253 series

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253 series
A 253 series train serving the Narita Express.

Top speed (service)	130 km/h
Top speed (design)	130 km/h
Gauge	1067 mm
Voltage	1500 V DC
Braking systems	Regenerative brake, Electric commanding brake
Safety systems	ATS-P, ATS-SN, ATC

The 253 series is a DC electric multiple unit operated by JR East. It was introduced on March 19, 1991, and is used exclusively on the Narita Express, a limited express service to Narita International Airport. They were manufactured by Kinki Sharyo and Tokyu Car Corp. Sets are formed as 3-car and 6-car units, running as up to 12-car formations in service.

It was the recipient of the 32nd Laurel Prize of the Japan Railfan Club. Extra sets were built in 2002 to cope with the increase in traffic during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. These sets are classified 253-200 series, and include minor improvements over the original 253-0 and 253-100 series sets, such as LED destination indicators, coventional rotating seats in standard class, and 2+1 seating in Green cars.

The standard-class seating arrangement used in the 253 series sets was unusual for Japanese limited express trains in consisting of European-style fixed 4-seat bays. This was reportedly not popular with Japanese passengers, however, and the seats were rearranged in a fixed unidirectional layout facing 4-set bays in the centre of each car between 2003 and 2004.