HC85 series
HC85 series at Nagoya Station in July 2022
In service1 July 2022 – present
ManufacturerNippon Sharyo
Built atToyokawa
ReplacedKiHa 85 series
Constructed2019, 2022–
Number under construction6 vehicles
Number built
  • 50 vehicles
    • 10 × 4-car
    • 9 × 2-car
Formation2/4 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers
  • D1– (4-car sets)
  • D101– (2-car sets)
  • D201– (monoclass 4-car sets)
OperatorsThe logo of the Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central). JR Central
DepotsNagoya
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length21,300 mm (69 ft 11 in)[1]
Width2,918 mm (9 ft 6.9 in)[1]
Height
  • 3,750 mm (12 ft 4 in) (end cars)[1]
  • 3,640 mm (11 ft 11 in) (intermediate cars)[1]
Doors1 pair per side
Maximum speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction systemVariable-frequency[2]
Engine typeDiesel, straight-six[2]
Traction motorsPermanent-magnet synchronous motor[2]
Power output336 kW (450 hp) per engine[2]
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Notes/references
This train won the 66th Blue Ribbon Award in 2023.

The HC85 series (HC85系, HC85-kei) is a diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) train type built by Nippon Sharyo for use on limited express services operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central). Intended to replace the KiHa 85 series,[3] a prototype trainset was completed in late 2019, with a full-production fleet first materializing in 2022. The fleet was first introduced into service on 1 July 2022 on the Takayama Main Line.

Design

The first set was manufactured by Nippon Sharyo at its Toyokawa facility.[4] JR Central calls it a "hybrid car", due to the train having electric engines, with power supplied by an onboard diesel generator. While this type of train is widespread in Europe, it is fairly novel in Japan.[5]

Formation

The sets are formed as follows.[2]

4-car sets (Green car accommodation)
Designation Mc1 M1 M2 Msc
Numbering KuMoHa 85-0 MoHa 84-0 MoHa 84-100 KuMoRo 85-0
Capacity 56 50 68 36
4-car sets (standard class only)
Designation Mc1 M1 M2 Mc4
Numbering KuMoHa 85-0 MoHa 84-0 MoHa 84-100 KuMoHa 85-300
Capacity 56 50 68 44
2-car sets
Designation Mc2 Mc3
Numbering KuMoHa 85-100 KuMoHa 85-200
Capacity 56 40


Interior

Seating across all cars consists primarily of 2+2 abreast seating.[6] Also included are power outlets for all seats, free Wi-Fi,[7] and universal-access toilets.[8] The standard-class interior's seats use a seat moquette of a red–orange gradient, inspired by the autumn leaves alongside the line. Wheelchair spaces are also provided.[6]

Green cars, which are only available on some four-car sets,[6] incorporate a theme of calmness and quality. The seats use seat moquette with a blue–green gradient, inspired by the greenery alongside the railway line, as well as the river and the sky at dusk.[8]

History

The first set was unveiled in December 2019.[1] The set has since been deployed on test runs.[9]

Mass production commenced during fiscal 2022, with test runs for the first two production sets, D2 and D3, commencing on 21 April 2022.[10] A total of 64 vehicles are to be built by fiscal 2023, and the prototype set is due to be upgraded to mass-production standards.[11]

The fleet entered service on 1 July 2022,[12] operating on Hida limited-express services on the Takayama Main Line[13] between Nagoya and Takayama.[14] From 18 March 2023, all Hida services used HC85 series trainsets.[15] JR Central introduced the fleet on Nanki limited-express services on the Kisei Main Line[16] from 1 July 2023.[17]

The HC85 series received the 2023 Blue Ribbon Award, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.[18]

Fleet details

4-car sets
Set No. Manufacturer Built Remarks
D1 Nippon Sharyo 2019 Prototype set
D2 2022 First production sets[10]
D3 2022
D4 2022[19]
D5 2022[20]
D6 2022[21]
D7 2022[22]
D8 2022[23]
D201 January 2023 Standard class only[24]
D202
2-car sets
Set No. Manufacturer Built Remarks
D101 Nippon Sharyo 2022[19]
D102 2022[20]
D103 2022[23]
D104 December 2022[25]
D105
D106[26]
D108 2023[27]
D109
D110

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Fukuoka, Makoto (12 December 2019). "JR東海のハイブリッド特急車両「HC85系」お披露目" [JR Central hybrid limited express train "HC85 series" unveiled]. Tetsudo Shimbun (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e "東海旅客鉄道(株)殿向け HC85系". n-sharyo.co.jp (in Japanese). Nippon Sharyo, Ltd. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  3. ^ "東芝インフラシステムズ，HC85系試験走行車向け新形ハイブリッドシステムを納入" [Toshiba Infrastructure Systems supplies new hybrid system for HC85 series test vehicle]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 14 December 2019. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  4. ^ "HC85系試験走行車が登場". Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 5 December 2019. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  5. ^ "HC85系 次世代の特急「ひだ」「南紀」を見据え登場の「発電機搭載電車」" [Next-generation HC85 series "train with generator" to be used on limited express "Hida" and "Nanki" services]. trafficnews.jp (in Japanese). Mediavague Co., ltd. 12 December 2019. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  6. ^ a b c 7月1日「ひだ」でデビュー！ JR東海HC85系量産車はどこが変わった？ [To debut on 1 July on Hida! What has changed with JR Central's full-production HC85 series sets?]. Rail Magazine. Japan: Neko Publishing. 20 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  7. ^ 木下健児 (20 January 2021). "JR東海HC85系、量産車を投入へ - ハイブリッド方式の次期特急車両". news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  8. ^ a b JR東海、新型特急車両HC85系の試乗会 - 特急「ひだ」で7/1デビュー [JR Central test drives new HC85 series limited express trains - debut on 1 July on Hida limited-express services]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 24 May 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  9. ^ "【JR海】HC85系D1編成、本線試運転を実施". rail.hobidas.com (in Japanese). Neko Publishing. 17 July 2020. Archived from the original on 18 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  10. ^ a b "HC85系量産車が出場" [HC85 series mass-production sets on test]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 22 April 2022. Archived from the original on 23 April 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  11. ^ "パンタグラフがない"電車"…JR東海の次期特急型HC85系、2022年度から量産へ" ["Train" without pantograph ... JR Central's new HC85 series limited-express vehicle to be mass-produced from fiscal 2022]. Response Automotive Media (in Japanese). IID, Inc. 21 January 2021. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  12. ^ HC85系が営業運転を開始 [HC85 series starts commercial operation]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 4 July 2022. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  13. ^ JR東海HC85系「ひだ」7/1から名古屋～高山間の上下各2本で運転開始 [JR Central HC85 series to operate on Hida limited-express services from 1 July]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 20 May 2022. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  14. ^ "JR東海，12月1日からHC85系を追加投入 〜富山発着の"ひだ"3号・14号に充当〜" [JR Central to launch additional HC85 series from 1 December]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 23 August 2022. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  15. ^ 特急“ひだ”全列車がHC85系に置き換えられる [All limited express "Hida" trains replaced by HC85 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 18 March 2023. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  16. ^ 新型HC85系の量産車、出荷へ 先行車との違いは？ 今後は特急「南紀」にも導入 [New HC85 series full-production cars, what are the differences from the prototype?]. Traffic News (in Japanese). Japan: Mediavague Co., Ltd. 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 12 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  17. ^ "特急"南紀"，HC85系での運転に" [HC85 Series Begins Operation on "Nanki" Services]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 4 July 2023. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  18. ^ 2023年ブルーリボン賞・ローレル賞決定 [2023 Blue Ribbon Award and Laurel Prize recipients announced]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 25 May 2023. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  19. ^ a b HC85系D4編成（4両），D101編成（2両）が出場 [HC85 series sets D4 (4 cars) and D101 (2 cars) on test]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 27 May 2022. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  20. ^ a b HC85系D5編成（4両），D102編成（2両）が登場 [HC85 series sets D5 (4 cars) and D102 (2 cars) on test]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 10 June 2022. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  21. ^ HC85系D6編成が登場 [HC85 series set D6 on test]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 9 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  22. ^ "HC85系D7編成が紀勢本線を走行" [HC85 series set D7 runs on the Kisei main line]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 1 October 2022. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  23. ^ a b "HC85系D8編成，D103編成が登場" [HC85 series sets D8 and D103 appear]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 14 October 2022. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  24. ^ HC85系D201・D202編成が登場 東海道本線・高山本線で試運転を実施 [HC85 series sets D201 and D202 commissioned on Tokaido and Takayama main lines]. 鉄道ファン・railf.jp (in Japanese). 26 January 2023. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  25. ^ HC85系D104編成・D105編成が登場 [HC85 series sets D104 and D105 on test]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  26. ^ "臨時特急"Hello！ New NANKIウォーキング"号運転" [Temporary Limited Express "Hello! New NANKI Uōkingu"]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 21 May 2023. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  27. ^ "HC85系D108〜D110編成が登場" [Introduction of HC85 Series D108 to D110]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 7 July 2023. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.

External links

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