51 series

51 series
KuMoHa 54002 in November 1982
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Kawasaki Sharyō, Kisha Seizō, Niigata Tekkō, Nippon Sharyo, Tanaka Sharyō
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1936 – 1943
Number built	100 cars
Dimensions	17,000 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
Traction system model	CS5
Service information
In service	1936 – 14 February 1983
Formation	Single car, 3 cars per set
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	Various
Scrapped	1959 – 1986
Preservation information
Preserved	None
Number scrapped	100 cars

The 51 series was a Japanese commuter electric multiple unit operated by the Japanese National Railways from 1934 to February 1983.

Description

The 51 series was an early electric multiple unit used in Japan. The class was essentially an optimized version of both the 40 and 42 series sets, taking the best traits of both classes to allow it to operate during both express and non-express services. A total of 100 cars were manufactured by five companies from 1936 to 1984; they were classified the MoHa 51, MoHa 54, MoHaYuNi 61, KuHa 68 and KuRoHa 69 series respectively.

51 series cars were deployed mainly in the Tokyo and Keihanshin regions, mainly used on the Chūō Line (Rapid) on express services in the Kantō region and the Kansai Urban Network. Eleven cars were destroyed during World War II, while numerous other modifications were conducted on the cars; during World War II, many 40 and 42 series cars were renumbered and incorporated into this class. Many cars were renumbered again following naming regulations introduced on 1 June 1953, with the various existing series incorporated into each other. By the 1960s, many cars were taken off their urban services and moved to suburban lines. The last 51 series cars operated on the Iida Line, being withdrawn in 1983 with the introduction of 119 series cars. No 51 series cars or derivatives are known to have been preserved.

Specifications

The 51 series cars used the same body style as other JNR trains of the time period. It used a CS5 traction system controller, an improved version of Shibaura Seisakushō RPC101 controller, which was itself a copy of a General Electric PC controller.

There were a number of significant design changes made to the rolling stock over its production run.