271 series

The 271 series (271系, 271-kei) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) on Haruka limited express services to and from Kansai International Airport.^[1]

271 series
Set HA654 at Kyoto Station in November 2019
In service	March 2020 - Present
Manufacturer	Kinki Sharyo
Family name	Haruka
Constructed	2019–2020
Entered service	14 March 2020
Number built	18 cars (6 sets)
Number in service	18 cars (6 sets)
Formation	3 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	HA651 – HA656
Operators	JR West
Specifications
Maximum speed	130 km/h (81 mph)
Traction system	Variable frequency (SiC-MOSFET)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead lines
Current collector(s)	WPS28E single-arm pantograph
Safety system(s)	ATS-SW・P and Dead man's switch
Multiple working	281 series
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Design

The trains inherit some of design elements of the 281 series currently used on Haruka services, such as its livery, the Haruka branding and the "square dot" logos.^[1]

• 
  Haruka branding on a 271 series train

Formations

The trains are formed as three-car sets, and operate coupled with the existing 281 series sets to form as nine-car train services.^[2] The 271 series trains are formed as follows.^[3]

Car	End car	Intermediate car	End car
Designation	KuMoHa 271	MoHa 270	KuMoHa 270

The KuMoHa 271 car is fitted with one WPS28E single-arm pantograph.

Interior

The interior features a 2+2 seating arrangement with rotating and reclining seats, AC power outlets on all seats, as well as dedicated luggage spaces. Multilingual passenger informations are provided on displays above the doors.^[2]

• 
  Interior
• 
  Passenger information displays
• 
  Luggage racks

History

On 21 June 2019 JR West announced the introduction of new 271 series trains on Haruka limited express services.^[4] The order for 18 cars was worth 6 billion yen. The first train was unveiled at the Kinki Sharyo head office on 10 July 2019.^[2] The trains entered revenue service on 14 March 2020,^[5] but due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent drop of air travelers, JR West decided to postpone lengthening the Haruka trains to nine cars.^{[citation needed]}

Currently, all Haruka trains are still formed in six car sets, with nine-car services intended to resume when air travel goes back to normal.^[6] The sets re-entered service on 13 March 2021 with the introduction of that year's revised timetable when various Haruka sets resumed 9-car operation.^{[citation needed]}