Although two car sets of 105 series EMU were needed for the start of rural
services of the newly electrified Nara line between Kyoto and Kizu, the
Sakurai line between Nara and Takata, and theWakayama line between Oji
and Wakayama, budget restraints of Japanese National Railways (JNR) prevented
the construction of new trains. And instead, former Joban Line 103-1000
series EMU cars made surplus by the introduction of 203 series EMUs were
modified with the addition of new cab ends. These vehicles were classified
into 105-500 series. 105-500 series differ from former 105-0 series in
having four pairs of doors on each side. The front profile of trailer end
cars, Kuha105-0, diverted from the end cars of 103-1000 series was different
from that of 105-0 series. The front profile of the other end cars with
the addition of new cab ends was same as that of 105-0 series. All vehicles
are equipped with the gangway and the automatic jumper coupler in order
to couple/uncouple formations easily. The destination indicator screens
are not fitted because these vehicles were modified from 103-1000 series.
The series-wound brushed DC traction motors (MT55A) are controlled by CS51A
traction system featuring rheostatic control. Coil spring bogies are DT33
for motored end cars, Kumoha105, TR212 for Kuha105-500, and DT21T for Kuha104-500.
Seating is longitudinal throughout. The sets are not equipped with toilets.
All trailer end cars were later modified with the addition of toilets.
105-500 series were not equipped with the air conditioner at the beginning,
but JNR fitted some vehicles with the concentrated air conditioner, AU75,
and JR West fitted the other vehicles with low-cost air conditioner, WAU202.
Since Kuha105-7 greatly damaged in a railway level crossing accident, a
motored intermediate car, Moha102-385, was modified into a trailer end
car with the addition of the cab section of Kuha105-7, and was classified
into Kuha104-550. In addition, some vehciles were received extensive life-extension
refurbishment.
Although 105-500 series had been used on the rural services of Kure, Kabe,
Nara, Sakurai and Wakayama lines, 105-500 series trains used on the rural
services of Kure and Kabe lines were displaced with 227-0 series in 2016.
105-500 series used in he rural services of Nara line were displaced with
103 series or 221 series. Now 105-500 series are used on the rural services
of Sakurai and Wakayama lines. |
|
