701 series

• 701-0 series: 2/3-car narrow-gauge sets based at Akita Depot
• 701-100 series: 2/3-car narrow-gauge sets based at Akita and Sendai Depot
• 701-1000 series: 2/4-car narrow-gauge sets based at Morioka and Sendai Depot
• 701-1500 series: 2-car narrow-gauge sets based at Sendai Depot
• 701-5000 series: 2-car standard-gauge sets based at Akita Depot
• 701-5500 series: 2-car standard-gauge sets based at Yamagata Depot
• Aoimori 701 series: 2-car narrow-gauge sets operated by the Aoimori Railway
• IGR 7000 series: 2-car narrow-gauge sets operated by the Iwate Galaxy Railway

Akita-based 701-0 series 2-car set N18 in April 2012

89 701-0 series cars were delivered in 1993, formed as three-car sets (N1 to N13) and two-car sets (N14 to N38), all based at Akita Depot. Three two-car sets (N36 to N38) were later modified with some transverse seating, and from 2005, the entire fleet had the original PS104 scissors-type pantographs replaced with PS109 single-arm pantographs. Snowploughs were also added to the front ends at the same time.[4]

These sets are used on the Uetsu Main Line between Tsuruoka and Akita, on the Ōu Main Line between Shinjō and Aomori, and on the Tsugaru Line between Aomori and Kanita. The sets with transverse seating are mainly used on the Ōu Main Line between Shinjō and Akita.[4]

Sendai-based 701-100 series set at Koriyama Station in March 2007

Thirteen 701-100 series cars were delivered in 1994, formed as one 3-car set and five 2-car sets. All sets were initially based at Akita Depot, but four of the 2-car sets were subsequently transferred to Sendai. The Akita-based sets had the original PS104 scissors-type pantographs replaced with PS109 single-arm pantographs between 2007 and 2008. Snowploughs were also added to the front ends at the same time. The Sendai-based sets had the original PS104 scissors-type pantographs replaced with lower-profile PS105 lozenge-type pantographs in 2002 to allow operation through limited-clearance tunnels on the Senzan Line.[4][5]

The Sendai-based sets are normally used on the Joban Line between Iwaki and Iwanuma, and on the Tohoku Main Line between Iwanuma and Sendai. They are also available for use on Senzan Line services if required. The Akita-based sets are used interchangeably alongside the 701-0 series sets.[4]

Sendai-based 701-1000 series set in May 2010

Morioka-based 700-1000 series set in June 2023

92 701-1000 series cars were delivered between 1994 and 1995 to Morioka and Sendai depots, formed as 2- and 4-car units. As of 2010, 14 cars (seven 2-car sets), 30 cars (fifteen 2-car sets) are based at Morioka, and 36 cars (four 4-car sets and ten 2-car sets) are based at Sendai. Eight of the original 2-car sets were transferred to the Iwate Galaxy Railway Line, becoming IGR 7000-0 series (see below), and one 2-car set was transferred to the Aoimori Railway, becoming Aoimori 700-0 series (see below). On 28 October 1999, one Aomori-based 2-car set (KuMoHa 701-1033 + KuHa 700-1033) was damaged by storm surge at Aomori Station. New bodies were manufactured for this set in 2000, and it was renumbered KuMoHa 701-1508 + KuHa 700-1508 and reallocated to Sendai depot.[4]

A further seven 701-1000 series two-car sets were transferred to the Aoimori Railway during 2010, becoming Aoimori 700-0 series.[6]

The Sendai-based sets are used on the Tohoku Main Line between Kuroiso and Ichinoseki, including the branch line to Rifu, and on the Senzan Line. The Morioka-based sets are used on the Tohoku Main Line between Ichinoseki and Morioka, and on the Iwate Galaxy Railway Line between Morioka and Iwate-Numakunai. The Aomori-based sets are used on the Tohoku Main Line between Hachinohe and Aomori.[4]

Sendai area 701-1500 series at Iwaki-Ōta Station in June 2008

Eighteen two-car sets (numbered F2-501 to F2-518) were delivered to Sendai depot between 1998 and 2001, including set F2-508, which was rebuilt from an earlier damaged 701-1000 series unit. Sets from F2-509 onward were fitted with wheelchair spaces and ATS-Ps from new. They are used interchangeably with Sendai 701-1000 series sets.[4]

Tazawako Line 701-5000 series at Morioka Station in March 2007

Ten 2-car sets (numbered N5001 to N5010) were delivered to Akita depot between 1996 and 1997, entering service from 22 March 1997 on the 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge sections of the Tazawako Line between Morioka and Ōmagari, and on the Ōu Main Line between Ōmagari and Akita. These sets were based on the earlier 701-1000 series, with some transverse seating, PS106 single-arm pantographs, and ATS-P.[4]

Ōu Main Line 701-5500 series set Z4 in June 2007

Nine two-car 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge sets (numbered Z1 to Z9) were delivered to Yamagata depot in 1999, ahead of the opening of the extension of the Yamagata Shinkansen to Shinjō in November 1999. During 2001, the original PS105 lozenge-type pantographs were replaced with PS106B single-arm pantographs. Snowploughs were added to the front ends at the same time.

The fleet is used on the Ōu Main Line between Yonezawa and Shinjō.[4]

The fleet of nine trainsets underwent a programme of refurbishment between 2013 and 2016. Improvements included replacement of electrical converters and transformers with similar equipment to that used on the later E721 series trains, as well as new flooring material internally.[7]

Aoimori Railway 701 series at Morioka Station in March 2007

Aoimori Railway 701 series in new livery at Misawa Station in July 2011

The Aoimori Railway 701 series fleet consists of one 701-0 series set, which was originally a JR East 701-1000 series set transferred from Morioka in December 2002, and a newly built 701-100 series set delivered in September 2002. The 701-100 series set has some transverse seating.[5]

A further seven two-car (former 701-1000 series) sets were transferred from JR East during 2010 ahead of the transfer of passenger operations from JR East on the section from Hachinohe to Aomori when the Tohoku Shinkansen extension to Shin-Aomori opened in December 2010.[8] These units are modified with the addition of some transverse seating. The Aoimori Railway fleet was repainted into a new lighter blue livery incorporating the railway's "Mori" mascot logo.[6]

IGR 7000 series at Morioka Station in June 2023

The Iwate Galaxy Railway Line 7000 series fleet consists of four 7000-0 series sets, which were originally JR East 701-1000 series sets transferred from Morioka in December 2002, and three newly built 7000-100 series sets delivered in September 2002. The 7000-100 series sets have some transverse seating.[5]

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• JR East 701 series (in Japanese)