nagoya area in 1999 and Greater Tokyo in 2006, while the last units were withdrawn from the Keihanshin area in 2018. As of current, there are 2 car variants operating on the Bantan and Kakogawa lines of JR West. While the 3-car 1500 series remains on the Chikuhi Line in Northern Kyushu. The Bantan Line cars were converted from middle cars, while the Kakogawa Line units have a revamped front appearance. Those owned by JR Kyushu were produced near the end of the manufacturing period with a different exterior design. Therefore, none of the remaining cars retain the look of the original 103 series. In total there are only 47 cars across the three variants, they are likely to be retired in the late 2020s.

Basic Information:

Max Speed: 100km/h
Acceleration: 0.69m/s/s
Motor Output: 110kW x 4 per car
Seating: long

The following formations are included:

103-3500 Series (2 Car)

Configuration: 2M0T
Max Pax: 417
In Service: 1997(modifed) -
-can be coupled up to 3 sets

103-3550 Series (2 Car)

Configuration: 2M0T
Max Pax: 427
In Service: 2004(modifed) -
-can be coupled up to 3 sets

103-1500 Series (3 Car)

Configuration: 2M1T
Max Pax: 600
In Service: 1982-
-can be coupled up to 2 sets