MoHa 1 series

MoHa 1 series
MoHa 1035 in January 2023
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	JNR
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1928
Number built	68 cars
Dimensions	16,790 mm × 2,700 mm × 4,185 mm
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	1 October 1928 – July 1953
Formation	Single car
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	MoHa 1001 – MoHa 1068
Preservation information
Preserved	1 car
Number scrapped	67 cars

"MoHa 1 series" is a term used to refer to a specific type of early electric multiple unit operated by the Japanese National Railways.

History

The term "MoHa 1 series" refers to a set of what would ultimately become 68 railcars operated by the JNR. The term itself refers to a specific set of ordinary class railcars with a 105 PS traction motor. A total of 64 ex-DeHa 6340 series and DeHa 33500 series railcars were renumbered in 1928 to MoHa 1001 through 1064; four additional cars, converted from three additional DeHa 6340 series cars and one DeHa 33400 series car, were also given temporary numbers of MoHa 1065 through 1068 and will also be included in this count.

Mainly used on the Iida and Kabe Lines, a number of MoHa 1 series cars were transferred to various private railways from 1933 to 1938 and given modifications accordingly due to their older equipment. When new numbering regulations came into effect on 1 June 1953, the two remaining MoHa 1 series cars, MoHa 1034 and 1043, were redesignated the KuHa 2400 series, technically marking the end of the MoHa 1 series's existence as a designation; the older "MoHa 1" designation however remained on the cars's sides. Renumbered KuHa 2400 and 2401, both cars were withdrawn from JNR use in July 1953 and resold to the Seibu Railway, where they were used until 1977.

MoHa 1035 is the only preserved MoHa 1 series car. The car was originally built in 1922 as DeHa 33509 by Kisha Seizō and renumbered MoHa 1035 in 1928. It was transferred to the Sanshin Railway in 1938 and renumbered De 308; the car came back under JNR ownership in 1943 when JNR acquired the Sanshin Railway in 1943 and renumbered back to MoHa 1035. When it was retired in 1953, the car was sold to the Ōigawa Railway where it was renumbered MoHa 301 and operated until 1970. Restored back to its former appearance as MoHa 1035, the car was put on display at Senzu Station; JR Central purchased MoHa 1035 in November 1994 and restored it in January 1997. The car was stored at Ina-Matsushima Rolling Stock Depot for some years before it was moved to the SCMaglev and Railway Park in 2011, where it remains today.

Preservation

The following MoHa 1 series cars have been preserved:

Car number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired	Past numbers	Location	Notes
MoHa 1035	Kisha Seizō	1922	June 1953	DeHa 33509 (1922) MoHa 1035 (1928) De 308 (1938) MoHa 301 (1953)	SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya, Japan	Ex-DeHa 33509; restored by JR Central in January 1997