143 series

143 series
KuMoYa 143-52 in September 2018
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Hitachi, Kinki Sharyo
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1977 – 1982
Number built	36 cars
Dimensions	20,000 mm × 2,800 mm × 4,100 mm
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Traction system	Resistor control
Service information
In service	1977 – 2 August 2022
Formation	Single car
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	KuMoYa 143-1 – KuMoYa 143-21, KuMoYa 143-51 – KuMoYa 143-52, KuMoNi 143-1 – KuMoNi 143-8, KuMoYuNi 143-1 – KuMoYuNi 143-4, KuMoYu 143-1 – KuMoYu 143-3
Preservation information
Preserved	1 car
Number scrapped	35 cars

The 143 series is a Japanese electric tractor unit operated by the Japanese National Railways and its successor company the East Japan Railway Company from 1977 to August 2022.

History

The 143 series cars were designed as a dedicated switching locomotive for use by the JNR. 36 cars were built in total. KuMoNi 143-4 and 5 were rebuilt to become KuMoYa 143-51 and 52 respectively in 1986 at Niitsu Works.

The vast majority of the cars were scrapped in the 2010s; by 2022 only three cars remained operational. The last car, KuMoYa 143-52 was retired on 2 August 2022; despite its retirement from service it remains in use as a switching vehicle within the Nagano General Rolling Stock Center.

Design

The 143 series cars featured a squared off design similar to many switching vehicles of the time.

Specifications

Construction is of steel.

Preservation

The following 143 series cars have been preserved:

Image	Car number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired	Previous sets	Location	Notes
	KuMoYa 143-52	Kinki Sharyo	1981	August 2022	N/A	Nagano General Rolling Stock Center, Nagano, Japan	Ex-KuMoNi 143-5; used as switching locomotive within premises