The is a dual-voltage

electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number o ...

(EMU) train type operated by

West Japan Railway Company , also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group (JR Group) companies and operates in western Honshu. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka. It is listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is a constituent of the TOPIX Large70 index, ...

(JR-West) on

limited express A limited express is a type of express train or express bus service that stops at fewer locations compared to other express services on the same or similar routes. Japan The term "limited express" is a common translation of the Japanese ...

services in Japan.

Variants

681-0 series

Four six-car sets (T01–T03, T06) and five three-car sets (T11–T13, T15, T17) are used on '' Thunderbird'' services. These trains feature ''Thunderbird'' branding. Also four six-car sets (W01–W04) and four three-car sets (W11–W14) were used on '' Hakutaka'' services. These trains featured "White Wing" logos. From February 2015, ''Hakutaka'' W sets began being repainted into the same livery as

683 series The is a dual-voltage electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) on limited express services in Japan since 2001. Variants 683-0 series The first subseries consists of 54 cars composed of 6 6-ca ...

trainsets used on '' Shirasagi'' services, with thin blue and orange lines below the window band.

681-1000 series

The pre-series six-car set (T18) and one three-car set (T07) are used on ''Thunderbird'' services.

681-2000 series

Two six-car sets (N01–N02) and two three-car sets (N11–N12) were formerly used on Hokuetsu Express '' Hakutaka'' services. These trains featured "Snow Rabbit Express" logos. File:JRW-Series681 W08.jpg, JR-West ''Shirasagi'' livery (681-0 series) File:Hokuhoku line hakutaka13 service.JPG, Hokuetsu Express livery (681-2000 series) File:JRW Series681-0 Shirasagi-12.jpg, Gangwayed cab car File:681系リニューアル車.jpg, A refurbished 681-0 series set

Interior

File:JRW series681-1000 ordinarycar-inside.JPG, 681-1000 series Standard-class saloon File:681kei syanai.JPG, 681-0 series odd number car Standard-class saloon File:681kei syanai 2.JPG, 681-0 series even number car Standard-class saloon File:JRW series681 greencar-inside.jpg, 681-0 series Green car saloon

Refurbishment

All of the 681 series trainsets used on ''Thunderbird'' limited express services underwent a programme of refurbishment from autumn 2015 until the end of fiscal 2018.