HB-E210 series

The HB-E210 series (HB-E210系) is a hybrid diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on Senseki-Tōhoku Line services in the Sendai area since 30 May 2015.

Concept
The HB-E210 series trains were developed from the earlier KiHa E200 type operated on the rural Koumi Line, but to better suit commuter service operations, it incorporates both internal and external design elements from E129 series EMUs, like having three pairs of sliding doors per side and a mixture of transverse and longitudinal seating.

Hybrid diesel/battery operation cycle
Each car is equipped with a 331 kW 6-cylinder diesel engine and two banks of lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 15.2 kWh when new. While at standstill, energy stored in the lithium-ion batteries is used to power auxiliary facilities on the train. On starting from standstill, energy stored in the batteries is used to drive the motors via an inverter, with the engine cut out. The engine then cuts in for further acceleration and running on gradients. When braking, the motor acts as a generator, recharging the batteries.

Livery
The exterior livery consists primarily of blue, the line colour for the Senseki Line, with pink highlights to evoke an image of the cherry blossom trees along the line, and smaller green highlights in JR East's corporate colour.

Bogies
Each car has one DT75B motored bogie (at the Sendai end) and one TR260B trailer bogie (at the Sekimaki end).

Operations
The HB-E210 series trains were introduced on 30 May 2015 on new Senseki-Tōhoku Line through services operating between Sendai and Ishinomaki via a newly built link connecting the Tohoku Main Line and Senseki Line between Shiogama and Takagimachi.

Formations
The HB-E210 series fleet consists of eight two-car sets (16 vehicles), formed as shown below, with the HB-E211 car at the Sendai (eastern) end of the train.

Interior
LED lighting is used throughout. The HB-E211 cars have a universal access toilet at the inner end, and the HB-E212 cars have priority seats at both sides on the inner end. The floor height is 1130 mm, compared to the standard platform height of 1100 mm for stations on the Senseki Line and 920 mm for stations on the Tohoku Main Line.

History
The first two trains built by Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-TREC) in Yokohama were originally scheduled to be delivered in November 2014, but the delivery date was postponed until January 2015. Test running using the first two sets delivered commenced on 16 January 2015, on the Tohoku Main Line between Kogota and Sendai.

In May 2016, the HB-E210 series was awarded the 2016 Laurel Prize, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.

Build details
The build histories of individual sets are as follows.