The 211 series (211系, 211-kei) is a suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type introduced in 1985 by Japanese National Railways (JNR).
The trains are still being used by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). They were also formerly used by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) until 2010 and Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) until 2025 in Japan.
Sangi Railway will operate a total of eight former 211-5000 series 3-car sets (24 cars) with the first entering service in May, 2025, and Ryutetsu acquired four 211-6000 series 2-car sets (8 cars) on 9 July, 2025.
Design
The 211 series was developed by JNR to replace older 113 series and 115 series trains. The 211 series incorporated regenerative brakes and stainless steel body construction.
Variants
- 211-0 series (basic version with transverse seating)
- 211-1000 series (cold region version with transverse seating)
- 211-2000 series (basic version with all longitudinal seating)
- 211-3000 series (cold region version with all longitudinal seating)
- 211-5000 series (JR Central version)
- 211-6000 series (JR Central version with single motored car)
- Joyful Train variants (JR West version)
Operations
211-0, 211-2000 series
- Tōkaidō Main Line and Ito Line: Tokyo – Numazu/Ito (From 1986 - April 2012)
- Tōkaidō Main Line: Hamamatsu – Maibara
- Chūō Main Line: Tachikawa – Shiojiri
- Shinonoi Line: Shiojiri – Shinonoi
- Shinetsu Line: Shinonoi – Nagano
211-1000, 211-3000 series
- Tohoku Main Line: Oyama – Utsunomiya
- Takasaki Line: Ueno - Takasaki (1986 - March 2014)
- Ryomo Line: Takasaki – Oyama
- Shinetsu Line: Takasaki – Yokokawa
- Oito Line: Matsumoto –Shinano-Omachi
- Chuo Main Line: Takao – Shiojiri/Shiojiri – Nakatsugawa
- Shinonoi Line: Shiojiri – Shinonoi
- Shinetsu Main Line: Shinonoi – Nagano
- Sobu Main Line: Chiba – Chōshi (via Yachimata) (21 October 2006 – 2012)
- Narita Line: Chiba – Chōshi (via Narita) (21 October 2006 – 2012)
- Kashima Line: Sawara – Kashima-Jingu (21 October 2006 – 2012)
- Togane Line (since 21 October 2006 – 2012)
- Uchibo Line: Chiba – Awa-Kamogawa (via Kisarazu) (21 October 2006 – 2012)
- Sotobo Line: Chiba – Awa-Kamogawa (via Katsuura) (21 October 2006 – 2012)
- Iida Line (since 15 March 2014)
- Agatsuma Line (since 22 August 2016)
- Joetsu Line: Takasaki - Minakami (since 23 August 2016)
211-5000, 211-6000 series
- Tokaido Main Line: Atami – Toyohashi
- Chuo Main Line: Nagoya – Nakatsugawa
- Kansai Main Line: Nagoya – Kameyama
- Gotemba Line: Kōzu – Numazu (until 2025)
- Minobu Line: Fuji – Nishi-Fujinomiya
- Aichi Loop Line: Kozoji – Setoguchi
Sangi Railway
On 20 and 22 March 2024, JR Central transferred five 211-5000 series 3-car sets to Sangi Railway. On 10 March, 2025, they announced that they will operate a total of eight former 211-5000 series 3-car sets (24 cars).
Ryutetsu
On 9 July, 2025, Ryutetsu announced that they had purchased four 211-6000 series 2-car sets GG5/GG6/GG8/GG9 (8 cars) from JR Central. The trains will be refurbished before entering service to replace their current 5000 series (former Seibu New 101 series) trains.
Joyful Train sets
- Super Saloon Yumeji: Three-car set converted from 211 and 213 series coaches which entered service in 1988 and withdrawn in March 2010. Operated by JR-West and based at Okayama Depot.
