Four six-car sets (T01–T03, T06) and five three-car sets (T11–T13, T15, T17) are used on Thunderbird services. These trains feature Thunderbird branding. Also four six-car sets (W01–W04) and four three-car sets (W11–W14) were used on Hakutaka services. These trains featured "White Wing" logos.[4]
From February 2015, Hakutaka W sets began being repainted into the same livery as 683 series trainsets used on Shirasagi services, with thin blue and orange lines below the window band.[5]
681-1000 series
The pre-series six-car set (T18) and one three-car set (T07) are used on Thunderbird services.[4]
681-2000 series
Two six-car sets (N01–N02) and two three-car sets (N11–N12) were formerly used on Hokuetsu Express Hakutaka services. These trains featured "Snow Rabbit Express" logos.[4]
JR-West Shirasagi livery (681-0 series)
Hokuetsu Express livery (681-2000 series)
Gangwayed cab car
A refurbished 681-0 series set
Interior
681-1000 series Standard-class saloon
681-0 series odd number car Standard-class saloon
681-0 series even number car Standard-class saloon
681-0 series Green car saloon
Refurbishment
All of the 681 series trainsets used on Thunderbird limited express services underwent a programme of refurbishment from autumn 2015 until the end of fiscal 2018.[6]
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to JR West 681.
^ ab JR電車編成表 2016冬 [JR EMU Formations – Winter 2016] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. November 2015. pp. 359, 422. ISBN978-4-330-62315-3.
^ JR全車輌ハンドブック2006 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2006] (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 2006. ISBN978-4-7770-0453-9.
^Sugiyama, Junichi (23 November 2014). "特急「はくたか」在来線最速160km/h! ほくほく線の黄金時代" [Limited express "Hakutaka" up to 160 km/h on conventional line! Golden Ages of Hokuhoku Line]. news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
^ abc JR電車編成表 2009夏 [JR EMU Formations – Summer 2009] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. June 2009. p. 132. ISBN978-4-330-06909-8.
^特急〈はくたか〉681系に〈しらさぎ〉色編成現る [Hakutaka 681 series trainsets appear in Shirasagi livery]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
^より快適に!北陸~近畿を結ぶ特急「サンダーバード」、車両リニューアルへ [Rolling stock to be refurbished for Thunderbird limited express trains linking Hokuriku and Kinki]. Tetsudo Shimbun (in Japanese). Japan. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
Further reading
オールガイド681・683系 [Full Guide: 681/683 Series]. Japan Railfan Magazine. 49 (577): 56–65. May 2009.
北越急行681・683系 [Hokuetsu Express 681/683 Series]. Japan Railfan Magazine. 49 (577): 46–55. May 2009.