Background and overview
In, 1993, JR East developed intercity DC electric multiple unit (EMU) trains,
255 series, in order to compete against high-speed bus services and private
automobiles with the extension to Kisarazu of the Kita-Kanto Expressway,
and replace superannuated 183 series DC intercity EMU trains introduced
for the start of electrified Uchibo/Sotobo lines in 1972. JR East delivered
two 9-car sets consisting of 4 powered vehicles and 5 trailer vehicles.
Car body
They have 2946mm wide body. Their body is constructed by ordinary steel,
employing stainless plates for their floor against corrosion. Their roof
is covered with polyurethane waterproof coating for anti-corrosion improvement.
End vehicles are not gangwayed, having wide three-dimensional curved windscreen
and two small curved windows on the right and left side of their windscreen.
Their driver's seat is fitted toward the centre of the vehicle to ensure
visibility. Their body design is based directly on the earlier 253 series
EMUs built for "Narita Express" intercity services, although
the window height was increased by 100 mm. They are equipped with two 1000mm
wide single-leaf sliding doors for class kuha255 vehicles or one door for
the others, and the horizontal band fixed windows adopting the double-glazing
glass on each side of their body. Traditional destination rollsigns are
fitted on the side of their body. One heat pump air conditioner, AU812,
rated at 28,000kcal/h/unit, is fitted on their roof of the rear. Electric
fans of air conditioner supply fresh air into the passenger room, instead
of ventilators on the roof. Their livery is bay beach white with sunny
yellow accents and Pacific Ocean blue skirting. The upper and lower parts
of the windscreens is painted in black with a white "BOSO VIEW EXPRESS
255" logo splashed in front.
Bogies
Motored bogies are DT56E and trailer bogies are TR241E, featuring bolster-less
secondary air suspension, rolled rubber spring journal supporting system,
and the Z link traction device. They also employ the yaw dampers and anti-rolling
stabilizers to ensure smooth ride characteristics even at 130km/h. Twin
Disc (TD) flexible joint employing deflecting plates made of carbon-fiber
reinforced plastic (CFRP) is applied for power transmission device. Motored
bogies employ single tread brake device and trailer bogies employ both
single disk brake device and single tread brake device.
Traction unit and ancillary equipments
It is the first JR East intercity EMU train to feature the inverter traction
control system. Their powered vehicles are equipped with Variable-frequency
drive (VFD) traction system traction system, CS38, featuring Gate turn-off
(GTO) thyristor and controlling four higher rotatable asynchronous traction
motors, MT67, with a power output of 95kW on axle basis. The self-chilling
heat pipe cooler is employed for the cooling system of GTO thyristor. The
gear ratio is 6.06 to realize the maximum service speed at 130km/h. Class
moha254 vehicles are equipped with an inverter auxiliary power supply,
SC39, with a power output of 190kVA under the floor. Class moha255 and
kuha254 vehicles are equipped with a motor driven air compressor, MH3094A-C2000MF.
Class moha255 vehicles are also equipped with a diamond shaped current
pickup, PS26A. 255 series feature the electric commanding brake with regenerative
brake and holding brake, featuring brake control of trailer priority. They
also employ anti-slip control by axle-driven tachometer generator fitted
to each axle in order to achieve brake performance efficiently even at
130km/h. The signal multiplex transmission system which has used for the
control of service equipments is also introduced for the control of the
traction and brake system. The end cars are equipped with the ATS-P, and
ATS-SN signaling systems, and prepared to be equipped with the ATC signaling
system under their floor.
Accommodation
All seats are adjustable reclining. 1st class vehicles have 2+2 abreast
seating with 1160mm seating pitch and standard class vehicles have 2+2
abreast seating with 970mm seating pitch. 1st class seats are fitted close
to the wall in order to widen the seat by introducing moveable structure
toward aisle to keep the distance between the wall and the seat while seat
rotating. A glass partition is fitted at the centre of 1st class passenger
saloon to divide into smoking seats and nonsmoking seats. All seats are
equipped with a built-in armrest tray which is available while seats facing
each other. 1st class seats are also equipped with a seatback table. They
adopt roller blinds. FM transmitter is employed for the indoor music programme
services. A LED display for providing passenger information is fitted above
the door between a vestibule and a passenger saloon. The baggage shelf
to store large suitcases with two stages are fitted beside doorways or
in the passenger saloon. Class saro254, moha254 and kuro255 vehicles are
equipped with a western style toilet, a flushing urinal, and a wash room.
Each toilet has a chemical holding tank. Class saha254 vehicles are equipped
with a universal access toilet and a multi-purpose room. A public telephone
room and a vending machine are located on class moha255 and saro 254 vehicles.
As for the device of driving cab, one handle master controller operated
by the left hand is adopted.
Operations
They entered "View Sazanami" intercity revenue services linking
Tokyo and Chikura, and "View Wakashio" intercity revenue services
linking Tokyo and Awa-Kamogawa in July, 1993.
Additional delivery
JR East additionally delivered three 9-car sets in 1994. They have some
changes namely having side windows having 60mm extended height, anti-fall
plates between vehicles excepting the cab end, and reading lights fitted
under the luggage rack.
Modification and refurbishment
From 2004, a refurbishment programme was commenced on 255 series. Their
traction systems are displaced with new traction system, SC111, employing
Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) controls eight traction motors
on vehicle basis. This traction system is fitted under the floor of class
moha255 vehicles. Their auxiliary power unit is displaced with a duplex
auxiliary power supply featuring 3-step inverter, SC92A, with a power output
of 190kVA under the floor. The ATS-P, and ATS-SN signaling systems are
replaced with a new ATS-P signaling system integrated with ATS-SN.
Latest operation status
After additional delivery in 1994, 255 series had been used on all trains
departing from/arriving at Chikura, and some trains departing/arriving
at Tateyama of "View Sazanami" intercity services. 255 series
had also been used on five round trips of "View Wakashio" intercity
services. However, all trains of "View Sazanami" intercity services
and most of "View Wakashio" intercity services were displaced
with E257-500 series EMU. Surplus 255 series vehicles began to be used
on "Shiosai" intercity services linking Tokyo and Choshi.
255 series are now used on "Shiosai" and "Wakashio"
intercity services. |
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