785 series

785 series
NE502 on a Suzuran service in July 2023
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1990, 2002
Number built	37 cars
Dimensions	851 in (21,620 mm) (end cars) × 116 in (2,954 mm) × 161 in (4,090 mm)
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	20 kV AC (50 Hz)
Traction system	Variable frequency (GTO, IGBT)
Service information
In service	1 September 1990 – Present
Branding	Super White Arrow
Formation	2 or 5 cars per set
Number in service	10 cars
Fleet numbers	NE1 – NE5, NE303, NE501 – NE502
Preservation information
Preserved	0
Number scrapped	27 cars

The 785 series, branded SWA (Super White Arrow), is a Japanese limited express electric multiple unit operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company since September 1990.

History

The 785 series was designed to compete against high-speed bus services around the Hokkaido region. Jointly built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Hitachi, the first 30 cars, formed as five four-car sets (NE1 – NE5) and five two-car sets (NE101 – NE105), were delivered in 1990, and were used from 1 September 1990 on the new Super White Arrow service.

Two more sets, NE501 and NE502, were converted from sets NE101 and NE103 with an additional new-build car and NE102 and NE104 with an additional new-build car respectively in 2002, with the original two- and four-car sets being reformed to form a fleet of seven five-car sets (NE1 – NE5, NE501 – NE502) and one-spare two-car set (NE105), and remained in service in this form. Some sets had their cabs connected together to act as intermediate passenger cars; those cars had their windows blanked off, driver's doors welded up and any trace of electrical and control equipment removed.

The sets were reassigned to the Super Kamui service in 2007 after the Super White Arrow service was discontinued, but the trains retained their SWA branding. Two-car set NE105, stored out of service since 2002, was taken out of storage in 2010 and converted into the 785-300 series set NE303 to be used on Super Hakuchō services; one of the cab ends was blanked off, with all electrical equipment removed, including headlights and end-of-train lights. The 785-300 series was painted green, and was used in combination with 789 series sets on Super Hakuchō services.

Only NE501 and NE502 remain in operation as of 2023, both serving the Suzuran service. The first set to be scrapped, set NE303, was officially retired on 21 March 2016 and scrapped a few months later; sets NE1 to NE5 followed suit later in 2017.

The 785 series sets are notable for being the first variable-frequency drive-equipped train that was purchased by the then-newly formed JR Group.

Design

The 785 series adopted a modern design language for limited express trains; however, this design language would not be carried on onto more modern limited express trains built for JR Hokkaido.

Cab "variations"

There are four cab "variations" of the 785 series sets. One is the standard cab, another is the driving cab on set NE303, the third is a blanked-off cab used as an intermediate car and the fourth is the blanked-off cab used on set NE303.

Blanked-off cab cars-turned intermediate cars of set NE502

NE303 awaiting scrapping in September 2016

NE303 coupled with 789 series sets HE104 and HE204

Blanked-off cab end of NE303

Specifications

Construction is of stainless steel. End cars are 21.62 meters long while intermediate cars are 21.3 meters long. The 785 series sets, when originally built, made use of gate turn-off thyristor variable frequency drives manufactured by Hitachi; the Hitachi drives produce a unique cadence that is sustained for a fairly long period of time. The original ten sets were later refurbished to use insulated gate bipolar transistor drives manufactured by either Hitachi or Toshiba; the Hitachi drives produce a melodic wail while the Toshiba drives produce a hissing noise. Set NE303 was fitted with a different sort of variable frequency drive; an IGBT drive also produced by Toshiba which produces a loud hissing noise. The sets are fitted with two pairs of headlights; one mounted behind the front windshield and the other being top-mounted. Both pairs of headlights were originally shield-beam headlights, but the ones behind the front windshield were later replaced with high-intensity discharge lamps.

References

• Wikipedia.org