The 721 series (721系) is an AC electric multiple unit (EMU) operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on Sapporo area suburban services in Hokkaido, Japan since 1988.[2]

721 series
Set F-4103, August 2024
In service1988–Present
ManufacturerHitachi, JR Hokkaido, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Tokyu Car
Constructed1988–2003
Scrapped2023–
Number built135 vehicles (34 sets)
Number in service126 vehicles (31 sets)
Formation3/6 cars per trainset
OperatorsThe logo of Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). JR Hokkaido
DepotsSapporo
Lines servedHakodate Main Line, Chitose Line
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Car length21,670 mm (71 ft 1 in) (end cars)
21,300 mm (69 ft 11 in) (intermediate cars)
Width2,954 mm (9 ft 8.3 in)
Height4,090 mm (13 ft 5 in)
Doors3 per side
Maximum speed130 km/h (81 mph)
Traction systemThyristor drive (1st-5th batch)
GTOVVVF (6th-7th batch)
IGBT–VVVF (8th batch)[1]
Electric system(s)20 kV 50 Hz AC (overhead line)
Safety system(s)ATS-DN
Multiple working731 series, 733 series, 735 series
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Design

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The trains were built jointly by Hitachi, JR Hokkaido (Naebo Factory), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Tokyu Car (Yokohama).[3]

Fleet

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As of 1 April 2012, the fleet consists of 135 vehicles, formed as 23 3-car sets and 11 6-car sets.[4]

Variants

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  • 721-0 series
  • 721-1000 series
  • 721-2000 series
  • 721-3000 series
  • 721-4000 series
  • 721-5000 series

Withdrawal

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Withdrawals of the 721 series commenced in 2023 with 721-3000 series set F-3016 being scrapped as of August.[5] This continued the following year with sets F-4 and F-3015 being sent to Naebo for scrapping in April 2024.[6][7]

In April 2024, JR Hokkaido announced that it will replace the 721 series with additional 733 series trains on Chitose Line Airport services.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "新車ガイド1:全室「uシート」化改造車とともに導入 721系8次車". 鉄道ファン. 43 (12). Koyusha: 64–69. 1 December 2003.
  2. ^ JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. pp. 312–318. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
  3. ^ Saka, Masahiro (March 2014). "JR第1世代の車両・現況と概要" [JR 1st-generation rolling stock: Current situation and overview]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). 43 (359): 22.
  4. ^ JR電車編成表 2012夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2012]. Japan: JRR. May 2012. pp. 6–7. ISBN 978-4-330-28612-9.
  5. ^ "【もうそんな時代か…】721系の解体を開始【JR北海道】" [[Is it that time already?] Dismantling of 721 series begins [JR Hokkaido]]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  6. ^ "【解体待ちか?】721系F-4編成苗穂工場入場" [[Awaiting demolition?] 721 series set F-4 entered Naebo factory]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  7. ^ "【JR北海道】721系F-3015編成が苗穂工場へ廃車入場" [[JR Hokkaido] 721 series set F-3015 enters Naebo factory for scrapping]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  8. ^ JR北海道、733系増備で721系置換え - 新幹線札幌開業後に速達化も [JR Hokkaido to replace 721 series with additional 733 series trains - Speeding up service after opening of Sapporo Shinkansen line]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 4 April 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.