The is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type introduced in March 1987 by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and currently operated by Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku) on local services in Shikoku, Japan, as the 7200 series.
Design The 121 series design was based on the earlier 105 series, with lightweight stainless steel bodies.
The motor bogies were the same DT33A bogies as used on the JNR-era 103 series EMUs, and the trailer cars used DT21T bogies recovered from withdrawn 101 series EMUs. The pantographs were also recovered from withdrawn 101 series EMUs.
Operations The sets are based at Takamatsu Depot and operate on the Yosan Line and Dosan Line in 2-, 4-, or 6-car formations.
Formations In 2019 the fleet consisted of 18 two-car 121 series sets and one 7200 series formed of one motored "Mc" car and one non-powered "Tc" trailer car as shown below with the motored "Mc" cars at the Takamatsu end.
As of December 2024, the 7200 series trains were being used for stopping and rapid services on the Dosan Line (Tadotsu - Kotohira) and the Yosan Line (Takamatsu - Iyo-Saijo). Some of the services consist of three or four coaches with 7000 series.
121 series
Designation Mc Tc Numbering KuMoHa 121 KuHa 120 Weight (t) 42.0 28.0 Capacity (total/seated) 118/62 118/62
The "Mc" cars are each fitted with one S-PS58 lozenge-type pantograph.
7200 series
Designation Mc Tc Numbering KuMoHa 7200 KuHa 7300 Weight (t) 37.6 28.5 Capacity (total/seated) 132/52 132/52
The "Mc" cars are each fitted with one S-PS58 lozenge-type pantograph.
Interiors Seating is arranged as a mix of transverse seating bays and longitudinal bench seats. The sets are not equipped with toilets.
History The 121 series sets were introduced on 23 March 1987, just nine days before JNR was privatised on 1 April, following which the 121 series fleet came under control of JR Shikoku. The sets were originally delivered with magenta "Red No. 20" bodyside stripes, but were repainted with JR Shikoku corporate light blue ("Blue No. 26") bodyside stripes during September and October 1987.
In 1992, the original pantographs were replaced with the same S-PS58 type pantographs also used on the JR Shikoku 7000 series EMUs to ensure adequate clearance through tunnels on newly electrified sections of the Yosan Line.
In 2011, two sets (numbers 001 and 002) were modified for driver only operation. These sets were repainted with their original JNR-style magenta bodyside stripes.
Refurbishment and conversion
From 2016 to 2018, the entire fleet of 19 two-car trainsets underwent refurbishment, and then were reclassified as the "7200 series" (see fleet history, below). Refurbishment included replacement of the DC motors with 140 kW AC motors and VVVF control, new side windows, new "efWing" CFRP bogies (S-DT67ef motor bogies and S-TR67ef trailer bogies), and a new livery based on the original style with a thin green line added to the magenta bodyside stripe. Internally, the refurbished trains have fixed four-person seating bays on one side with longitudinal bench seating on the other.
The first trainset to be treated, set 3, departed the JR Shikoku's Tadotsu Works in February 2016, and entered service from 13 June 2016.
Fleet history The individual build histories for the fleet are as follows.
Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered 7200 series conversion date 001 Hitachi 17 November 1986 12 October 2018 002 Kinki Sharyo 20 November 1986 18 February 2019 003 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 13 December 1986 15 March 2016 004 9 September 2016 005 Kinki Sharyo 27 December 1986 28 March 2017 006 20 February 2018 007 7 November 2017 008 Tokyu Car 27 January 1987 5 June 2017 009 28 February 2017 010 22 August 2018 011 28 December 2017 012 Hitachi 13 January 1987 2 July 2018 013 27 January 1987 28 October 2016 014 6 December 2016 015 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 16 January 1987 13 September 2017 016 18 January 2017 017 20 July 2017 018 Kinki Sharyo 20 January 1987 11 December 2018 019 28 March 2018
References