185 series

185 series
B6 in August 2023
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1981 – 1982
Number built	227 cars
Dimensions	798 in (20,280 mm) (end cars) × 116 in (2,946 mm) × 160 in (4,066 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	26 March 1981 – 12 March 2021 (regular service)
Branding	Express 185
Formation	5, 6, 7 or 10 cars per set
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	A1 – A9, C1 – C7, OM01 – OM09, B1 – B7
Scrapped	2021 – Present
Preservation information
Preserved	1 car (cab only)
Number scrapped	N/A

The 185 series, sometimes branded the Express 185, is a Japanese limited express electric multiple unit operated by the Japanese National Railways and its successor company the East Japan Railway Company from March 1981 to March 2021 in regular service.

History

The 185 series was designed in 1981 to replace aging 153 series cars on Izu services, in addition to being able to act as a general-purpose train that could also serve on local services. The 185 series sets entered service on 23 March 1981.

Some sets were originally based at Tamachi Depot, but those sets were transferred over to Ōmiya Depot from 16 March 2013 with the introduction of that year's revised timetable.

The 185 series is notable as being the last limited express electric multiple unit ever built for the JNR before it was privatized. However, it was not the last limited express electric multiple unit designed for the JNR; that honor would go to the 187 series, which was designed in 1985, but none were ultimately built due to a variety of reasons.

The trains were retired from regular service on 12 March 2021, making these the last JNR-era limited express trains to be retired. As of 2023, the 185 series sets are only used on special or temporary services, with two 6-car sets, C1 and B6, registered in JR East's rosters.

Design

The 185 series uses a traditional design with a white body and various accents based on the service the set is used on.

Specifications

Construction is of steel. End cars are 20.28 meters long while intermediate cars are just 20 meters long. Traction motors are resistor controlled, which was considered obsolete by then due to the introduction of the variable frequency drive; the traction motors are of the same type as used on the 117 series (which have never been operated by JR East).

A unique trait of the 185 series sets is that the doors are 1,000 millimeters wide as compared to the 700 millimeter-wide doors of most limited express train sets; this is due to an above specification stating that the 185 series should be able to act as a train that could serve on local services if necessary.

Preservation

The following 185 series cars have been preserved:

Car number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired	Previous sets	Location	Notes
KuHa 185-110	Nippon Sharyo	August 1981	May 2013	C5	Ōmiya General Rolling Stock Center, Ōmiya, Japan	Cab only, not usually open for public viewing

References

• Wikipedia.org