125 series

125 series
Kakogawa Line KuMoHa 125-10 in January 2019
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Built at	Hyogo
Replaced	KiHa 40, KiHa 47, KiHa 58
Constructed	2002–2006
Entered service	15 March 2003
Number built	18 cars
Number in service	18 cars
Formation	Single car unit
Fleet numbers	F1–8, F13–18, N1–4
Capacity	117
Operators	JR-West
Depots	Tsuruga, Aboshi
Lines served	Obama Line L Maizuru Line I Kakogawa Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	20,340 mm (66 ft 9 in)
Width	2,950 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Height	4,095 mm (13 ft 5.2 in)
Doors	2 pairs per side
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction system	Variable frequency (2-level IGBT)
Power output	440 kW (590 hp)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC (overhead line)
Current collector(s)	WPS28A single-arm pantograph
Bogies	WDT59A (motored), WTR243B (trailer)
Safety system(s)	ATS-P
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 125 series (125系, 125-kei) is a single-car DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) on local services in Japan since March 2003.

Design

The 125 series design is based on the 223-2000 series EMU design, with stainless bodies and steel front ends.

The cars have two pairs of sliding doors on each side, with provision for a third set of doors in the centre.

The second-batch cars (KuMoHa 125-9–12) delivered in 2003 differ from the earlier batch by having enlarged front-end skirts and darker grey tinted windows.

• 
  125 series first-batch car, June 2004
• 
  125 series first-batch (left) and third-batch (right) cars coupled together, showing the difference in front-end skirt lengths and window tint

Operations

The 125 series is used on wanman driver-only operation services, primarily on the Obama Line and Kakogawa Line.

Up to five single cars can be operated together as a multiple car set.

Formation

Designation	cMc
Numbering	KuMoHa 125
Capacity (Seated/standing)	31/86
Weight	40.5 t

Cars KuMoHa 125-7/8/11/12 are equipped with a second de-icing pantograph.

Interior

Passenger accommodation consists of longitudinal bench seating at the ends, and 2+2 abreast transverse reversible seating in the centre of the cars. The first two batches of cars (KuMoHa 125-1–12) were delivered with 1+2 abreast seating, but this was increased to 2+2 seating during 2003 and 2004.

• 
  General view of interior (KuMoHa 125-16, April 2008)
• 
  Reversible seating (KuMoHa 125-16, April 2008)
• 
  Priority seating (KuMoHa 125-16, April 2008)
• 
  Doorway and toilet (KuMoHa 125-16, April 2008)

History

The first eight cars (KuMoHa 125-1–8) were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in December 2002 for entry into service from 15 March 2003 on the then-newly electrified 84.3-kilometre (52.4 mi) Obama Line between Tsuruga and Higashi-Maizuru. These sets were initially allocated to Fukuchiyama Depot, but were subsequently transferred to Tsuruga Depot.

Four more cars (KuMoHa 125-9–12) were built in September 2004 for entry into service from 19 December 2004 on the newly electrified 48.5 km (30.1 mi) Kakogawa Line between Kakogawa and Tanikawa.

A further six cars (KuMoHa 125-13–18) were built in September 2006 to coincide with the conversion of Tsuruga area services from 20 kV AC to 1,500 V DC electrification from 21 October 2006.

From the start of the revised timetable on 18 March 2023, 125 series trainsets began operation on the Maizuru Line.

Further reading

• 125系一般形直流電車 [125 series DC EMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). 43 (503): 61–65. March 2003.