Japanese Train Symbols
Here are the detailed explanations and information regarding the naming and numbering schemes used for all the Japanese train symbols.
Electric Trains | Shinkansen Bullet Trains | Diesel Trains | Electric Locomotives Diesel Locomotives | Passenger Cars | Freight Cars |
Electric Trains (Except Shinkansen Bullet Trains) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() (1)=Type (2)=Usage (3)=Electric System (4)=Classification (5)=Developed Order (6)=Classification Number (7)=Manufacturing Number | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Type | This symbol shows if the car is equipped with a motor or a cab.
Basic type are MO, KU and SA. Car with a cab is equipped with a motorman's seat (similar cars at both ends). Accompanying car is a train car without a motor or a cab. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2) Usage | This symbol shows what the car is used for.
Symbols may be combined with (1)Type and (2)Usage. For example, SAHASI, KUMOYUNI... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(3) Electric System | This symbol shows which electric is used for the car.
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(4) Classification | This symbol shows what type of train it is.
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(5) Developed Order | This number is used as a developed order of the train but this may not apply to newly developed trains. |
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(6) Classification Number | Depending on the operation area or manufacturing period, trains have a classification number such as Type *000. For example, Series 223 had the following classification numbers: Type 0, Type 100, Type 1000, Type 2000, Type 2500, Type 5000 |
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(7) Manufacturing Number | Basically, manufacturing number is named starting from 1 with its manufacturing order. |
Shinkansen Bullet Trains | |
![]() (1)=Classification (2)=Usage (3)=Type (4)=Classification Number (5)=Manufacturing Number | |
(1) Classification | These are the Shinkansen trains operated currently: [JR Tokai] Tokaido, Sanyo Shinkansen
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(2) Usage |
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(3) Type |
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(4) Classification | Depending on the operation area or manufacturing period, trains have a classification number such as Type 3000, 5000, 7000 |
(7) Manufacturing Number | The manufacturing number is numbered starting from 1 with its manufacturing order. |
Diesel Trains | ||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() (1)=Diesel Train (2)=Usage (3)=Engine (4)=Cab (5)=Manufacturing Number | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Diesel Train | All Diesel Train start with the symbol "KI". A car with a cab and without a motor is named as "KU". A car without a cab and a motor is named as "SA". | |||||||||||||||||||||
(2) Usage | This symbol shows what the car is used for.
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(3) Engine |
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(4) Cab |
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(5) Manufacturing Number | The manufacturing number is named starting from 1 with its manufacturing order. |
Electric Locomotives | |||
![]() (1)=Electric Locomotive (2)=Number of Driving Axles (3)=Electric System and Speed (4)=Developed Order (5)=Classification Number (6)=Manufacturing Number | |||
(1) Electric Locomotive | All Electric Locomotive starts with the symbol "E". | ||
(2) Number of Driving Axles | This shows how many driving axles the locomotive is equipped with.
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(3) Electric System and Speed | Japan National Railway Type (this will not apply to new locomotives which have 3 digit numbers)
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Low Speed would be maximum speed lower than 85km/h. High speed would be maximum speed higher than 85km/h. Newly developed locomotives with 3 digit numbers are of the following 6 types:
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(4) Developed Order | This number is used as a developed order of the locomotive but this may not apply to newly developed locomotives. | ||
(5) Classification Number | Depending on the operation area or manufacturing period, trains have a classification number (there are some locomotives without this number). | ||
(6) Manufacturing Number | The manufacturing number is allocated starting from 1 with its manufacturing order. |
Diesel Locomotives | |
![]() (1)=Diesel Locomotive (2)=Number of Driving Axles (3)=Speed (4)=Developed Order (5)=Classification Number (6)=Manufacturing Number | |
(1) Diesel Locomotive | All Diesel Locomotives start with the symbol "D". |
(2) Number of Driving Axles | This shows how many driving axle the locomotive is equipped.
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(3) Speed | Japan National Railway Type (this will not apply to new locomotives)
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Low Speed would be maximum speed lower than 85km/h. High speed would be maximum speed higher than 85km/h. | |
(4) Developed Order | This number is used as a developed order of the locomotive but this may not apply to newly developed locomotives. |
(5) Classification Number | Depending on the operation area or manufacturing period, trains have a classification number (there are some locomotives without this number). |
(6) Manufacturing Number | The manufacturing number is allocated starting from 1 with its manufacturing order. |
Passenger Cars | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() (1)=Weight Category (2)=Usage (3)=Electric System (4)=Classification (5)=Developed Order (6)=Classification Number (7)=Manufacturing Number | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Weight Category | This symbol shows the weight of the car.
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(2) Usage | This symbol shows what the car is used for.
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(3) Classification Number | Depending on the operation area or manufacturing period, trains have a classification number such as Type 20. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(4) Car Number | Car number (each number are different with the cars). |
Freight Cars | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(1) Usage | This symbol shows what the car is used for.
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(2) Weight Category | This symbol shows the load capacity of each car.
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(3) Classification Number | Depending on the operation area or manufacturing period, cars have a classification number. |