255 series

255 series
Be03 in August 2023
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Kinki Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation
Designer(s)	Kenji Ekuan
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1993 – 1994
Number built	45 cars (5 sets)
Dimensions	827 in (21,000 mm) (end cars) × 116 in (2,946 mm) × 149 in (3,785 mm)
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Traction system	Variable frequency (GTO, 2-level IGBT)
Service information
In service	2 July 1993 – 15 March 2024 (regular service)
Branding	Bōsō View Express
Formation	9 cars per set
Number in service	18 cars (2 sets)
Fleet numbers	Be01 – Be05
Scrapped	2024 – Present
Preservation information
Preserved	0
Number scrapped	27 cars (3 sets)

The 255 series, branded Bōsō View Express, is a Japanese limited express electric multiple unit operated by the East Japan Railway Company from July 1993 to March 2024 in regular service.

History

Branded the Bōsō View Express, the 255 series was designed in 1993 to replace aging 183 series sets on Sazanami services. These entered service on 2 July 1993 as a dedicated train that would take commuters from Tokyo to the Bōsō Peninsula and were specifically designed for that role.

Five nine-car sets, numbered Be01 to Be05, were produced. The sets were used on Sazanami, Shiosai and Wakashio services.

The 255 series sets are notable as being the first limited express train operated by JR East to use variable frequency drives; it was decided that the 255 series be adopted with variable frequency drives based on test results with prototype 209 series cars, the 901 series.

The sets were withdrawn from regular service on 15 March 2024; JR East has announced that they will be used on special charter trains following their withdrawal from regular service.

Design

Colors used

Color	Color name	Supposed to evoke:
	White	Beaches in the summertime
	Blue	The Pacific Ocean
	Yellow	Bright sunlight, color of the rapeseed (nanohana) in the Bōsō Peninsula

The 255 series uses a slightly streamlined design with a white body with yellow accents and blue skirting. The white body is supposed to evoke the color of beaches in the summertime, the blue skirting is supposed to evoke the color of the Pacific Ocean and the yellow accents are supposed to evoke the color of the nanohana flowers (rapeseed) in the Bōsō Peninsula, in addition to the bright sunlight. The sets's design was overseen by Kenji Ekuan of GK Design Group.

The 255 series' cab cars are externally extremely similar in design to that of the 253 series cars, with the only difference being some minor cosmetic changes; in fact, the 255 series' body design was based directly on the 253 series' body design.

Specifications

Construction is of steel. End cars are 21 meters long while intermediate cars are 20.5 meters long. Originally, the traction systems used were gate turn-off thyristor variable frequency drives manufactured by Toshiba, although refurbishment work has since taken place and the GTO inverters on most sets have since been replaced by new two-level insulated gate bipolar transistor variable frequency drives manufactured by Hitachi. The GTO inverters make a melodic wail as the train accelerates from idle, while the IGBT drives make a much quieter, wooshing noise.

The 255 series is equipped with a musical horn that is a little bit out of the ordinary when it comes to JR East's limited express fleet. The musical horn is usually blasted when a set is about to depart. This musical horn has only been used on two of JR East's limited express train sets, the other being the E351 series.

References

• Wikipedia.org