JNR 213 series

Data (as of 7 Jun 2025)

History

The 213 series is a type of suburban train, and the last train that Japanese National Railways developed. It looks like 211 series, but the 213 series have two sets of doors per carriage with transverse seating. JNR introduced three-carriage units to Okayama area, a year before Honshi-Bisan Line (Great Seto Bridge) was opened. JR Central introduced two-car units to Nagoya area.

Those in Okayama were initially formed of nine (combining three units) or twelve coaches (four units) and used for stopping services in the area, replacing some 115 series. In 1988, JR West introduced five Green Cars (first class) and allocated them to Rapid Marine Liner service (Okayama - Takamatsu via Great Seto Bridge). However, their traction was damaged by salinity so that the company replaced them with 223 series in 2003. The company rearranged them to two or three-car units with standard class coaches only and reallocated to stopping services in Okayama Prefecture, while all Green Cars were disposed of. Two redundant coaches were converted to an experiment train U@tech, which was deregistered in 2019. In 2016, a two-car unit was converted to a specific train for tourists, named La Malle de Bois.

Meanwhile, JR Central initially used the 213 series mostly on Kansai Main Line until 2011. The company refurbished with an accessible toilet and reallocated them to Iida Line. Those owned by JR Central have green and orange bands (Shonan Livery) just like the 211 series.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

JR West's 213 series were refurbished in 2012-15 and now used on Ako, Hakubi, San-yo Main and Uno Lines, as well as Honshi-Bisan Line as far as Kojima. They never enter the island of Shikoku today except La Malle de Bois. Since the 213 series is the newest rolling stock in the area (despite more than 30 years old), they are likely to be in service until the late-2020s or even 2030s.

JR Central uses the series on the entire Iida Line and Chuo Main Line between Tatsuno and Chino. They will be replaced with brand new 315 series by 2026.

Photo

JR Central's unit.