423 series

401/403/415/421/423 series
A 415 series train on the Jōban Line approaching Abiko Station, July 2006
In service	1971–present
Manufacturer	Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation, JR-West
Constructed	1971–1991
Formation	3/4/7 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	JNR (1971–1987) JR East (1987–2016) JR Kyushu (1987–present) JR-West (1991-present)
Line(s) served	Various
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel/stainless steel
Car length	19,500-20,000 mm
Width	2,900-2,950 mm
Height	3,654-3,670 mm
Maximum speed	100 km/h (60 mph)
Traction system	Resistor control
Power supply	120 kW
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC / 20 kV AC 50 Hz/60 Hz
Current collection method	overhead catenary
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 415 series (415系, Yonhyaku-jūgo-kei) is a dual-voltage AC/DC outer-suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type introduced in 1971 by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and currently operated in Japan by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu), and West Japan Railway Company (JR-West).

The 415 series is descended from the 401, 403, 421 and 423 series.

The 415 series was introduced in 1971, and has since spawned six variants, as listed below.

This was the original version of the 415 series train, and was manufactured from 1971 to 1974, and had air-conditioners installed in 1977. The Jōban Line and Mito Line trains were withdrawn in March 2007 in favour of the new E531 series trains, but 415-0 series were still in operation with JR Kyushu as of January 2013.

The first 415-0 series sets allocated to Kyushu were 4-car units delivered in December 1974. These were formed KuHa 411-300 + MoHa 415 + MoHa 414 + KuHa 411-300. Originally delivered in the JNR livery of brick red ("Red No. 13") with cream ("Cream No. 4") warning panels on the cab ends, these sets were repainted between 1986 and 1987 into a new livery of white with blue bodyside stripe, carried up until the present day. Some sets later received life-extension refurbishment with transverse seating replaced by longitudinal seating.

JR Kyushu set FM5 was re-painted in the old JNR livery in 2000 to commemorate the millennium celebrations in Japan. It operated in this livery until it was withdrawn in 2012.

JR Kyushu 415-0 series set FM5 in JNR-era livery, June 2006

Interior of a 415-0 series trainset

This subseries was introduced in 1978, and most of the trains are operated by JR Kyushu, although a few trainsets were operated by JR East on the Jōban Line (the latter were withdrawn in March 2007, again in favour of the E531 series trains). The 415-100 series trainsets were built in the same exterior style as the 113-2000 series trains, but the seat pitch for transverse seating was increased from 1,420 mm to 1,490 mm, and toilets were fitted only in the KuHa 411-200 cars.