The 737 series (737系) is an ACelectric multiple unit (EMU) commuter train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on services in the Sapporo area of Hokkaido, Japan, since 20 May 2023. The type is planned replace the fleet of KiHa 143 diesel railcars operated on the Muroran Main Line. The trainsets mark the return of local EMU services on the Muroran Main Line since the retirement of the 711 series from these services in October 2012.[1]
The 737 series is the first commuter train type operated by JR Hokkaido to allow for driver-only operation.[2][3]
Development and design
The 737 series is the first aluminium-bodied production rolling stock operated by JR Hokkaido (the front ends are made of steel). Its adoption follows the development of the experimental 735 series (introduced in 2012), which was developed to test the suitability of aluminium bodywork in cold-weather conditions. The weight savings brought on by aluminium were also taken into consideration, as the equipment required to support driver-only operation would otherwise lead to a significant increase in weight.[4]
The sets are painted in a light pink livery inspired by cherry blossoms; the front end is painted black, with green and yellow accents.[5]
Internally, the sets use longitudinal seating throughout. The seats are covered in purple moquette with a dotted design, which JR Hokkaido states was inspired by the blooming flowers in the Hokkaido region. Car 2 features a toilet. The floor height is 19 centimetres (7.5 in) lower than that of the KiHa 143 railcars they will replace.[5]
Interior
Partial-width longitudinal seat with priority seating at the end (orange)
Full-width longitudinal seat
Free space
Toilet
Operations
The 737 series sets operate between Tomakomai and Muroran stations on the Muroran Main Line; they will replace the fleet of KiHa 143 diesel railcars,[6][7] in addition to displacing some H100 series diesel-electric railcars,[8] the latter of which had also been planned to replace all local trains on the Furano Line.[9] There are also plans to deploy 737 series sets on Hakodate Main Line services in the future.[8]
The first two sets, C-1 and C-2, were delivered in November 2022. The sets were manufactured by Hitachi at its Kasado facility.[10] Training took place in January and February 2023.[11] By April 2023, seven sets had been built.[4] The final six sets, C-8 to C-13, were delivered in May 2023.[12]
The 737 series entered revenue service from 20 May 2023.[13][14][15]
Configuration
All trainsets will be made of 2-car sets with a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).[14]
The capacity is listed at 269 passengers per trainset, of which 93 are seated.[14]
References
^"千歳線・室蘭本線の711系による定期運用が終了" [Periodic operation of the 711 series on the Chitose Line and Muroran Main Line ends.]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 27 October 2012. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
^"JR北海道、新型車両737系を製作 - 老朽化したキハ143形など置換え" [JR Hokkaido announces new rolling stock, replacing the ageing KiHa 143]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 17 August 2022. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
^"JR北海道、SiCモジュールを採用したワンマン運転対応通勤形電車を製作へ" [JR Hokkaido to incorporate silicon carbide modules with future driver-only commuter trains]. TECH+ (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 17 August 2022. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
^ ab新型車両737系、JR北海道が本格投入するアルミ車両 - 背景に軽量化 [JR Hokkaido moves forward with aluminium body construction with new 737 series]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 20 April 2023. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
^ abJR北海道、新型車両737系を報道公開 - 室蘭本線で運行へ、写真70枚 [JR Hokkaido shows of new Muroran Main Line 737 series to the press - 70 photos]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 19 April 2023. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
^"JR室蘭本線に新型737系導入 北海道初「通勤形ワンマン電車」 23年春運行開始" [JR Hokkaido to introduce new 737 series commuter trains on JR Muroran Line from spring 2023]. Traffic News (in Japanese). Japan: Mediavague Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
^"JR北海道，737系を導入 〜キハ143形などを置換えへ〜" [JR Hokkaido introduces 737 series to replace KiHa 143]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 17 August 2022. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
^ abcJR北海道「737系」公開 室蘭線で5月20日にデビューする新型車両をご紹介 [JR Hokkaido introduces new "737 series" model, scheduled to enter service on 20 May on the Muroran Line]. Tetsudo Channel (in Japanese). Japan: EXPRESS Co., Ltd. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
^鉄道チャンネル (16 December 2022). JR北海道、富良野線にH100形投入へ 新型737系電車は室蘭線で5月デビュー [JR Hokkaido to deploy H100 series sets on Furano Line local services, introduce new 737 series on Muroran Main Line in May]. Tetsudo Channel (in Japanese). Japan: EXPRESS Co., Ltd. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
^"JR北海道737系が甲種輸送される" [JR Hokkaido 737 series transported]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 29 November 2022. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
^"737系が4両編成で試運転" [737 Series Testing in a 4-Car Set]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 1 February 2023. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
^737系12両が甲種輸送される [12 737 series cars delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
^Harasawa, Akihiro (20 May 2023). JR北海道の737系が運行開始！ [JR Hokkaido's 737 series is now in operation!]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
^ abc"JR北海道の新型車両737系、姿を現す - 室蘭本線で2023年春運用開始" [JR Hokkaido's New Series 737 Train Appears - Operation Starts Spring 2023 on Muroran Main Line]. MyNavi News (in Japanese). 29 November 2022. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
^"JR北海道の新型「737」来年5月20日から キハ143形など更新で速達化も" [JR Hokkaido's new "737" from May 20, speed delivery with updates such as Kiha 143]. news.railway-pressnet.com (in Japanese). 16 December 2022. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
JR Hokkaido
