BEC819 series


The []BEC819 series, branded "DENCHA", is a two-car battery electric multiple unit train operated by Kyushu Railway Company on inter-running services over the Fukuhoku Yutaka Line and Chikuhō Main Line in Fukuoka Prefecture in northern Kyushu, Japan, since October 2016, and also on the Kashii Line.

Background

The JNR KiHa 40 series, based on Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), were run by JR Kyushu's non-electrified railway system areas of which, a section within city yet comparably short-distance's railtracks. JR Kyushu aimed to replace the KiHa 40 series which lead to the creation of the BEC 819 series. Chikuhō Main Line were the first of the railines to implement this series.
This was due to Chikuhō Main Line being considered suitable in terms of "route length for battery capacity that could be installed for battery-powered operation," and also because the Kitakyushu City aims to become a "World Environmental Capital," leading to the introduction on the Wakamatsu Line, which runs within the city.
The modified prototype cars, converted from the 817 series—the world's first battery electric train operating under an AC electrification system— the train was produced as a practical, mass-production vehicle. Although the car body and passenger facilities are based on the 817-200 series, feedback from the 305 series cars have been incorporated.
In November, 2014, JR Kyushu publically announced placing BEC 819 series into service.
On 29 January 2016, they announced details. The task of cars's paint and interior designs were going to be handled by Eiji Mitooka (水戸岡鋭治), who which were responsible for many JR Kyushu trains.
On 24 May 2017, they received the 60th Blue Ribbon Award from the Japanese Railfan club.
As a derivative variant, East Japan Railway Company introduced the EV-E801 series, based on thus series with adaptation for cold and snow resistance.

Feedback from Battery-powered test trains

From 2012 to 2013, there were testing conducted on a modified 817-1000 series train and the following were identified:
  1. As a modified train based on existing EMU, there were not enough space given under-floor which houses main circuit batteries, resulting in insufficient battery capacity.
  2. If the pantograph folding height were the same as that of a conventional electric train, there were risk of interference with narrow tunnels located on non-electrified sections.
  3. The interior lighting would momentary lose power when switching between the drive mode for electrified and non-electrified.
  4. During a non-electrified section, there is a risk of accidentally leaving the pantograph up and continue creating danger of collision.
Whilst resolving the issues, the designing of this series begain, and running tests were carried out with pre-production mass-produced vehicles.

Design

Based on the earlier 817 series electric multiple unit trains, styling of the trains was overseen by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka.
The lithium-ion battery system used has a capacity of 360 kWh and operates at 1,598 V.

Operations

The BEC819 series trains are used on through services over the Fukuhoku Yutaka Line electrified at 20 kV 60 Hz AC and the non-electrified Chikuhō Main Line between and.
Since late 2018/early 2019, they are also used on the non-electrified Kashii Line.
These newer vehicles used on the Kashii Line belong to the "300" series, while the slightly older ones used on the Wakamatsu Line are the "0" series.

Formations

, the fleet consists of eighteen two-car sets formed as follows, with one motorised car and one non-powered trailer car.
DesignationTcMc
NumberingKuHa BEC818KuMoHa BEC819
Weight 35.536.6
Capacity 131/40133/40

  • The KuMoHa BEC819 car has one single-arm pantograph.
  • The KuHa BEC818 car has a toilet at the inner end.

Interior

Internally, LED lighting is used throughout.

History

Initial details of the new train were formally announced by JR Kyushu on 29 January 2016. A pre-series two-car train was delivered from Hitachi's factory in Yamaguchi Prefecture in April 2016. This underwent testing before entering revenue-earning service on 19 October 2016.
In May 2017, the BEC819 series was awarded the 2017 Blue Ribbon Award, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.

Build histories

The individual build histories of the fleet are as follows.
Set No.ManufacturerDate delivered
Z001Hitachi12 May 2016
Z002Hitachi14 February 2017
Z003Hitachi14 February 2017
Z004Hitachi14 February 2017
Z005Hitachi25 February 2017
Z006Hitachi25 February 2017
Z007Hitachi25 February 2017