125 series


The 125 series is a single-car DC electric multiple unit train type operated by West Japan Railway Company on local services in Japan since March 2003.

Design

The 125 series design is based on the 223-2000 series EMU design, with stainless bodies and steel front ends.
The cars have two pairs of sliding doors on each side, with provision for a third set of doors in the centre.
The second-batch cars delivered in 2003 differ from the earlier batch by having enlarged front-end skirts and darker grey tinted windows.

Operations

The 125 series is used on wanman driver-only operation services, primarily on the Obama Line and Kakogawa Line.
Up to five single cars can be operated together as a multiple car set.

Formation

DesignationcMc
NumberingKuMoHa 125
Capacity
31/86
Weight40.5 t

Cars KuMoHa 125-7/8/11/12 are equipped with a second de-icing pantograph.

Interior

Passenger accommodation consists of longitudinal bench seating at the ends, and 2+2 abreast transverse reversible seating in the centre of the cars. The first two batches of cars were delivered with 1+2 abreast seating, but this was increased to 2+2 seating during 2003 and 2004.

History

The first eight cars were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in December 2002 for entry into service from 15 March 2003 on the newly electrified 84.3 km Obama Line between and. These sets were initially allocated to Fukuchiyama Depot, but were subsequently transferred to Tsuruga Depot.
Four more cars were built in September 2004 for entry into service from 19 December 2004 on the newly electrified 48.5 km Kakogawa Line between and.
A further six cars were built in September 2006 to coincide with the conversion of Tsuruga area services from 20 kV AC to 1,500 DC electrification from 21 October 2006.