42 series

42 series
KuMoHa 42001 in October 2023
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Kawasaki Sharyō, Kisha Seizō, Nippon Sharyo, Osaka Tekkō, Tanaka Sharyō, Umebachi Sharyō
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1933 – 1935
Number built	105 cars
Dimensions	20,000 mm × Unknown × Unknown
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	20 July 1934 – 14 March 2003
Formation	Single car, 3 cars per set
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	Various
Scrapped	1964 – 2000
Preservation information
Preserved	1 car
Number scrapped	104 cars

The 42 series is a Japanese commuter electric multiple unit operated by the Japanese National Railways from July 1934 to March 2003.

Description

The 42 series was an early electric multiple unit used in Japan. Mainly intended to be used in the Keihanshin area such as on the Tōkaidō and San'yō Main Lines, the trains were introduced into service on 20 July 1934 when the Suita-Suma sections of the JNR network was electrified. The cars were designed to compete against the Shinkeihan Railway and Hankyu Railway's rolling stock, being intended for longer distance services, featuring two doors per side and two-abreast seating.

Of the various trains that were modified by the JNR during the Pacific War, the 42 series cars underwent some of the most drastic changes, with some gaining additional doors and their traction motors changed to more powerful ones. The sets were moved to Yokosuka in 1950s in exchange for the MoHa 41 series cars in use in the Tokyo region during that time. The cars would see out their careers in Shizuoka and would later be moved to rural areas in the 1960s.

The sets in use on the Iida Line were withdrawn in 1978 and those in use on the Minobu Line were withdrawn in 1981. Three cars used on the Onoda Line's Motoyama branch line would continue to see use, being introduced there in 1957; they were numbered KuMoHa 42001, 42005 and 42006. KuMoHa 42005 was withdrawn in 1985; when the JNR was privatized and split, JR West took ownership of the remaining two cars. When JR East withdrew KuMoHa 12052 and 12053 in March 1996, KuMoHa 42001 and 42006 attracted attention as being the last old-style JNR electric railcars in revenue service. KuMoHa 42006 was withdrawn from service in 2000 while KuMoHa 42001 was withdrawn from service on 14 March 2003 and replaced with 123 series cars.

Following its withdrawal KuMoHa 42001 has been stored at Shimonoseki Rolling Stock Depot. It is occasionally wheeled out for events and photography sessions.

Specifications

The 42 series cars had the same basic design as the older 40 series cars introduced in 1932 and used the same basic traction motor and traction system design; this was disadvantageous against the private railways they were intended to compete against, being slower and less powerful than other trains the private railways had introduced around that time. After the Pacific War many cars were refurbished with newer motors for use for longer distance services.

Preservation

The following 42 series cars have been preserved:

Car number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired	Previous sets	Location	Notes
KuMoHa 42001	Nippon Sharyo	July 1933	March 2003	N/A	Shimonoseki Rolling Stock Depot, Shimonoseki, Japan	Remains on JR West's fleet register