119 series


The 119 series was a DC electric multiple unit train type which was operated on local services in Japan by Japanese National Railways and later by Central Japan Railway Company between 1983 and March 2012.

Design

The 119 series design was based on the earlier 105 series EMU type, with improvements to cope with the steep gradients and winter climate of the Iida Line.

Variants

The sets were formed as follows.

119-0 series 2-car sets E10–17

The KuMoHa 119 car was fitted with one lozenge-type pantograph.

119-100 series single-car sets M1–9

Each car was fitted with one lozenge-type pantograph.

119-5000 series 2-car sets E1–9

The KuMoHa 119 car was fitted with one lozenge-type pantograph.

119-5100 series single-car sets M1–9

Each car was fitted with one lozenge-type pantograph.

119-5300 series 2-car sets R1–8

The KuMoHa 119 car was fitted with one lozenge-type pantograph.

Interior

Passenger accommodation consisted of a mixture of longitudinal bench seating and transverse four-seat bays. The KuHa 118 cars were equipped with a toilet.

Livery variations

Set E4 was repainted into its original JNR era livery in August 2009.

History

From 18 March 1983, all Iida Line services were made no-smoking.
From 3 March 2001, Iida Line services were switched to wanman driver-only operation.
The fleet was replaced by 213-5000 and 313-3000 series EMUs on the Iida Line, with the last train running on 31 March 2012.

Resale

Following withdrawal, six 2-car 119 series sets were sold to the third sector railway operator Echizen Railway in Fukui Prefecture, where they were converted to become Echizen Railway 7000 series EMUs, entering service from February 2013.