JR Shikoku 5000 series

The JR Shikoku 5000 series and the related 223-5000 series, 5100 and 5200 series, branded Marine Liner, is a Japanese rapid express electric multiple unit operated by the Shikoku Railway Company since October 2003 on Marine Liner rapid express services.
==History==
The 5000 series was designed to replace the older 213 series sets which were used on Marine Liner services. The sets were built in 2003; the first set, M1, was delivered to JR Shikoku in 2003 and entered service on 1 October that year on revenue earning services; the remaining sets entered service shortly after.
A total of six three-car sets were built; all six sets are in service and are based at Takamatsu Depot. As the 5100 series bilevel cars were voted as the most outstanding design of that year, they are the recipients of the 2004 Blue Ribbon Award.
==Design==
The 5000 series adopt a modern design language for most cars; the panoramic cars use a new design while the non-panoramic cab ends have designs based on the 223 series. The sets have unpainted bodies with blue, seafoam green and white accents on a black background or red, yellow, purple or white accents on a black background; the former color scheme is used on sets M1 to M3 while the latter is used on sets M4 to M6.
===Variations===
There are two cab variations of the 5000 series sets. One is a standard 223 series cab, while the other is the panoramic cab. The panoramic cab has two side design variations: blue, seafoam green and white accents on a black background or red, yellow, purple or white accents on a black background.
5000 M5 JR Shikoku Takamatsu 2007.jpg|5000 series set M2 at Takamatsu Station on the Seto-Ōhashi Line in August 2007.
5000 M3 JR Shikoku Takamatsu 2008.jpg|5000 series set M3 at Takamatsu Station on the Seto-Ōhashi Line in February 2008.
==Specifications==
Construction is of stainless steel. The 5100 series cars are 20.86 meters long, 2.95 meters wide and 4.07 meters high. The three-car sets consist of three cars; 5000, 5100 and 5200 series cars. The 5100 series cars are non-powered double-deck cars with a large front windshield which allows for a commanding view of the tracks ahead; however, they act as control cars. The 5200 series cars are intermediate trailer cars. The 5000 series cars are the only actual powered cars and use Mitsubishi three-level insulated gate bipolar transistor variable frequency drives which produce a hissing sound.
The 5000 series is equipped with a musical horn which is standard on most of JR West's commuter fleet. The 5000 series sets are the only JR Shikoku trains that are equipped with musical horns.
==References==
*Wikipedia.org
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:Kawasaki locomotives
Category:Tokyu Car locomotives