681 series

The 681 series (681系, 681-kei) is a dual-voltage electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) on limited express services in Japan.

681 series
A JR-West 681 series train on a Thunderbird service in April 2022
Manufacturer	Niigata Transys, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Hitachi
Constructed	1992 (Prototype set) 1995–1997
Entered service	1992
Refurbished	2015–2018
Scrapped	2015–
Number built	102 vehicles
Number in service	99 vehicles (as of 1 October 2015[update])[1]
Number scrapped	3 vehicles[1]
Formation	3/6 cars per trainset
Operators	JR-West (1992–) Hokuetsu Express (1997–2015)
Depots	Kyoto, Kanazawa
Lines served	Tokaido Main Line, Kosei Line, Hokuriku Main Line, Nanao Line, Shinetsu Main Line, Joetsu Line, Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Maximum speed	160 km/h (100 mph) (Hokuhoku Line)[2] 130 km/h (80 mph) (JR lines)
Traction system	Thyristor drive + Variable frequency (GTO)
Acceleration	1.8 km/h/s (1.2 mph/s)[3]
Deceleration	5.5 km/h/s (3.4 mph/s)[citation needed]
Electric system(s)	20 kV AC 60 Hz / 1,500 V DC overhead
Current collector(s)	WPS27C scissors-type pantograph
Braking system(s)	Regenerative brake, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, snow-resistant brake
Safety system(s)	ATS-SW, ATS-P
Multiple working	683 series
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Variants

681-0 series

Four six-car sets (T01–T03, T06) and five three-car sets (T11–T13, T15, T17) are used on Thunderbird services. These trains feature Thunderbird branding. Also four six-car sets (W01–W04) and four three-car sets (W11–W14) were used on Hakutaka services. These trains featured "White Wing" logos.^[4]

From February 2015, Hakutaka W sets began being repainted into the same livery as 683 series trainsets used on Shirasagi services, with thin blue and orange lines below the window band.^[5]

681-1000 series

The pre-series six-car set (T18) and one three-car set (T07) are used on Thunderbird services.^[4]

681-2000 series

Two six-car sets (N01–N02) and two three-car sets (N11–N12) were formerly used on Hokuetsu Express Hakutaka services. These trains featured "Snow Rabbit Express" logos.^[4]

• 
  JR-West Shirasagi livery (681-0 series)
• 
  Hokuetsu Express livery (681-2000 series)
• 
  Gangwayed cab car
• 
  A refurbished 681-0 series set

Interior

• 
  681-1000 series Standard-class saloon
• 
  681-0 series odd number car Standard-class saloon
• 
  681-0 series even number car Standard-class saloon
• 
  681-0 series Green car saloon

Refurbishment

All of the 681 series trainsets used on Thunderbird limited express services underwent a programme of refurbishment from autumn 2015 until the end of fiscal 2018.^[6]