215 series

215 series
215 series in July 2002
In service	1992–Present
Manufacturer	Hitachi, Nippon Sharyo
Family name	Double Decker Liner
Constructed	1992–1993
Number built	40 vehicles (4 sets)
Number in service	40 vehicles (4 sets)
Formation	10 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	NL1–4
Operator(s)	JR East
Depot(s)	Tamachi
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Width	2,900 mm (9 ft 6 in)
Doors	2 per side
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction system	Resistor control + field system superimposed field excitation control
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Current collection method	PS24 pantograph
Safety system(s)	ATS-SN, ATS-P
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 215 series (215系^?) is a bilevel suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in the Kantō region of Japan since 1992.

The trains were built jointly by Hitachi and Nippon Sharyo.

All sets consist of 10 cars with only the two cars at each end motored. Cars 4 and 5 are "Green" (first class) cars.

Lower level Green car seating

Lower level ordinary class seating

Priority seat in lower level ordinary class saloon

The first trainset was delivered in March 1992, and entered service from 4 April 1992 on Tōkaidō Main Line daytime Acty rapid services and evening Shōnan Liner services. Three more sets were delivered in October 1993.

From December 2001, the 215 series fleet was removed from Tōkaidō Line Acty services, and reassigned to new Shōnan-Shinjuku Line services between Shinjuku and Yokosuka. Their use on Shōnan-Shinjuku Line services continued until 16 October 2004, from which date all Shōnan-Shinjuku Line services were standardized with E231 series rolling stock.

From October 2004 onward, scheduled services using 215 series stock were limited to a small number of weekday Home Liner services, with only occasional holiday weekend workings, such as the Holiday Rapid View Yamanashi.