BEC819 series


The BEC819 series, branded "DENCHA", is a two-car battery electric multiple unit train operated by Kyushu Railway Company on inter-running services over the Fukuhoku Yutaka Line and Chikuhō Main Line in Fukuoka Prefecture in northern Kyushu, Japan, since October 2016, and also on the Kashii Line.

Design

Based on the earlier 817 series electric multiple unit trains, styling of the trains was overseen by industrial designer Eiji Mitooka.
The lithium-ion battery system used has a capacity of 360 kWh and operates at 1,598 V.

Operations

The BEC819 series trains are used on through services over the Fukuhoku Yutaka Line electrified at 20 kV AC and the non-electrified Chikuhō Main Line between and.
Since late 2018/early 2019, they are also used on the non-electrified Kashii Line.
These newer vehicles used on the Kashii Line belong to the "300" series, while the slightly older ones used on the Wakamatsu Line are the "0" series.

Formations

, the fleet consists of eighteen two-car sets formed as follows, with one motored car and one non-powered trailer car.
DesignationTcMc
NumberingKuHa BEC818KuMoHa BEC819
Weight 35.536.6
Capacity 131/40133/40

Internally, LED lighting is used throughout.

History

Initial details of the new train were formally announced by JR Kyushu on 29 January 2016. A pre-series two-car train was delivered from Hitachi's factory in Yamaguchi Prefecture in April 2016. This underwent testing before entering revenue-earning service on 19 October 2016.
In May 2017, the BEC819 series was awarded the 2017 Blue Ribbon Award, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.

Build histories

The individual build histories of the fleet are as follows.
Set No.ManufacturerDate delivered
Z001Hitachi12 May 2016
Z002Hitachi14 February 2017
Z003Hitachi14 February 2017
Z004Hitachi14 February 2017
Z005Hitachi25 February 2017
Z006Hitachi25 February 2017
Z007Hitachi25 February 2017