211 series

The 211 series (211系) is a suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type introduced in 1985 by the Japanese National Railways (JNR). It is operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central). It was formerly operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) in Japan.

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)

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: Tachikawa – 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
 * Minobu Line: Fuji – Nishi-Fujinomiya
 * Aichi Loop Line: Kozoji – Setoguchi

Future operations
On 20 and 22 March 2024, JR Central transferred a total of five three-car 211-5000 series sets to Sangi Railway.

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.