The E353 series (E353系) is a DC tilting electric multiple unit (EMU) train operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan on limited express services on the Chūō Main Line since December 2017.

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E353 series
E353 series on a Azusa service in December 2020
In service	2017–present
Manufacturer	Japan Transport Engineering Company
Built at	Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama
Replaced	E351 series, E257 series
Constructed	2015–2019
Entered service	23 December 2017
Number built	213 vehicles; 31 sets (total)
Number in service	20 9-car sets, 11 3-car sets
Formation	3 or 9 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	S101–S120 (9-car sets), S201–S211 (3-car sets)
Capacity	686 (656 standard + 30 Green)
Operators	JR East
Depots	Matsumoto
Lines served	Chūō Main Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminium alloy
Car length	20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in) (intermediate cars) 21,000 mm (68 ft 11 in) (end cars)
Width	2,920 mm (9 ft 7 in)
Height	3,540 mm (11 ft 7 in)
Floor height	1,130 mm (3 ft 8 in)
Doors	1 per side
Maximum speed	130 km/h (81 mph)
Traction system	Mitsubishi Electric SC108 or SC109 IGBT–VVVF
Traction motors	8 or 20 × MT75B 140 kW (188 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output	1.12 MW (1,502 hp) (3-car set) 2.8 MW (3,755 hp) (9-car set)
Acceleration	0.56 m/s2 (1.3 mph/s)
Deceleration	1.4 m/s2 (3.1 mph/s)
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC (overhead catenary)
Current collector(s)	PS39 single-arm pantograph
UIC classification	2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′ (9-car sets) 2′Bo′+Bo′Bo′+Bo′2′ (3-car sets)
Bogies	DT81, DT82 (motored), TR265 (trailer)
Safety system(s)	ATS-P, ATS-PS
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

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A pre-series train, consisting of one nine-car set (set S101) and one three-car set (set S201), was delivered in July 2015 for performance testing.^[1] These trains replaced the older E351 series EMUs used on Super Azusa (Now Azusa) limited express services on the Chūō Main Line between Shinjuku in Tokyo and Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture.^[1] Originally intended to enter revenue service in spring 2016,^[2] the first trains entered service on 23 December 2017.^[3]

The exterior styling was overseen by the industrial design firm Ken Okuyama Design.^[4] Like the E351 series trains which they are scheduled to replace, the new E353 series trains incorporate tilting technology to allow faster speeds around curves.^[5] The trains use a pneumatic tilt system (instead of the pendulum system used in the older trains) and an active suspension to reduce tilt times and help reduce motion sickness in passengers.

The train features a database of curves along the line, allowing the train to begin tilting before reaching the curve. The pre-series train also had dampers installed between the cars to reduce vibrations, but this feature was discontinued on the subsequent production trainsets.^[6] Maximum operating speed is 130 km/h (81 mph).^[6] To reduce any step up from station platforms, the train floor height is 1,130 mm (3 ft 8.49 in), 10 mm (0.39 in) lower than on E259 series and E657 series trains.^[7]

• Closeup of the gangway connection between sets S101 (left) and S201 (right) in July 2015
• The PS39 single-arm pantograph on MoHa E353-1 (car 10) in July 2015

Trains consist of a nine-car main set (with five cars motored), numbered S101 onward, and a three-car add-on set, numbered S201 onward, with car 1 at the southern (Shinjuku) end as follows.^[7][8]

• KuMoHa E353-1 (car 1)
• MoHa E353-1001 (car 2)
• KuMoHa E352-1 (car 3)
• KuHa E353-1 (car 4)
• MoHa E353-501 (car 5)
• MoHa E352-501 (car 6)
• MoHa E353-2001 (car 7)
• SaHa E353-1 (car 8)
• SaRo E353-1 (car 9)
• MoHa E353-1 (car 10)
• MoHa E352-1 (car 11)
• KuHa E352-1 (car 12)

Cars 2 and 5 each have two single-arm pantographs (only one is normally used), and cars 7 and 10 each have one.^[7] Cars 1 and 3 each have only one motored bogie (at the inner ends).^[7]

Green car (first class) accommodation is in 2+2 abreast configuration with a seat pitch of 1,160 mm (46 in).^[8] The wine red seat covers are intended to create subdued atmosphere.^[9] Standard class is also arranged 2+2 with a seat pitch of 960 mm (37.8 in), compared to 970 mm (38.2 in) for Super Azusa E351 series trains.^[10] The pale blue seat covers are intended to evoke images of the Azusa River, after which the train service was named.^[9] AC power outlets are provided at each seat.^[1] The trains include universal access toilets and security cameras.^[1] LED lighting is used on these trains, for the first time on JR East limited express rolling stock.^[9]

While not initially included in the pre-series train, luggage racks are installed in cars 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 12.^[6]

Inside, the floors feature rubber coverings to reduce the noise of footsteps. Individual seat numbers are written in braille and each seat has an individual air diffuser for passenger comfort. The cars also feature air purifiers using ozone to reduce unpleasant odors.^[11]

• The interior of an ordinary-class car in January 2018
• AC power outlets inside an ordinary-class car in January 2018
• The interior of a Green car in January 2018

Details of the new trains on order were first officially announced by JR East in February 2014.^[2]

The first trainset, consisting of one nine-car and one three-car set, was delivered from the Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-TREC) factory in Yokohama to Matsumoto Depot in July 2015.^[12][13] Mainline test running started on 29 July 2015.^[14] The pre-series train was formally shown off to the media on 2 August 2015.^[9]

As of June 2017^[update], the train was still undergoing test running.^[15]

In October 2017, JR East announced that the first trains would enter revenue service on Super Azusa services from 23 December 2017, by which date three pairs of (9+3-car) trainsets would be available.^[16]

The trains were awarded the 2018 Laurel Prize by the Japan Railfan Club. ^[17]

From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2018, all Super Azusa services will be operated by E353 series trains, and over the following two years, the E257 series trainsets used on Azusa and Kaiji services are also scheduled to be replaced by E353 series trains.^[18]

The manufacturer and delivery dates for the fleet are as shown below.