221series
Type index

JR West was studying about trains JR West builds from now on as it ought to be, after splitting of Japan National Railways. As the result, JR West developed 221 series and entered to special rapid services and Yamatoji rapid services in 1989. 221 series are equipped with an attractive design and accommodation against the private railway trains, and can make from 2-car formation for provincial lines to 12-car formation for special rapid services.
Since 221 series have Kumoha221 (motored end car) and Moha221 (motored intermediate car) which adopt the same MM' unit system as 211 series, and Kumoha220 (motored end car) and Moha220 (motored intermediate car) which adopted the 1M same system as 213 series, 221 series can be made two car, four car, and six-car formations. In addition, the auxiliary power supply and the compressor were fitted on Moha221. But the compressor can not be fitted on Moha220 and Kumoha220 since the traction container and an auxiliary power supply are fitted under the floor and the space under the floor is insufficient.

6-car formation
Kumoha221 Moha221 Saha221 Moha220 Saha220 Kuha221
motored motored trailer motored trailer trailer
traction
controller		 compressor
aux. pwr
traction
controller
ax pwr		 compressor WC

4-car formation
Kumoha221 Moha221 Saha221 Kuha221
motored motored trailer trailer
traction
controller		 compressor
aux. pwr
WC

2-car formation
Kumoha220 Kuha220
motored trailer
traction
controller
aux. pwr		 WC
compressor


The end cars are equipped with automatic jumper in order to couple/uncouple formations easily. Traction motors are WMT61S and WMT64S rated at 120kW of which noise are made lower than those of 211 series or 213 series, and are controlled by field added excitation control system. 221 series adopt the same bolster-less air suspension bogies as 211 series and the attachments for yaw dampers are prepared in order to ensure smooth ride characteristics even at high speed. Maximum service speed is 120 km/h that is faster than 117 series. Furthermore, yaw dampers began to be fitted from 1998.
Bodies are constructed by steel and are equipped with 3 doors on each side of the body. All seats are switchable cross-seats. The same seat capacity as 117 series is secured by reexamination of a switchboard installation position etc., Although the number of the doors increased compared with 117 series. 221 series are equipped with the semi-automatic doors in consideration of use in the Kosei line. Passengers can open or close doors manually by pushing buttons. Straps were fitted all over the body later, although straps were fitted at only the doorway at the beginning.
Although both 221 series and 117 series were used on special rapid services, 120km/h operation was started since 117 series were replaced with 221 series completely in 1991. Furthermore, 221 series used on special rapid services were changed into eight-car formation or four-car formation, since passengers increased in number and transport capacity had been insufficient in six-car formation. Special rapid services were operated with eight-car formation or 2 four-car formations in pairs.

8-car formation
Kumoha221 Moha221 Saha221 Moha220 Saha220 Moha220 Saha220 Kuha221
motored motored trailer motored trailer motored trailer trailer
traction
controller		 compressor
aux. pwr
traction
controller
aux. pwr		 compressor traction
controller
aux. pwr		 compressor WC

However, since 223-1000 series and 223-2000 series were delivered as succeeding vehicles of 221 series, 221 series gradually withdrew from special rapid services and 221 series began to be used on rapid services of JR Takarazuka line, Nara Line, and Hanwa Line. Since four-car formation ran short at this time, Moha220 (intermediate motored car) and Saha 220 (intermediate trailer car) which were contained in six-car formation were coupled with two-car formation and four-car formations were made up.

4-car formation
Kumoha220 Saha220 Moha220 Kuha220
motored trailer motored trailer
traction
controller
aux. pwr		 compressor traction
controller
aux. pwr		 WC
compressor

Now, 221 series are used on rapid services of JR Takarazuka line, Hanwa line, Yamatoji line, and Nara line besides JR Kobe, Kyoto, and the Biwako line.
Technical Data
Items Data
Supply Voltage 1500VDC
Service speed, etc. Acceleration: 2.5km/h/s Deceleration: 3.5km/h/s Service speed: 120km/h
Length 19500mm
Width 2950mm
Height 4140mm
Bogie WDT50H(motored), WTR235H(trailer)
Collector WPS27 (cross-arm)
Traction motor WMT61S(120kW, 375V), WMT64S(120kW, 750V)
Gear ratio 5.19
Controller Field added excitation control: WCS57B, WCS59C
Air conditioner WAU701 (18000kcal/h×2)
Designed by JR West