The is a DC

electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a numbe ...

(EMU) train type operated by

West Japan Railway Company , also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group (JR Group) companies and operates in western Honshu. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka. It is listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is a constituent of the TOPIX Large70 index, and ...

(JR-West) in Japan on

limited express A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes. Japan The term "limited express" is a common ...

services such as the '' Kinosaki'' and '' Kounotori'' from Kyoto and Osaka since 12 March 2011. 287 series EMUs were introduced on ''

Kuroshio The , also known as the Black or or the is a north-flowing, warm ocean current on the west side of the North Pacific Ocean basin. It was named for the deep blue appearance of its waters. Similar to the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic, the K ...

'' services from the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012. A total of 97 vehicles were built. These consist of 46 vehicles for '' Kinosaki'', '' Kounotori'', ''

Maizuru is a city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 78,644 in 34817 households and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area of the city is . Geography Maizuru is located in northern Kyoto Pref ...

'', and ''

Hashidate The is a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Japan. One of the services making up JR West's "Big X Network", it connects Kyoto Station, Amanohashidate Station and Toyooka Station via the Sanin Mai ...

'' services, formed as seven 4-car sets and six 3-car sets, which will partially replace the ageing fleet of 86

183 series The was a Japanese limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) train type introduced in 1972 by Japanese National Railways (JNR). Following the privatization of JNR, the 183 series was operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West ...

vehicles currently used on these services. A further batch of 51 vehicles for ''

'' services consists of six 6-car sets and five 3-car sets, replacing older 381 series EMUs. These entered service from the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012.

Design

The trains are based on the earlier 683 series ''

Thunderbird Thunderbird, thunder bird or thunderbirds may refer to: * Thunderbird (mythology), a legendary creature in certain North American indigenous peoples' history and culture * Ford Thunderbird, a car Birds * Dromornithidae, extinct flightless birds ...

'' design with increased front-end crash protection and the inclusion of crushable zones for the first time on JR-West limited express rolling stock. Livery is similar to that used on 683 series ''Thunderbird'' sets, with a maroon stripe below the dark grey window band for the ''Kitakinki'' and ''Kōnotori'' trains, and "ocean green" for the ''Kuroshio'' trains. File:JRW WTR249A Series 287.jpg, WT249 trailer bogie on car KuMoHa 286-3

Formations

The various formations are configured as follows.

4-car ''Kinosaki''/''Kounotori''/''Hashidate'' sets

Sets FA01–07, based at Fukuchiyama Depot The KuMoHa 287 and MoHa 287 cars are each fitted with two WPS28C single-arm pantographs.

3-car ''Kinosaki''/''Kounotori''/''Maizuru''/''Hashidate'' sets

Sets FC01–06, based at Fukuchiyama Depot The KuMoHa 287 car is fitted with two WPS28C single-arm pantographs.

6-car ''Kuroshio'' sets

Sets HC601–606, based at Hineno Depot The KuMoHa 287 and MoHa 287 cars are each fitted with one WPS28C single-arm pantograph.

3-car ''Kuroshio'' sets

Sets HC631–635, based at Hineno Depot The KuMoHa 287 car is fitted with two WPS28C single-arm pantographs.

Interior

Internally, Green car (first class) accommodation is in 2+1 abreast configuration, and standard class is 2+2. All Green car seats have AC power outlets, and standard-class saloons have AC power outlets at either end of each car. The trains include

universal access Apple Universal Access is a component of the macOS operating system that provides computing abilities to people with visual impairment, hearing impairment, or physical disability. Components Universal Access is a preference pane of the Sys ...

toilets and also women-only toilets. File:JRW series287 greencar-inside.jpg, Green car saloon, August 2011 File:JRW series287 ordinarycar-inside.jpg, Standard-class saloon, August 2011

History

The first 3- and 4-car sets destined for ''Kinosaki'' and ''Kounotori'' services were unveiled to the media at

Kinki Sharyo is a Japanese manufacturer of railroad vehicles based in Osaka. It is an affiliate company of Kintetsu Corporation. In business since 1920 (as Tanaka Rolling Stock Works) and renamed The Kinki Sharyo Co., Ltd in 1945. They have produced light ...

's factory in Higashiōsaka, Osaka, on 26 November 2010, and delivered to JR-West on 29 November. The first 6-car set destined for ''Kuroshio'' services was unveiled to the media at Kinki Sharyo's factory on 4 August 2011. Test running commenced from 29 September 2011. The first set manufactured by

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (or simply Kawasaki) is a Japanese Public company, public multinational corporation manufacturer of motorcycles, engines, Heavy equipment (construction), heavy equipment, aerospace and Military, defense equipment, rolling stock and ships, headq ...

in Hyogo Prefecture, a 6-car ''Kuroshio'' set, was delivered in February 2012.

References

External links

JR-West 287 series ''Kounotori''

Kinki Sharyo 287 series information

(Japan Railfan Magazine Online) {{JR-West rolling stock West Japan Railway Company Electric multiple units of Japan Train-related introductions in 2011 1500 V DC multiple units of Japan Kawasaki multiple units Kinki Sharyo multiple units