Difference between 系 and 番台


There are multiple series of Japanese trains, such as E233系3000番台, 223系9000番台,
etc. I think both 系 and 番台 can be translated as "series". What is the
difference between 系 and 番台 in this context? Is this naming convention
specific to trains, vehicles, etc.?




I am not a
[[撮り鉄]{とりてつ}](https://dic.nicovideo.jp/a/%E6%92%AE%E3%82%8A%E9%89%84) or
something who is a train freak taking a photo of trains, so this is a layman
perspective.

According to
[[鉄道]{てつどう}の[車両番号]{しゃりょうばんごう}](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%89%84%E9%81%93%E3%81%AE%E8%BB%8A%E4%B8%A1%E7%95%AA%E5%8F%B7),
○○[形]{けい} or ○○[型]{けい} which is the model of a train (e.g. [Boeing
737](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737#737_Original_\(first_generation\)#Genrations_and_varinats)
is the model of a Boeing airplane) with the same performance, same equipments,
or same features, etc.

○○ **[系]{けい}** is used to describe a group of the model.

○○○○[
**[番台]{ばんだい}**](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%95%AA%E5%8F%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%88%86)
is a serial number which is used to describe a train with the same
performance, same equipments, or some same features. The same model can be
manufactured by a different train company (i.e JR西日本 and JR東海 may manufacture
same model with different serial number for different areas).

That is to say, **[番台]{ばんだい}** is normally attached with **[系]{けい}**.

I am not sure about it is the similar to a car model registration system.
Probably there is the same model of a car which has a different name by a
different company due to branding perspective.

If I were a branding manager of a car company, I want to name a car
["Corolla"](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%A8%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BB%E3%82%AB%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A9)
as much as I could. I think it is a different naming convention from a public
transportation like train vehicles.




I am not a
[[撮り鉄]{とりてつ}](https://dic.nicovideo.jp/a/%E6%92%AE%E3%82%8A%E9%89%84) or
something who is a train freak taking a photo of trains, so this is a layman
perspective.

According to
[[鉄道]{てつどう}の[車両番号]{しゃりょうばんごう}](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%89%84%E9%81%93%E3%81%AE%E8%BB%8A%E4%B8%A1%E7%95%AA%E5%8F%B7),
○○[形]{けい} or ○○[型]{けい} which is the model of a train (e.g. [Boeing
737](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737#737_Original_\(first_generation\)#Genrations_and_varinats)
is the model of a Boeing airplane) with the same performance, same equipments,
or same features, etc.

○○ **[系]{けい}** is used to describe a group of the model.

○○○○[
**[番台]{ばんだい}**](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%95%AA%E5%8F%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%88%86)
is a serial number which is used to describe a train with the same
performance, same equipments, or some same features. The same model can be
manufactured by a different train company (i.e JR西日本 and JR東海 may manufacture
same model with different serial number for different areas).

That is to say, **[番台]{ばんだい}** is normally attached with **[系]{けい}**.

I am not sure about it is the similar to a car model registration system.
Probably there is the same model of a car which has a different name by a
different company due to branding perspective.

If I were a branding manager of a car company, I want to name a car
["Corolla"](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%A8%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BB%E3%82%AB%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A9)
as much as I could. I think it is a different naming convention from a public
transportation like train vehicles.

