209 series

The is an electric multiple unit (EMU) commuter train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in the Tokyo area of Japan since 1993.

The series was introduced in 1992 for experimental operations (as the 901 series) and in 1993 for commercial operations to replace the aging 103 series stock on the Keihin–Tōhoku and Negishi lines. The concept of the 209 series was to create a lower-cost, limited lifespan train (approximately 15 years) that would be replaced rather than rebuilt when they reached the end of their operational lives.

The 209 series was the first of the , and served as the basis for the E501, E217, 701, and E127 series rolling stock, as well as the succeeding E231 series stock, which in turn became the blueprint for successive trains developed by JR East and other railway companies in Japan.

Variants JR East / 209-500 series: 10-car set used on the Keiyō Line since 2008, and 8-car sets on the Musashino Line since 2010 209-2000/2100 series: 6/4-car sets converted from former Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line 209-0 series units, used on Narita Line, Sōbu Main Line, Sotobō Line, Tōgane Line, and Uchibō Line services since 2009 209-2200 series: 6-car set used from January 2018 as the Boso Bicycle Base 209-3500 series: 4-car sets converted from former Chūō–Sōbu Line 209-500 series units, used on the Kawagoe Line and Hachikō Line since 2018

Izukyū Corporation Izukyu 3000 series: 4-car set used on the Izu Kyūkō Line since 2022

Former operations / 209-0 series: 10-car sets used on the Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line from 1993 until January 2010, and 6-car sets on the Nambu Line until February 2015 / 209-500 series: 10-car sets used on the Chūō–Sōbu Line from 1998 until April 2019 and the Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line from 2001 to 2009 209-900/910/920 series: 10-car prototypes initially classified as 901 series used on the Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line 209-950 series: 10-car set used on the Chūō–Sōbu Line until it was redesignated as the E231-900 series / Two 209-1000 series 10-car sets used on the Jōban Line from 1999 until October 2018, then later on the Chūō Line (Rapid) (and occasionally the Ōme Line) from March 2019 until September 2024 209-2000/2100 series: 4-car sets used on the Kashima Line from 2009 until March 2021 209-2200 series: 6-car sets used on the Nambu Line from 2009 until March 2017 209-3000 series: 4-car sets used on the Kawagoe Line and Hachikō Line from March 1996 until February 2019 209-3100 series: 4-car sets converted from surplus TWR 70-000 series units, used on the Kawagoe Line and Hachikō Line from April 2005 until January 2022

209-0 series

The original full-production version introduced on both the Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi (78 ten-car sets numbered 1–78) and Nambu (2 six-car sets numbered 1 and 32) lines in 1993. Six-door SaHa 208 cars were inserted into the Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line sets in 1995.

The 209 series trains on the Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line were replaced by new E233-1000 series trains from autumn 2007, with the last sets withdrawn by 24 January 2010. A large number of these units were subsequently rebuilt as 209-2000/2100 series four-car and six-car sets for use in the Chiba area, while some were converted as training sets, MUE-Train, or 209-2200 series sets for the Nambu Line.

Formations

Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line 10-car sets Previously, 78 ten-car sets (1–78) were based at Urawa depot and were formed as shown below, with four motored ("M") cars and six non-powered trailer ("T") cars.

 ← ŌmiyaŌfuna →  Car No. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Designation Tc T M M' T' T M M' Tc' Numbering KuHa 209 SaHa 209 MoHa 209 MoHa 208 SaHa 208 SaHa 209 MoHa 209 MoHa 208 KuHa 208 Cars 3 and 8 were each equipped with one PS28 pantograph. Car 6 was a "6-door" car with six pairs of doors on each side.

Nambu Line 6-car sets Previously, two six-car sets (1 and 32) were based at Nakahara Depot and were formed as shown below, with four motored ("M") cars and two non-powered trailer ("T") cars.

 ← KawasakiTachikawa →    Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Designation Tc M M' M M' Tc' Numbering KuHa 209 MoHa 209 MoHa 208 MoHa 209 MoHa 208 KuHa 208 Cars 2 and 4 were each equipped with one PS28 lozenge-type pantograph.

209-500 series

This sub-series represented a stop-gap for use from 1998 on the Chūō–Sōbu Line until the full-production E231 series trains were delivered, and a total of 17 ten-car sets (numbered 51–67) were delivered to Narashino Depot in Chiba. These sets differ noticeably from the other 209 series variants in having wide cars (compared to for earlier flat-sided stock), as well as LED destination indicators, replacing the earlier roller blind type. While externally similar in appearance to the later E231 series sets, the 209-500 series are distinguishable by their white cab fronts and lack of six-door cars.

In November 2000, two sets (66 and 67) were transferred to the Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line and renumbered 80 and 81. In December 2003, the Chūō–Sōbu Line sets were reallocated to Mitaka Depot and renumbered 501–515. Between 2005 and 2006, set 515 was lent to the Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line as a spare during car maintenance. Between 2006 and 2007, three more sets (513–515) were transferred to the Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line to replace the prototype 209-900/910/920 series trains and renumbered 82–84. From October 2008, following the introduction of E233-1000 series trains on the Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line, one set (80) was transferred back to the Chūō–Sōbu Line (as set 516) while the other four sets (81–84) were modified (with ATS-P/SN instead of ATC) and transferred to the Keiyō Line (as sets 31–34).

From September 2010 to January 2011, three former Keiyō Line sets (31–33) were reduced to eight cars and reliveried for use on the Musashino Line, renumbered M71–M73, and entered service from 4 December 2010. In 2012, a "C" suffix was added to all Chūō–Sōbu Line sets (C501–C512 and C516).

From 2018, five Chūō–Sōbu Line sets (C501–C505) were converted to 4-car 209-3500 series sets for use on Kawagoe Line and Hachikō Line services, while the remaining eight sets (C506–C512 and C516) were reduced to 8 cars and reallocated to the Musashino Line and renumbered M74–M77 and M81–M84. The last Chūō–Sōbu Line set, set C511, was withdrawn from service on 19 April 2019.

All sets were refurbished between 2016 and 2019, when the GTO-VVVF traction system was replaced with an IGBT-VVVF traction system.

Set transfer history The following table shows the transfer history for each of the 17 sets.

1998–20182018–present501–505(5 sets) Chūō–Sōbu Line51–55→501–505→C501–C505Converted to 209-3500 series for Hachikō/Kawagoe Line1999–20182018–present506–509(4 sets) Chūō–Sōbu Line56–59→506–509→C506–C509 Musashino LineM81–M841999–20192019–present510–512(3 sets) Chūō–Sōbu Line60–62→510–512→C510–C512 Musashino LineM75–M772000–20062006–20082008–20102010–present513–514(2 sets) Chūō–Sōbu Line63–64→513–514 Keihin–Tōhoku Line82–83 Keiyō Line31–32 Musashino LineM71–M722000–20052005–200620062006–20082008–20102010–present515 Chūō–Sōbu Line65→515 Keihin–Tōhoku Line515 Chūō–Sōbu Line515 Keihin–Tōhoku Line84 Keiyō Line33 Musashino LineM7320002001–20092009–20182018–present516 Chūō–Sōbu Line66 Keihin–Tōhoku Line80 Chūō–Sōbu Line516→C516 Musashino LineM7420002001–20082009–present517 Chūō–Sōbu Line67 Keihin–Tōhoku Line81 Keiyō Line34

Formations

10-car sets , one set (34) is allocated to Keiyō Depot for use on the Keiyō Line (and through services to the Sotobō and Uchibō Lines). The set is formed as follows with four motored ("M") cars and six non-powered trailer ("T") cars.

 ← Kazusa-Minato, Kazusa-Ichinomiya, Kimitsu, SogaTokyo →  Car No. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Designation Tc T M M' T M M' Tc' Numbering KuHa 209-500 SaHa 209-500 MoHa 209-500 MoHa 208-500 SaHa 209-500 MoHa 209-500 MoHa 208-500 KuHa 208-500 Cars 3 and 8 each have one single-arm pantograph. Cars 1 and 10 have a wheelchair space. Car 4 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.

8-car sets , 11 eight-car sets (M71 to M77, M81 to M84) were allocated to Keiyō Depot for use on Musashino Line (and through services to the Keiyō Line). These sets are formed as follows with four motored ("M") cars and four non-powered trailer ("T") cars.

 ← Tokyo, Kaihinmakuhari, Nishi-FunabashiFuchūhommachi →    Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Designation Tc M M' T M M' Tc' Numbering KuHa 209-500 MoHa 209-500 MoHa 208-500 SaHa 209-500 MoHa 209-500 MoHa 208-500 KuHa 208-500 Cars 2 and 6 each have one pantograph (single-arm on sets M71–M77, lozenge-type on sets M81– M84). Cars 1 and 8 have a wheelchair space. Car 4 is designated as a mildly air-conditioned car.

Previous formations

Chūō–Sōbu Line 10-car sets (1998 to 2019)

 ← Chiba, TsudanumaNakano, Mitaka →  Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Designation Tc T M M' T M M' Tc' Numbering KuHa 209-500 SaHa 209-500 MoHa 209-500 MoHa 208-500 SaHa 209-500 MoHa 209-500 MoHa 208-500 KuHa 208-500

Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line 10-car sets (2001 to 2009)

 ← ŌmiyaŌfuna →  Car No. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Designation Tc T M M' T M M' Tc' Numbering KuHa 209-500 SaHa 209-500 MoHa 209-500 MoHa 208-500 SaHa 209-500 MoHa 209-500 MoHa 208-500 KuHa 208-500

209-900/910/920 series

Three ten-car prototypes were built in 1992 for testing and passenger evaluation on the Keihin–Tōhoku—Negishi Line, initially classified as 901 series. Set A was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, set B by Tokyu Car Corporation, and set C was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and JR East's Ōfuna factory (cars 4 and 5). The three sets incorporated a number of different design features for evaluation, but were converted in 1994 to bring them in line with the full-production specifications. Set A became 209-900 series set 90, set B became 209-910 series set 91, and set C became 209-920 series set 92. They differed from the full-production 209-0 series sets in not having six-door SaHa 208 cars.

209-910 series set 91 was withdrawn in December 2006, and the last of the three prototype sets, set 90, was withdrawn in August 2007. Car KuHa 209-901 from the original 901 series set A was stored at Nagano Works, and later preserved at Tōkyō General Rolling Stock Center.

Formation  ← ŌmiyaŌfuna →  Car No. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Designation Tc T M M' T M M' Tc' Numbering (1992 to 1994) KuHa 901 SaHa 901 MoHa 901 MoHa 900 SaHa 901 MoHa 901 MoHa 900 KuHa 900Numbering (1994 to 2007) KuHa 209-900 SaHa 209-900 MoHa 209-900 MoHa 208-900 SaHa 208-900 SaHa 209-900 MoHa 209-900 MoHa 208-900 KuHa 208-900 KuHa 209-910 SaHa 209-910 MoHa 209-910 MoHa 208-910 SaHa 208-910 SaHa 209-910 MoHa 209-910 MoHa 208-910 KuHa 208-910 KuHa 209-920 SaHa 209-920 MoHa 209-920 MoHa 208-920 SaHa 208-920 SaHa 209-920 MoHa 209-920 MoHa 208-920 KuHa 208-920

209-950 series

This was the original classification given to the prototype E231 series 10-car set delivered in October 1998, to test out the then-new insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) traction system and TIMS passenger information system. It was reclassified as E231-900 series in June 2000 following conversion to the full-production E231 standard.

209-1000 series

Two 10-car sets (81 and 82) were delivered from Tokyu Car Corporation in August and September 1999, entering service from 4 December 1999 on Jōban Line and Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line inter-running services. Based on the 209-0 series, these trains have end doors for use in emergencies inside tunnels. These sets were based at JR East's Matsudo depot. These train sets have since been withdrawn from the Jōban Line in October 2018 and reallocated to the Chūō Line (Rapid) in December 2018, being based at JR East's Toyoda Depot after the reallocation. Operations officially started on the Chūō Line in March 2019.