Built at the J-TREC factory in Niitsu, Niigata, the stainless steel body and "universal design" interior is derived from the E233 series commuter EMU. Externally, trains are finished in a livery with "golden yellow" and "Crested ibis stripes. The trains have a maximum speed of.
Operations
E129 series trains operate on the following lines, completely replacing older 115 seriessets by around 2017.
The E129 series trains can operated in multiple, to form 2+2, 2+4, and 2+2+2 formations, but do not operate in multiple with E127 series trains except in emergencies.
Fleet
The E129 series fleet will ultimately consist of 30 two-car sets numbered A1 to A30 and 25 four-car sets numbered B1 to B25, all based at Niigata Depot.
Formations
2-car sets A1-A32
The two-car sets, A1 to A32, consist of two motored cars, each with one powered bogie, and are formed as shown below.
Designation
Mc-100
Mc'-100
Numbering
KuMoHa E129-100
KuMoHa E128-100
Weight
37.2
37.2
Capacity
140/50
133/46
The KuMoHa E129-100 car is fitted with a PS33G single-arm pantograph.
The four-car sets, B1 to B25, consist of four motored cars, each with one powered bogie, and are formed as shown below.
Designation
Mc-0
M'-0
M-0
Mc'-0
Numbering
KuMoHa E129
MoHa E128
MoHa E129
KuMoHa E128
Weight
37.2
31.6
32.7
37.0
Capacity
140/50
154/60
154/60
133/46
The KuMoHa E129 and MoHa E129 cars are each fitted with one PS33G single-arm pantograph.
The KuMoHa E128 car has a universal access toilet.
Interior
Passenger accommodation consists of a mix of transverse seating bays and longitudinal bench seating. LED lighting is used throughout. Longitudinal seats have a width of per person, 10 mm wider than for the earlier E127 series trains, and the seating pitch for transverse seating bays is, approximately 110 mm wider that E233 series trains. Floor height is, the same as for E127 series trains, and lower than the floor height of 115 series trains.
History
Initial details of the new trains were announced by JR East in July 2013. The first two two-car sets, A1 and A2, were delivered on 8 October 2014, with test-running commencing the same day. The first trains entered revenue service on 6 December 2014.
Fleet details
, the fleet is as follows.
2-car sets
4-car sets
Derivatives
Delivery of three two-car SR1 series sets from J-TREC in Niitsu began in March 2020. They are derived from the E129 series and are scheduled to replace the 115 series currently operated by Shinano Railway. These trains were put into service of rapid trains operated by Shinano Railway starting from July 4 2020.
