YC1 series

The YC1 series (YC1系) is a hybrid diesel-electric multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) in Japan since 14 March 2020. One two-car train was delivered in June 2018^[2] for testing in preparation for full production and entry into revenue service.^[3]

YC1 series
YC1 series train in January 2023
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Built at	Hyōgo
Family name	hybrid efACE
Replaced	KiHa 66/67
Constructed	2018–
Entered service	14 March 2020
Number in service	32 vehicles (as of November 2020[update])
Formation	2 cars per trainset
Capacity	232 (76 seated)
Operators	JR Kyushu
Depots	Sasebo
Lines served	Nagasaki Main Line[1] Omura Line[1] Sasebo Line[1]
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Doors	3 pairs per side
Maximum speed	110 km/h (68 mph)
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Interior

The interior features LED lighting and four-language passenger information displays. Seating consists of a mix of longitudinal seating and seating bays.^[2]

• 
  Interior
• 
  Longitudinal seating
• 
  Transverse seating bay

Technical specifications

The car bodies are made out of stainless steel.^[2] The train is equipped with a storage battery, which can be charged with the regenerated power from braking. JR Kyushu reports that the hybrid system consumes 20% less fuel than the diesel-hydraulic KiHa 66 and 67 trains, which were envisaged to be replaced by the YC1 series.^[2][4]

History

The first set, a 2-car set, was delivered in June 2018,^[5] and is based at Sasebo depot. The set was used in a test run on the Nagasaki Main Line and Sasebo Line in March 2019.^[6] Revenue service began on 14 March 2020.^[7] Throughout 2020, twenty-four YC1 series cars were delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries' Hyogo plant.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Since 23 September 2022, a majority of Nagasaki Main Line local and rapid services have been operated using YC1 series trains.^[1]