443 series

443 series
Set D01 in May 2021
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Kinki Sharyo
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1975
Number built	4 cars (2 sets)
Dimensions	20,800 mm × 2,900 mm × 3,930 mm
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	25 kV AC (50/60 Hz), 1,500 V DC
Traction system	Resistor control
Service information
In service	June 1975 – July 2021
Formation	2 cars per set
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	D01 (formerly D1) KuMoYa 442-1 – KuMoYa 442-2, KuMoYa 443-1 – KuMoYa 443-2 (former)
Refurbished	2016
Scrapped	2003, 2021
Preservation information
Preserved	None
Number scrapped	4 cars (2 sets)

The 443 series was a Japanese two-car electric multiple unit operated by the Japanese National Railways and later by its successors the and later by the East and West Japan Railway Companies from June 1975 to July 2021 for inspection purposes.

History

The 443 series was designed to replace old inspection trains owned by the JNR, as well as to improve accuracy checks of overhead lines and signal inspections and save labor throughout the JNR. Two two-car sets were manufactured by Kinki Sharyo for use by the JNR, numbered KuMoYa 443-1 and 443-2 respectively. When the JNR was privatized, KuMoYa 443-1 was taken over by JR East and KuMoYa 443-2 by JR West.

JR East's set was based at Katsuta Depot while JR West's set was based at Kyoto Depot. JR East's set was scrapped in 2003 with the introduction of the more modern E491 series inspection train, leaving only JR West's set in operation. The set was refurbished in 2016 with more modern underfloor equipment and given the fleet number of D1 (later changed to D01); D01 was also exhibited at the Kyoto Railway Museum for a time in 2020. With the introduction of the more modern DEC741 series set, D01 was retired from service in July 2021 and scrapped.

Design

The 443 series use a contemporary high-cab design similar to many other limited express trains of the time, featuring dual headlight clusters and opening flaps where the horns are situated. The cars are painted in Vermillion No. 13 "Azuki" with Cream No. 4 "Wheat" accents, the standard colors for dual-voltage trains at the time.

Specifications

Cars are constructed of steel. The trains are largely based on the 485 series and KiYa 191 series cars which were also in production at the time. The cars in the set are constructed for various purposes: the KuMoYa 443 car is used for overhead line inspections while the KuMoYa 442 car is used for signal inspections. As the cars are used for overhead line inspections, the cars are capable of switching between AC and DC power through a switch in a control panel in the KuMoYa 443 car. A camera for overhead line inspections is also present on the same car, and a roof-mounted speedometer is also present. The equipment inside the cars used to be a number of different lights and switches, but have since been updated to full color LCD screens and digital calculators. Markings on the sides of the cars read "Electric Inspection Test Car". The 443 series sets also feature a special combined Knuckle-Shibata coupler mounted 90 degrees from one another on a rotating post.

Gallery of equipment

Most pictures were taken in the 1980s.

Driving console with AC/DC selector switch on bottom left

Assistant's console

Inspection camera (replaced with high-performance unit)

Higher-performance inspection camera

View out of manual inspection window (now rarely used)

Inspection equipment (now replaced with more modern LCD equipment)

Modern LCD inspection equipment

Ceiling-mounted speedometer

Signal inspection equipment (now replaced with higher-performance and more compact units)

Combined Shibata-Knuckle coupler