485 series

485 series
JNR-style "bonnet"-style set on a Raichō service in September 2003
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Kisha Seizō, Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1964 – 1987
Number built	1,453 cars
Dimensions	Various
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	20 kV AC (50/60 Hz), 1,500 V DC
Traction system	Resistor control
Service information
In service	25 December 1964 – 11 December 2022
Formation	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12 or 13 cars per set
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	Various A1+A2, A3+A4, A1 – A2, A4 – A6, Dk01, Dk08 – Dk13, Do1 – Do32, G1, K1 – K2, K30, N201, R21 – R23, R25 – R28, T11 – T18, TG01 – TG02, YD01 (known numbers as of March 2018)
Preservation information
Preserved	7 cars
Number scrapped	1,446 cars

The 485 series, and the similar 481 and 483 series, are Japanese dual-voltage limited express electric multiple units operated by the Japanese National Railways and its various successor companies from December 1964 to December 2022. Essentially the face of JNR's limited express operations, the 485 series has been widely used around Japan and has been manufactured in a multitude of different body styles and configurations.

History

Descended from the old 481 and 483 series types (which are practically identical apart from designations), the 485 series has been used on various services since 1964. A sub-series of the 485 series, the 489 series, was manufactured in 1972 and was most notably used on Noto overnight sleeper services.

Numerous 485 series cars were converted into Joyful Train sets from the 1980s to 2000s. These include the Hana, Irodori, Kirakira Uetsu, New Nanohana, Resort Express Yū, Seseragi, Sylphide, Utage and Yamanami sets. Some sets were further converted into other Joyful Train sets.

The last "bonnet"-type sets were retired around 2003, the last JNR-style sets were retired in June 2016, the last sets were retired from regular service in March 2017, while the final Joyful Train sets were retired in December 2022.

Design

The sets have been manufactured in a multitude of different body styles, with additional body styles being created over the years. Older sets had distinctive "bonnet"-shaped front ends inspired by the 181 series, while later sets adopted a more traditional "gangway" body style. Joyful Train sets run by 485 series cars have a multitude of body styles.

Many styling trends for express trains in Japan at the time featured many elements inspired by automotive design, hence the hood-shaped front as seen on the 485 series. By the late-1960s however this style had begun to look dated and as such new design trends emerged, with many of the following JNR express trains featuring a simpler gangwayed design.

Specifications

Construction is of steel. Each car is 20.7 meters long. Traction motors are resistor controlled, which was standard for the time. The 485 series sets can be arranged in a number of configurations, ranging from three to thirteen cars long.

Preservation

The following 485 series cars have been preserved:

Car number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired	Previous sets	Location	Notes
KuHa 481-26	Kisha Seizō	August 1965	July 2007	K26	The Railway Museum, Saitama, Japan	Used for training purposes at Katsuta Depot in final years
MoYa 484-2	Hitachi	February 1972				Used for training purposes at Katsuta Depot in final years, coupled to KuHa 481-26; restored to previous appearance as MoHa 484-61
KuHa 481-1508		June 1974	July 2015	T18	Niitsu Railway Museum, Niigata, Japan	Displayed since October 2015
KuHa 481-603	Nippon Sharyo	June 1969	March 1995	N/A	Kyushu Railway History Museum, Kitakyushu, Kyushu, Japan	Stored at Kokura General Rolling Stock Center until 2003
KuHa 481-246	Tokyu Car Corporation	August 1973	2013	Dk01		Cab only
KuHa 481-256	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	September 1973	October 2016	Do32	Kokura General Rolling Stock Center, Kokura, Kyushu, Japan	Rarely available for public viewing
SaShi 481-48		October 1972	February 1987	N/A	Iwate, Japan	Dining car, formerly used as a café, currently used as a warehouse; in very poor cosmetic condition

The following 485 series cars were preserved in the past but have since been scrapped:

Car number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired	Previous sets	Last location	Notes
KuRo 481-2001	Tokyu Car Corporation	September 1978	August 2011	A01	JR West Suita Works, Osaka, Japan	Panoramic Raichō cab car, scrapped post-2013
SaRo 481-41	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	June 1972	June 1990	N/A	Yūfutsu, Hokkaido, Japan	Dining car, converted to drive-in after retirement, preserved alongside SaHaNe 581-14 and 36; scrapped in 2005
SaShi 481-43		August 1972	February 1987		Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan	Dining car, privately owned, converted to cafeteria, scrapped in 2003; owned by same owner as SaRo 481-99
SaRo 481-99	Hitachi	September 1973	March 1986			Dining car, privately owned, converted to cram school, scrapped in 2010; owned by same owner as SaShi 481-43
SaShi 481-24	Kinki Sharyo	August 1969	July 1985		Kokura Station, Kokura, Kyushu, Japan	Dining car, served as Train d'or French restaurant in front of station, scrapped after low footfall after some years
SaShi 481-26	Hitachi	March 1970	November 1985		Kagoshima-Chūō Station, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan	Dining car, served as Vesuvio Italian restaurant in front of respective stations, scrapped after low footfall after some years
SaShi 481-30	Tokyu Car Corporation	August 1972	December 1985		Minami-Miyazaki Station, Miyazaki, Kyushu, Japan
SaRo 481-16	Hitachi	July 1965			Sendai Station, Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan
SaShi 481-27	Tokyu Car Corporation	December 1971	February 1987		Takatomo Wonder Farm, Miyagi, Japan	Dining car, converted into restaurant along with various other JNR railcars; scrapped in September 2008 due to body corrosion

Gallery

Later-style set A1+A2 on a Tsubasa Relay service in September 2015

485-3000 series set R21 in March 2015

Panoramic 485 series set A01 on a Raichō service in February 2011

Bonnet-style set on a Midori service circa 1982

References

• Wikipedia.org