BEC819 series

The BEC819 series, commonly known as the 819 series and branded DENCHA (Dual Energy Charge Train) and Commuter Train 819, is a Japanese commuter battery electric multiple unit operated by the Kyushu Railway Company since October 2016.
==History==
The BEC819 series was designed in 2016 to replace aging KiHa 40 series cars used on non-electrified sections of lines for a long time. A total of 14 cars were built, with the first set entering service on 19 October 2016 for use on the non-electrified sections of the Chikuhō Main Line.
The sets are based at Nōgata Depot. The sets are used on the non-electrified sections of the Chikuhō Main Line and also can perform through-running through to the Fukuhoku Yutaka Line.
As the BEC819 series sets were voted as the most outstanding design of that year, it is the recipient of the 2017 Blue Ribbon Award.
==Design==
The BEC819 series adopted a modern design language for commuter trains on the JR Kyushu system. This design language was adopted for most of JR Kyushu's commuter trains. In fact, the BEC819 series sets takes design inspiration from the 817 and 305 series sets, so design language from both trains carry over.
The sets have unpainted aluminum bodies with black and blue accents, with Commuter Train 819 and DENCHA graphics splashed on the front. Each set has a blue Commuter Train 819 logo on the sides of each car. The overall design of the sets was overseen by famed industrial designer Eiji Mitooka.
==Specifications==
Construction is of a double-skinned aluminum alloy based on the Hitachi A-Train concept. Cars are 20 meters long, 2.95 meters high and 4.096 meters high. The 817 series sets use insulated gate bipolar transistor variable frequency drives manufactured by Hitachi which produce a hissing sound.
The sets are equipped with underfloor lithium-ion storage batteries, enabling them to run over non-electrified lines. The use of the lithium-ion storage batteries is based on test results produced by 817-1000 series set VG114, which was converted in 2013 to become a battery-electric multiple unit. The front facade of the sets is practically almost identical to that of the older 817 series sets, albeit that the BEC819 series sets use LED fixtures as opposed to shield beam headlights.
The onboard batteries can be charged via two methods; through the train's regenerative brakes which route some of the power from braking to charge the batteries, or through overhead lines. The sets normally undergo charging at a small electrified section at the end of the non-electrified section of the Chikuhō Main Line.
==References==
*Wikipedia.org
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:Battery-electric trainsets
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Hitachi locomotives