Hiroshima “Red Wings”
JR West’s first new trains in over 30 years, the distinctive 227 series, went into operation on JR lines in the Hiroshima area on 14 March 2015, the same day as the opening of the Shin Hakushima JR and Astram Line stations.
The trains have unpainted stainless steel bodies, with red highlights and are branded “Red Wing”, after the prominent anti-fall plates on the front. The color design was thought up by industrial designer Kenji Ekuan, best known for the distinctive shape of Kikkoman soy sauce bottles, who recently passed away. By the end of 2018 it is planned that over 100 of the trains will completely replace the current aging fleet. After being tested on local lines over the past few months.
