255 series

"Boso View Express" redirects here. For the train simulator, see BVE Trainsim.

255 series
A 255 series EMU on a Wakashio service in August 2019
Manufacturer	Kinki Sharyo, Tokyu Car
Family name	Bōsō View Express
Replaced	183 series
Constructed	1993–1994
Entered service	2 July 1993
Number built	45 vehicles (5 trainsets)
Number in service	45 vehicles (5 trainsets)
Formation	9 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	Be01 - Be05
Operators	JR East
Depots	Makuhari
Lines served	Sōbu Main Line, Sotobō Line, Uchibō Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Car length	21,000 mm (68 ft 11 in) (end cars) 20,500 mm (67 ft 3 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	2,946 mm (9 ft 8.0 in)
Height	3,785 mm (12 ft 5.0 in)
Doors	1 sliding door per side
Maximum speed	130 km/h (80 mph)
Traction system	Variable frequency (IGBT)
Power output	95 kW x 16 = 1,520 kW
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead
Bogies	DT56E (motored), TR241E (trailer)
Safety system(s)	ATS-P, ATS-SN
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 255 series (255系), branded Bōsō View Express (房総ビューエクスプレス), is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan. It was introduced into commercial service on 2 July 1993, and was specifically designed to serve on Limited express services from Tokyo to the Bōsō Peninsula.

Design

The trains were built jointly by Kinki Sharyo and Tokyu Car, with a steel body design based directly on the earlier 253 series EMUs built for Narita Express services, although the window height was increased by 100 mm. It is the first JR East limited express rolling stock to feature VVVF Gate turn-off thyristor traction control systems, based on the results of trials with the prototype 209 series commuter EMUs.

DT56E bogies are used on motored cars, and TR241E bogies are used on trailer cars.

Operations

Sōbu Main Line

• Shiosai: Tokyo - Chōshi (since 10 December 2005)

Sotobō Line

• Wakashio: Awa-Kamogawa - Tokyo
• Shinjuku Wakashio: Shinjuku - Awa-Kamogawa

Formations

The five 9-car sets, numbered Be01 to Be05, are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end. Trains consist of four motored "MoHa" and five "KuHa", "SaHa", and "SaRo" trailer cars.

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Designation	Tc'	M2	M1	Ts	T2	T1	M2	M1	Tc
Numbering	KuHa 254	MoHa 254	MoHa 255	SaRo 255	SaHa 254	SaHa 255	MoHa 254	MoHa 255	KuHa 255
Weight (t)	31.1	35.7	33.6	29.2	28.1	27.3	35.7	33.6	31.7
Seating capacity	64	64	68	42	58	64	64	68	52

Cars 2 and 8 are each equipped with one PS26A scissors-type pantograph.

Passenger facilities

• Green (first class) car: Car 4
• Toilets: Cars 2, 4, 5, 7, 9
• Wheelchair space: Car 5
• Telephone: Car 4

Interior

Seating is arranged 2+2 abreast in both standard class and Green class, with a seat pitch of 970 mm (38 in) in standard class, and a seat pitch of 1,160 mm (46 in) in Green class.

• 
  Green car (SaRo 255-1) interior view
• 
  Green class seating
• 
  Standard class car (MoHa 254-2) interior view
• 
  Standard class seating

History

A 255 series set on a Sazanami service in March 2008, with original front-end skirt design

The first two sets, Be01 and Be02, were delivered in March and April 1993, entering revenue service from 2 July 1993 on View Wakashio and View Sazanami limited express services. Three more sets, Be03 to Be05, were delivered in October and November 1994.

From the start of the revised timetable on 12 December 2000, the Green car (car 4) was made entirely no smoking.

The destination indicators on the sides of cars were changed from the original roller blind type to LED indicators between October and November 2005.

From the start of the revised timetable on 10 December 2005, View Wakashio and View Sazanami services were renamed simply Wakashio and Sazanami, and 255 series sets were also introduced on Shiosai services. All cars were made no-smoking from this date.

The front-end skirt design was modified during 2010.

See also

• E257 series, also used on Bōsō limited express services

External links

• 255 series Shiosai/Wakashio/Sazanami (in Japanese)