JR Central will cease commercial operation of the 311 series trains that were active in the Nagoya area on Monday, June 30, 2025.
The 311 series, introduced on the Tokaido Main Line in 1989, was the first commuter train on the company’s conventional lines to achieve a maximum speed of 120 km/h. The interior is lined with convertible cross seats that prioritize comfort, and as a successor to the 117 series trains from the JNR era, they were primarily used for the new rapid trains, which were the fastest type of service at the time.
The reduction in travel time for the new rapid was a major advantage over rival Nagoya Railroad (Meitetsu) between Toyohashi Station, Nagoya Station, and Gifu Station, and played a role in instantly increasing JR’s presence in intercity transportation. Rapid service operations have decreased, with the 313 series introduced later taking over the main role, and in recent years it has mainly been used as a local train on the Tokaido Main Line.
JR Central is currently increasing the number of the latest 315-series trains, and the 311-series trains, which are one of the trains to be replaced, began to be scrapped in 2022. It has been decided that all trains will cease commercial operation at the end of June 2025, and the two four-car trains that will be the last to be scrapped will be gradually decorated with thank-you headmarks and interior and exterior decorations from Friday, May 30th onwards.
On July 12 (Sat) after the train’s retirement, Club Tourism will run a special tour where you can ride the 311-series train, commonly known as the “scrapping deadhead,” which will be sent to the vehicle dismantling site. You can enjoy the “real final run” on a route that is usually off-limits, including the car washing at Ogaki Vehicle Depot and the storage area for scrapped cars near Hamamatsu Station.
