E129 series

The E129 series (E129系) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on local services in the Niigata area since 6 December 2014.

E129 series
Set A6 in July 2022
Manufacturer	J-TREC
Built at	Niitsu
Family name	sustina
Replaced	115 series
Constructed	2014–2018, 2022–present
Entered service	6 December 2014
Number built	176 vehicles (62 sets)
Number in service	172 vehicles (61 sets) (as of 7 March 2022[update])
Formation	2/4 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	A1–A34, B1–B27
Operators	JR East
Depots	Niigata
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	19,570 mm (64 ft 2 in) (end cars) 19,500 mm (64 ft 0 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Height	3,620 mm (11 ft 11 in)
Floor height	1,130 mm (3 ft 8 in)
Doors	3 pairs per side
Maximum speed	110 km/h (68 mph)
Traction system	Variable frequency (IGBT)
Acceleration	2.0 km/(h⋅s) (1.2 mph/s)
Deceleration	3.6 km/(h⋅s) (2.2 mph/s)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Current collection	Overhead catenary
Bogies	DT71 (motored) TR255 (trailer)
Safety system(s)	ATS-P, ATS-Ps
Multiple working	E127 series, under emergency conditions
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Design

Built at the J-TREC factory in Niitsu, Niigata, the stainless steel body and "universal design" interior is derived from the E233 series commuter EMU.^[1] Externally, trains are finished in a livery with "golden yellow" (黄金イエロー) and "toki pink" (朱鷺ピンク) stripes.^[1] The trains have a maximum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph).^[1]

Operations

Operations in Niigata area

E129 series trains operate on the following lines,^[2] completely replacing older 115 series sets by around 2017.^[3][4]

• Joetsu Line (Minakami – Nagaoka)
• Shinetsu Main Line (Naoetsu – Niigata)
• Uetsu Main Line (Niitsu – Murakami)
• Hakushin Line (Niigata – Shibata)
• Echigo Line (Kashiwazaki – Niigata)
• Yahiko Line (Higashi-Sanjō – Yahiko)

The E129 series trains can operated in multiple, to form 2+2, 2+4, and 2+2+2 formations, but do not operate in multiple with E127 series trains except in emergencies.^[1]

Fleet

As of 8 March 2022,^[update] the E129 series fleet consists of 34 two-car sets (68 vehicles) numbered A1 to A34 and 27 four-car sets (108 vehicles) numbered B1 to B27. All sets are based at Niigata Depot.^[1]

Formations

2-car sets A1-A32

The two-car sets, A1 to A32, consist of two motored cars, each with one powered bogie, and are formed as shown below.^[1]

Designation	Mc-100	Mc'-100
Numbering	KuMoHa E129-100	KuMoHa E128-100
Weight (t)	37.2	37.2
Capacity (total/seated)	140/50	133/46

• The KuMoHa E129-100 car is fitted with a PS33G single-arm pantograph (cars KuMoHa E129-123 to KuMoHa E129-130 have two pantographs, and weigh 37.4 t).^[1]
• The KuMoHa E128-100 car has a universal access toilet.^[1]

4-car sets B1-B26

The four-car sets, B1 to B26, consist of four motored cars, each with one powered bogie, and are formed as shown below.^[1]

Designation	Mc-0	M'-0	M-0	Mc'-0
Numbering	KuMoHa E129	MoHa E128	MoHa E129	KuMoHa E128
Weight (t)	37.2	31.6	32.7	37.0
Capacity (total/seated)	140/50	154/60	154/60	133/46

• The KuMoHa E129 and MoHa E129 cars are each fitted with one PS33G single-arm pantograph.^[1]
• The KuMoHa E128 car has a universal access toilet.^[1]

Interior

Passenger accommodation consists of a mix of transverse seating bays and longitudinal bench seating.^[1] LED lighting is used throughout.^[1] Longitudinal seats have a width of 460 mm (1 ft 6 in) per person, 1 cm (0.39 in) wider than for the earlier E127 series trains, and the seating pitch for transverse seating bays is 540 mm (1 ft 9 in), approximately 11 cm (4.3 in) wider than E233 series trains.^[1] Floor height is 1,130 mm (3 ft 8 in), the same as for E127 series trains, and lower than the 1,225 mm (4 ft 0.2 in) floor height of 115 series trains.^[1]

• 
  Interior view
• 
  Longitudinal bench seating
• 
  A transverse seating bay
• 
  Driver's cab

History

Initial details of the new trains were announced by JR East in July 2013.^[3] The first two two-car sets, A1 and A2, were delivered on 8 October 2014, with test-running commencing the same day.^[5]

The first trains entered revenue service on 6 December 2014.^[6]

Fleet details

As of 31 December 2017^[update], the fleet is as follows.^[7]

2-car sets

Set No.	Date delivered
A1	17 October 2014
A2
A3
A4	23 October 2014
A5	7 November 2014
A6	21 November 2014
A7	8 December 2014
A8	22 December 2014
A9	15 January 2015
A10	28 January 2015
A11	27 February 2015
A12
A13	20 April 2015
A14
A15	21 May 2015
A16
A17	18 June 2015
A18
A19	16 July 2015
A20
A21	20 August 2015
A22
A23	15 September 2015
A24
A25	16 October 2015
A26
A27	11 November 2015
A28
A29	2 December 2015
A30	1 February 2016
A31	11 December 2017[8]
A32	26 December 2017[8]
A33	February 2022[9]
A34	2022[10]

4-car sets

Set No.	Date delivered
B1	28 January 2016
B2	29 January 2016
B3	1 February 2016
B4	5 February 2016
B5	15 February 2016
B6	19 February 2016
B7	26 February 2016
B8	4 March 2016
B9	10 March 2016
B10	17 March 2016
B11	24 March 2016
B12	31 March 2016
B13	9 June 2016
B14	21 June 2016
B15	1 July 2016
B16	13 July 2016
B17	27 July 2016
B18	5 August 2016
B19	22 August 2016
B20	1 September 2016
B21	13 September 2016
B22	26 September 2016
B23	27 January 2017
B24	6 February 2017
B25	14 February 2017
B26	2018
B27	2022[10]

Derivatives

Delivery of three two-car SR1 series (SR1系) sets from J-TREC in Niitsu began in March 2020. They are derived from the E129 series and are scheduled to replace the 115 series currently operated by Shinano Railway.^[11] These trains were put into service of rapid trains operated by Shinano Railway starting from 4 July 2020.^[12]

• 
  SR1 series set S101 in February 2022
• 
  SR1 series set S204 in February 2022