817 series

817 series
Nagasaki-based 817-0 series set V029, October 2011
In service	2001–Present
Manufacturer	Hitachi
Family name	Hitachi A-train
Replaced	457 series, 475 series, 717 series
Constructed	2001–
Number built	139 vehicles (65 sets)
Number in service	139 vehicles (65 sets)
Formation	2/3 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	V001-V031, V101-114, V1101-1104, V2001-2007, V3000-3009
Operator(s)	JR Kyushu
Depot(s)	Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Minami-Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Nōgata
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminium
Car length	20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Width	2,994 mm (9 ft 9.9 in)
Height	4,096 mm (13 ft 5.3 in)
Floor height	1,115 mm (3 ft 7.9 in)
Doors	3 pairs per side
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Electric system(s)	20 kV AC 60 Hz
Current collection method	Overhead catenary
Multiple working	811/813/815 series
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 817 series is an AC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated on commuter and local services by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) in Japan since 2001. The design was based on the earlier 815 series, with transverse seating replacing the previous longitudinal seating, although later variants reverted to longitudinal seating.

There are five sub-series variants, 817-0, 817-1000, 817-1100, 817-2000, and 817-3000 series, allocated to five depots, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Minami-Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and Nōgata. The trains carry large colour-coded stickers next to the passenger doors according to the depot.

31 2-car sets (V001 to V031) were delivered to Minami-Fukuoka and Nōgata depots between August September 2001 for use on the newly electrified Fukuhoku Yutaka Line, Nagasaki Main Line, and Sasebo Line.

The 31 sets were later reallocated to Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Nagasaki depots from 2003 following the arrival of 817-1000 series sets.

The KuMoHa 817 car is fitted with a PS401K single-arm pantograph.

KuHa 816-13 of Kumamoto-based set V013, December 2007

KuMoHa 817-13 of Kumamoto-based set V013, December 2007

Seating is arranged in a transverse configuration, with flip-over seat backs to face the direction of travel. The KuHa 816 car has a toilet and a wheelchair space.

Interior view

12 2nd-batch 817-1000 series 2-car sets (V101 to V112) were delivered to Nōgata depot between August and September 2003, displacing the earlier 817-0 series sets based there. These sets were designed to be able to be lengthened easily to 3-cars sets in the future if needed. A further two 3rd-batch sets (V113 and V114) were added in February 2005.

The KuMoHa 817 car is fitted with a PS401K single-arm pantograph.

As with the 817-0 series, seating is arranged in a transverse configuration, with flip-over seat backs to face the direction of travel. The KuHa 816 car has a toilet and a wheelchair space.

In March 2013, JR Kyushu converted 2-car 817-1000 series set VG114 to a battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) by adding lithium-ion storage batteries to enable the train to run on non-electrified lines. The train has a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) when running off the 20 kV AC overhead power supply of electrified lines, and 80 km/h (50 mph) when running on battery power over non-electrified lines. It can run a distance of up to 30 km (20 mi) on battery power. The train was tested on non-electrified lines from September 2013.