JR West 223 Series / JR西日本223系

The 223 Series (223系) is a mass produced commuter EMU of JR West.

Developed for the Keihanshin urban network , the 223 series is the most numerous type within JR West’s fleet. With a top speed of 130km/h it was introduced on the Tōkaidō-San’yo Line new rapid service to reduce travel times. A number of variants were produced from 1994 to 2008, with the total number of cars being 927. Convertible cross seats are installed in the interior, although the exact layout depends on the variant and specific operational needs. The type is commonly seen across the Kansai region, including services on the Hanwa Line, Fuku-chiyama Line, and Osaka Loop Line. Most variants are arranged in sets of 4, 6 or 8 depending on place of input, and almost all vehicles had a fall prevention barrier installed after an a passenger fell through the gap in between two coupled front cars. Although there is also a 2-car variant in the Okayama area running as Marine Liner to Shikoku as well as other local lines.

Basic Information:

Max Speed: 130km/h, 120km/h (0, 5500 series)
Acceleration: 0.69m/s/s, 0.58m/s/s (5500 series)
Motor Output: 220kW x 4 per car, 230kW x 4 per car (0, 5500 series)
Seating: cross, semi-cross (5500 series)

The following formations are included:

223-0 Series (4 Car)

Configuration: 2M2T
Max Pax: 823
In Service: 1994-

223-1000 Series (4 Car)

Configuration: 2M2T
Max Pax: 816
In Service: 1995-

223-1000 Series (8 Car)

Configuration: 3M5T
Max Pax: 1667
In Service: 1995-

223-2000 Series (4 Car)

Configuration: 2M2T
Max Pax: 832
In Service: 1999-

223-2000 Series (6 Car)

Configuration: 2M4T
Max Pax: 1268
In Service: 1999-

223-2000 Series (8 Car)

Configuration: 3M5T
Max Pax: 1704
In Service: 1999-

223-5000 Series (2 Car)

Configuration: 1M1T
Max Pax: 396
In Service: 2003-
-can be coupled up to 3 sets

223-5500 Series (2 Car)

Configuration: 1M1T
Max Pax: 454
In Service: 2008-
-can be coupled up to 3 sets