289 series

289 series
A 6-car 289 series EMU on a Kuroshio limited express service in February 2016
In service	31 October 2015
Replaced	381 series
Number in service	82 vehicles (20 sets) (as of 1 October 2015[update])
Formation	3/4/6 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	JR West
Depot(s)	Fukuchiyama, Kyoto
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminium, double-skin
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 289 series (289系, Nihyaku-hachijūkyū-kei^?) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) in Japan on limited express services in the Kyoto and Osaka area since October 2015. The trains were converted from former dual-voltage (1,500 V DC and 20 kV AC) 683-2000 series EMUs formerly used on Shirasagi services and made surplus following the 14 March 2015 timetable revision.

The 289 series trains were initially introduced on 31 October 2015 on Hashidate, Kinosaki, Kounotori (formed as 4- or 4+3-car sets) and on Kuroshio services formed as 6- or 6+3-car sets services, displacing the remaining JNR-era 381 series EMUs. Since the timetable revision on 26 March 2016, the 4- or 4+3-cars sets are used only on Kounotori services.

While the trains are similar in appearance and performance characteristics to the 287 series trains, they cannot operate in multiple.

As of 1 April 2016^[update], the fleet consists of five six-car sets and three three-car sets (39 vehicles in total) based at Kyoto Depot for use on Kuroshio services, and seven four-car sets and six three-car sets (46 vehicles in total) based at Fukuchiyama Depot for use on Kounotori services.