E531 series

The E531 series is a Japanese dual-voltage outer-suburban electric multiple unit operated by the East Japan Railway Company since July 2005, mainly on outer-suburban services out of Ueno on the Jōban Line.
==History==
The E531 series was designed in 2005 as a dual-voltage development of the E231-1000 series sets introduced five years prior, in addition to replacing the aging 415 series sets which had been used on the line for many years and to compete against the Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company.
When introduced, the E531 series sets began to displace the E501 series sets from services out of Ueno; all E501 series sets were displaced by 18 March 2007 with the introduction of the revised timetable. The E531 series sets operate from Ueno up to Iwaki. Seven more sets were built from 2016 to 2017 by J-TREC and classified as the E531-3000 series; these sets have improvements that allow them to withstand colder environments.
All sets are currently operational and are based at Katsuta Depot. The trains normally operate in a fifteen-car consist with a ten-car and five-car set coupled together.
==Design==
As a dual-voltage development of the E231-1000 series, the E531 series sets heavily resemble the E231-1000 series sets. The sets have white and blue accents.
==Specifications==
Construction is of stainless steel. Cars are 20 meters long and 2.95 meters wide. The E531 series sets use an insulated gate bipolar transistor variable frequency drive manufactured by Hitachi as a traction system, which produces a high-pitched hissing sound as the train accelerates from idle.
Sets K551 to K557 are numbered in the -3000 subseries and feature measures that allow the sets to withstand colder climates.
==References==
*Wikipedia.org
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:J-TREC locomotives
Category:Kawasaki locomotives
Category:Tokyu Car locomotives