KuMoYa 90 series

KuMoYa 90
KuMoYa 90103 in August 1996
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	JNR's Hamamatsu Works, JNR's Hatabu Works, JNR's Kōriyama Works, JNR's Nagano Works, JNR's Ōi Works, JNR's Takatori Works
Manufacturer(s)	JNR
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1966 – 1979
Number built	36 cars
Dimensions	Unknown
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Traction system	Resistor control
Service information
In service	1966 – 2002
Formation	Single car
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	KuMoYa 90000 – KuMoYa 90022, KuMoYa 90051 – KuMoYa 90055, KuMoYa 90101 – KuMoYa 90105, KuMoYa 90201 – KuMoYa 90202, KuMoYa 90801 – KuMoYa 90805
Preservation information
Preserved	None
Number scrapped	35 cars

The KuMoYa 90 series is a series of thirty-six Japanese non-revenue earning tractor units operated by the Japanese National Railways and its various successors from 1966 to 2002.

History

The KuMoYa 90 series was an early tractor unit used by the Japanese National Railways. The locomotives were designed to replace the KuMoYa 22 series maintenance-of-way locomotives that had been in use since 1960.

Thirty-six surplus 72 series cars were selected for the modifications, with conversion works taking place at JNR's various plants from 1966 to 1979. When rebuilt the trains generally retained the bodies of their passenger counterparts although some got modifications over time. These were split into five different subseries, the -0, -50, -100, -200 and -800 subseries.

Initially placed at various depots, the KuMoYa 90 series cars were replaced by 143 series cars in their duties and moved around. When the JNR was privatized and split into seven different companies, thirteen cars were in service; JR East and Central received three cars each while JR Central received seven cars. JR East retired their locomotives in 1997, JR Central in 1999 and JR West in 2002.

KuMoYa 90005 was the only preserved KuMoYa 90 series car; it was stored at Hamamatsu Works for a number of years before it was moved out in 2011 to the SCMaglev and Railway Park for display. It has since been restored to its original appearance as MoHa 63638.

Design

The KuMoYa 90 series cars generally took the same design as the cars they were converted from. KuMoYa 90102 through 90105 featured new bodies based on that of the 143 series cars used to replace them.

Specifications

The -0 subseries cars were modified from 72 series cars, which in turn were modified from 63 series cars. KuMoYa 90015 has an experimental pantograph used to defrost ice; it was damaged in a fire in 1972 and rebuilt.

The -50 subseries cars feature changeable brake types, changed using an internal switch. Externally they are identical to the -0 subseries cars. The -100 subseries cars are improved versions of the -50 subseries cars able to withstand snow and ice. The -200 subseries cars are similar to the -100 subseries cars but feature different jumper cables for different multiple unit workings.

The -800 subseries cars feature low roofs, allowing them to be used on smaller tunnels such as those on the Chūō Main Line.