KuMoYa 740 series

KuMoYa 740 series
KuMoYa 740-53 in August 1994
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	JNR's Kōriyama Works
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1969 – 1970
Number built	5 cars
Dimensions	20,000 mm × Unknown × Unknown
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	20 kV AC (50/60 Hz)
Traction system	Resistor control
Service information
In service	March 1969 – 24 December 2008
Formation	Single car
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	KuMoYa 740-1 – KuMoYa 740-2, KuMoYa 740-51 – KuMoYa 740-53
Scrapped	2002 – 2008
Preservation information
Preserved	None
Number scrapped	5 cars

The KuMoYa 740 series was an electric tractor unit operated by the Japanese National Railways and its various successor companies from March 1969 to December 2008.

History

With an increasing number of electrified lines electrified using AC current, five 72 series cars were converted into tractor units at Kōriyama Works between March 1969 and April 1970; the first cars entered service in March 1969. These tractor units were originally classified as the KuMoYa 792 series and numbered KuMoYa 792-1, KuMoYa 792-2, KuMoYa 792-51 and KuMoYa 792-52 but were classified as KuMoYa 740 series cars in April 1970; KuMoYa 740-53, built the same month, was numbered KuMoYa 740-53 from the beginning and was not subject to a renumbering.

The -0 subseries cars were assigned to Minami-Fukuoka and the -50 subseries cars to Aomori, although KuMoYa 740-53 was reassigned to Minami-Fukuoka due to a reassignment of KuMoYa 441 series cars. When the JNR was privatized and divided into seven companies, KuMoYa 740-1 and KuMoYa 740-51 had already been withdrawn and scrapped; KuMoYa 740-2 and KuMoYa 740-53 were then assigned to JR Kyushu and KuMoYa 740-52 to JR East. KuMoYa 740-52 was withdrawn in 2002, KuMoYa 740-53 in 2005 and KuMoYa 740-2 on 24 December 2008. No KuMoYa 740 series cars have been preserved.

Design

The KuMoYa 740 series cars resembled other tractor units used by JNR. They featured the typical service car livery of Red No. 2 with a Cream No. 4 accent stripe.

Specifications

Construction was of steel. The -0 subseries cars were designed for use in colder climates and the -50 subseries cars in warmer climates. Despite the fact that the cars are AC only, they can run as a non-powered control car in DC sections of track.