2 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences
- 1. Series311-G5: MaedaAkihiko· CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2. JR-Series311-G5 Special-Rapid: MaedaAkihiko· CC BY-SA 4.0
what is it?
The 311 series (311系) was a DC suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) in Japan from 1989 until 2025. A total of 15 four-car sets were built between 1989 and 1991 by Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Kinki Sharyo to replace older 113 and 115 series EMUs. The design of the 311 series was developed from that of the 211 series.
who runs it
base stats
Bars compare against all trains: 600 km/h (maglev), 1,700 seats; power, weight and number built on a log scale up to 20 MW, 1,000 t and 20,000 built.
fun facts
- First built 37 years ago, in 1989.
- 960 kW is about 11 family cars (~85 kW each) flat out.
- 20.1 m long: about 4 cars parked nose to tail.
- Served for 33 years (1989–2022).
multiple unit: A self-propelled train: motors are spread under the passenger cars, so no separate locomotive.
spec sheet
- built
- 1989
- in service from
- 1989
- retired
- 2022
- status
- retired
- number built
- 60
- kind
- multiple unit
- traction
- electric
- origin
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- builders
- Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo
- operators
- Central Japan Railway Company
- top speed
- 120 km/h
- power
- 960 kW
- gauge
- 1,067 mm Cape gauge
- electric system
- 1,500 V DC overhead
- formation
- 4 cars per trainset
- length
- 20.1 m
From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.
Sources: Wikidata Q4634692, Wikipedia: 311 series (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.