255 series

"Boso View Express" redirects here. For the train simulator, see BVE Trainsim.

255 series
Bōsō View Express
A 255 series EMU on a Shiosai service in June 2021
In service2 July 1993 – 2024
ManufacturerKinki Sharyo, Tokyu Car
Family nameBōsō View Express
Replaced183 series
Constructed1993–1994
Entered service2 July 1993
Number built45 vehicles (5 sets)
Number in service27 vehicles (3 sets)
Number retired18 vehicles (2 sets)
SuccessorE259 series (Shiosai)
Formation9 cars per trainset
Fleet numbersBe01 – Be05
OperatorsJR East
DepotsMakuhari
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length21,000 mm (68 ft 11 in) (end cars)
20,500 mm (67 ft 3 in) (intermediate cars)
Width2,946 mm (9 ft 8.0 in)
Height3,785 mm (12 ft 5.0 in)
Doors1 sliding door per side
Maximum speed130 km/h (80 mph)
Traction systemVariable frequency (IGBT)
Power output95 kW x 16 = 1,520 kW
Electric system(s)1,500 V DC overhead
BogiesDT56E (motored), TR241E (trailer)
Safety system(s)ATS-P, ATS-SN
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 255 series (Japanese: 255系), branded Bōsō View Express (房総ビューエクスプレス), is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan. It was introduced into commercial service on 2 July 1993,[1] and was specifically designed to be used on limited express services from Tokyo to the Bōsō Peninsula.

Design

The trains were built jointly by Kinki Sharyo and Tokyu Car,[2] with a steel body design based directly on the earlier 253 series EMUs built for Narita Express services, although the window height was increased by 100 mm.[3] It is the first JR East limited express rolling stock to feature VVVF Gate turn-off thyristor traction control systems, based on the results of trials with the prototype 209 series commuter EMUs.[3]

DT56E bogies are used on motored cars, and TR241E bogies are used on trailer cars.[3]

Operations

Sōbu Main Line

Sotobō Line

Formations

The five 9-car sets, numbered Be01 to Be05, are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end. Trains consist of four motored "MoHa" and five "KuHa", "SaHa", and "SaRo" trailer cars.[1][3]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Designation Tc' M2 M1 Ts T2 T1 M2 M1 Tc
Numbering KuHa 254 MoHa 254 MoHa 255 SaRo 255 SaHa 254 SaHa 255 MoHa 254 MoHa 255 KuHa 255
Weight (t) 31.1 35.7 33.6 29.2 28.1 27.3 35.7 33.6 31.7
Seating capacity 64 64 68 42 58 64 64 68 52

Cars 2 and 8 are each equipped with one PS26A scissors-type pantograph.[1]

Passenger facilities

  • Green (first class) car: Car 4
  • Toilets: Cars 2, 4, 5, 7, 9
  • Wheelchair space: Car 5
  • Telephone: Car 4

Interior

Seating is arranged 2+2 abreast in both standard class and Green class, with a seat pitch of 970 mm (38 in) in standard class, and a seat pitch of 1,160 mm (46 in) in Green class.[3]

  • Green car (SaRo 255-1) interior view
    Green car (SaRo 255-1) interior view
  • Green class seating
    Green class seating
  • Standard class car (MoHa 254-2) interior view
    Standard class car (MoHa 254-2) interior view
  • Standard class seating
    Standard class seating

History

A 255 series set on a Sazanami service in March 2008, with original front-end skirt design

The first two sets, Be01 and Be02, were delivered in March and April 1993, entering revenue service from 2 July 1993 on View Wakashio and View Sazanami limited express services.[4] Three more sets, Be03 to Be05, were delivered in October and November 1994.[4]

From the start of the revised timetable on 12 December 2000, the Green car (car 4) was made entirely no smoking.[4]

The destination indicators on the sides of cars were changed from the original roller blind type to LED indicators between October and November 2005.[4]

From the start of the revised timetable on 10 December 2005, View Wakashio and View Sazanami services were renamed simply Wakashio and Sazanami, and 255 series sets were also introduced on Shiosai services.[4] All cars were made no-smoking from this date.[4]

The front-end skirt design was modified during 2010.[1]

From 2014, the 255 series sets were retrofitted with IGBT-based traction control systems.[5]

Withdrawal

Initially, the 255 series sets were slated to be withdrawn from Wakashio, Sazanami, and Shiosai services before the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2024,[6][7] however, their withdrawal from regular service was deferred until June 2024 with the last regularly scheduled Sazanami and Wakashio services using this series taking place on 28 and 29 June respectively.[8] They have since remained in limited operation for special services.[7] Set Be05 was withdrawn from service in June 2024,[8] followed by set Be01 in July 2024.[9]

See also

  • E257 series, also used on Bōsō limited express services

References

  1. ^ a b c d JR電車編成表 2012冬 [JR EMU Formations – Winter 2012]. Japan: JRR. October 2011. p. 50. ISBN 978-4-330-25611-5.
  2. ^ Saka, Masahiro (March 2014). JR第1世代の車両・現況と概要 [JR 1st-generation rolling stock: Current situation and overview]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). 43 (359): 22.
  3. ^ a b c d e Nomoto, Hiroshi (July 1993). 255系特急形直流電車 [255 series DC limited express EMU]. Railway Journal (321): 82–89.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g JR電車編成表 2009夏 [JR EMU Formations – Summer 2009]. Japan: JRR. June 2009. p. 48. ISBN 978-4-330-06909-8.
  5. ^ 「E」のつかない特急型は2系式に JR東日本初期に登場した車両の現在と今後は？ [Only two limited express types without "E" exist. What is the current status and future of the vehicles that appeared during the early days of JR East?]. RM News. Japan: Neko Publishing. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  6. ^ "2023【ダイヤ改正日】 2024年3月16日（土） - JR東日本" [2023[Timetable revision date] Saturday, March 16, 2024 - JR East] (PDF) (in Japanese). JR East. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  7. ^ a b JR東日本255系、特急「ビューさざなみ」「ビューわかしお」9月運転 [JR East to operate 255 series EMUs on limited express "View Sazanami" and "View Wakashio" services from September]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 12 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b "【詳報】2024年3月ダイヤ改正からの延長運用～特急「わかしお」「さざなみ」の255系定期運用終了" [[Details] Extended operation from March 2024 timetable revision - End of regular operation of 255 series limited express trains “Wakashio” and “Sazanami”]. RM News (in Japanese). Neko Publishing. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  9. ^ "255系Be-01編成が郡山へ" [255 series set Be-01 to Koriyama]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
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