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JR West DEC700 Series / JR西日本DEC700形

The DEC700 Series (DEC700形) is a single-car diesel-electric MU constructed for JR West in 2021.

A prototype railcar positioned as the successor to the aging fleet of KiHa 40’s and KiHa 47’s, which have remained as the most prominent type across JR West’s regional network for several decades. A single vehicle was manufactured to serve as a testbed for various ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs. The type is designed for optional installation of a hybrid system via regenerative braking and additional batteries. On the exterior, the railcar resembles JR West’s newer commuter trains such as the 227 series and 323 series. Seating is installed in a 2+1 configuration and can be flipped to face the direction of travel. Long seats can also be fitted depending on the circumstances of each line, although no such vehicle currently exists. The 0.5M control system is used for this type, with half the bogies being powered. Since the construction of the prototype train, extensive test runs were carried out, including experiments with biodiesel fuel. As of Nov. 2024, there are still no definitive plans for the DEC700 series to be mass-produced. However, the prototype car entered commercial service in September, operating as the seasonal rapid Hare no Mori on weekends and holidays. It runs between Tsuyama and Niimi on the Kishin Line.

Basic Information:

Max Speed: 100km/h
Acceleration: 0.58m/s/s
Motor Output: 140kW x 2 per car
Seating: cross
In Service: 2024-

The following formations are included:

DEC700 Series

Configuration: 0.5M0.5T
Max Pax: 123
-can be coupled up to 5 cars