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 since 2001.

Variants

683-0 series

The first subseries consists of 54 cars composed of 6 6-car trains (W31–W36) and 6 3-car trains (V31–V36) built in 2001–2002.

683-2000 series

87 cars were built in 3-car and 5-car sets. This subseries was subsequently transferred to the

289 series The is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) in Japan on limited express services in the Kyoto and Osaka area since October 2015. The trains were converted from former dual-voltage (1,500 ...

with their AC equipment removed. The move was made after the opening of the

Hokuriku Shinkansen The Hokuriku Shinkansen () is a high-speed Shinkansen railway line connecting Tokyo with Tsuruga, Fukui, Tsuruga in the Hokuriku region of Japan. It is jointly operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR ...

and the associated discontinuation of service by these sets on the

Hokuhoku Line The is a Japanese railway line in Niigata Prefecture that runs from Muikamachi in Minamiuonuma City to Saigata in Jōetsu City. It is the sole railway line operated by . Construction of the line first began in 1968 by the Japanese National ...

683-4000 series

108 cars were built in 9-car sets for a total of 12 trainsets. File:JR West 683 series EMU 421.JPG, 683-4000 series

683-8000 series

This is the designation given to a 6-car train (N03) and a 3-car train (N13) formerly owned by Hokuetsu Express for services on the ''Hakutaka'' limited express. At the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in March 2015, the sets were transferred to JR West.

Operations

JR-West

* '' Thunderbird'' * '' Shirasagi'' * ''

Biwako Express The is a commuter limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between and or in Japan since June 2003. It replaced the previous ''Biwako Liner'' services. Service pattern , one weekday morning service ('' ...

'' * ''Ohayō Express'' * ''Oyasumi Express'' * ''

Dinostar The was a limited express train service operated by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between and in Japan via the Hokuriku Main Line from 14 March 2015 until 15 March 2024. Service outline Three return services operated daily betwee ...

'' (from 14 March 2015) * ''

Noto Kagaribi The is a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between and in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, via the IR Ishikawa Railway Line and Nanao Line since 14 March 2015. Service outline Five return services o ...

'' (from 14 March 2015) * ''

Kuroshio The , also known as the Black Current or is a north-flowing, warm ocean current on the west side of the North Pacific Ocean basin. It was named for the deep blue appearance of its waters. Similar to the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic, the Ku ...

'' (from 13 March 2015)

Hokuetsu Express

* ''

Hakutaka The is a high-speed ''shinkansen'' train service jointly operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between and on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line in Japan. The shinkansen service was introduced o ...

'' (until 12 March 2015)

JR Central

* ''Home Liner Ōgaki'' rapid service (until 13 March 2015) * ''Home Liner Sekigahara'' rapid service (until 13 March 2015)

Formations

The various formations are configured as follows.

3-car sets

''Thunderbird'' sets

''Shirasagi'' sets

The KuHa 682 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

5-car sets

''Shirasagi'' sets

The SaHa 682 and KuRo 682 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

6-car sets

''Thunderbird'' sets

The SaHa 682 cars are each fitted with one scissors-type pantograph.

9-car sets

''Thunderbird'' sets

The SaHa 682 cars are each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.

Interior

File:JRW series683-2000 ordinarycar-inside-1.JPG, 683-2000 series odd number car Standard-class saloon, January 2012 File:JRW series683-2000 ordinarycar-inside-2.JPG, 683-2000 series even number car Standard-class saloon, January 2012 File:JRW series683-2000 greencar-inside.JPG, 683-2000 series Green car saloon, January 2012 File:JRW 683-4000 greencar.jpg, 683-4000 series Green car saloon, June 2010

Refurbishment

All of the 683 series trainsets used on ''Thunderbird'' limited express services are scheduled to undergo a programme of refurbishment from autumn 2015 until the end of fiscal 2018. The first set treated, nine-car 683–4000 series set T51, was returned to revenue service in September 2015.

Conversion to 289 series

From 2015, 85 former ''Shirasagi'' 683 series vehicles were converted and reformed to become DC-only

EMUs, formed as three-car, four-car, and six-car sets for use on ''

Hashidate The is a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Japan. One of the services making up JR West's "" in northern Kansai, it connects Kyoto Station, Amanohashidate Station and Toyooka Station via the Sani ...

'', '' Kinosaki'', '' Kounotori'', and '' Kurioshio'' limited express services in the Kyoto and Osaka area.

References

* * * {{A-Train Electric multiple units of Japan West Japan Railway Company Hitachi multiple units Train-related introductions in 2001 20 kV AC multiple units Kawasaki multiple units 1500 V DC multiple units of Japan Kinki Sharyo multiple units