485-300series
485-0 series
485-200 series
485-300 series
485-1000 series
485-1500 series
485-3000 series
489 series

Type index

Photos

Kuha481-300
"Kaetsu" (withdrawn)



Kuha481-300
"Super Raicho" (withdrawn)



Kuha481-300
"Shirasagi" (withdrawn)



Kuro481-2000
"Super Raicho" (withdrawn)



Kuro480-2300
"Raicho"



Kuro481-2100
"Raicho"

"Kaetsu" services linking Maibara and Kanazawa
Background and overview
Class kuha481-200 end vehicles had problems with drafts entering through the gangway door fitted at the front and a narrow cab. In addition, the accommodation having rotating transverse seating was inferior compared to 183 series standard class accommodation having reclining seating. Thus, Japanese National Railways introduce not gangwayed end vehicles and improved standard class accommodation to 485 series and classified them into 485-300 series.

Car body
They have 2946mm wide body. Their body design incorporates lightweight shaped steel and pressed forming beam to realize a lightweight body, employing weatherproof high tension steel sheet for the skin and the roof. Their end vehicles are changed into no gangwayed, and the body length is 250mm stretched to realize larger driver's cab. Their end vehicles feature raised driver's cab with plane glass windscreens. A roller binding built-in classification headboard and an inverted triangle gunmetal intercity express emblem are fitted at the front of end vehicles. A headlight employing the sealed beam light bulb and a taillight are longitudinally fitted each side of the classification headboard. "JNR" logo made of stainless steel is applied to each side of the end section. They are equipped with a 700mm wide single-leaf automatic sliding stepped doors, and small fixed double-grazing windows per each 1st class seating or wide fixed double-glazing windows aligned two standard class seating bays. Heat absorbent glass is employed for all windows. Their door operating equipment, TK100B, is fitted on the door header of the sliding door. A restaurant car has a shunting control position on each end of the vehicle. A destination rollsign is fitted on each side of the body excepting restaurant cars. Class moha484-200/-600 vehicles are equipped with an air conditioner, AU71A, rated at 28,000 kcal/h and forced draught ventilators on the roof, the others 5 AU13EN rated at 5500kcal/h and forced ventilators. Their livery is cream with red wide band around side windows and red narrow skirting.

Bogies
The 485-300 series are equipped with DT32E bogies on the powered vehicles and TR69E bogies on the trailers, featuring diaphragm air springs for the secondary suspension, the top of which is slanted in lateral direction, and pedestal type journal supporting system. Their secondary airbag suspension is not mounted to their body directly but mounted in the bogie unit. The parallel cardan drive with hollow shaft is applied for the power transmission device. The gear ratio is 3.50. Their brake rigging is a single tread brake for powered and double disk brake for trailer.

Traction unit and ancillary equipments
Eight series-wound brushed DC traction motors, MT54D, with a power output of 120kW are controlled by the armature-resistance traction control system, CS15F, fitted to class moha485 powered intermediate vehicles. CS15F features holding breaking and free selectable speed control. Class moha484 powered intermediate vehicles are equipped with a traction transformer employing silicone oil for electric insulation, TM20, and a traction rectifier not employing Polychlorinated biphenyl coolant, RS22A, under the floor. They are also equipped with two current pickups, PS16H, connected with the cable bus, and an air-blast circuit breaker, CB103A, on the roof. The traction rectifier of some class moha484-200 vehicles is RS45. Class kuha481-300 end vehicles are equipped with a motor generator, MH129-DM88, with a power output of 210kVA under the floor, an air compressor, MH113B-C2000M under the co-driver's position, and an overhead line voltage detector on the roof of the cab. Class sashi481 vehicles are equipped with a motor generator, MH94-DM58, with a power output of 70kVA. They adopt electromagnetic straight air brake with the rheostatic brake with pressure intensifying braking over 110km/h to shorten braking distance.

Accommodation
1st class vehicles have 2+2 abreast reclining seating, R27, with 1160mm seating pitch, and standard class vehicles have 2+2 abreast reclining seating, R51AN, with 910mm seating pitch. All vehicles adopt sliding curtains on side windows and roller blinds are adopted together for 1st class. Restaurant vehicles adopt venetian blinds fitted in the side windows. 1st class vehicles are equipped with a Japanese style toilet, a washroom, and conductor's rooms toward the front of the vehicle, and a western style toilet and a washroom at the rear of the vehicle. Standard class vehicles are equipped with a Japanese style toilet and a washroom toward the doorway. All toilets employ a chemical holding tank. Restaurant vehicles have a galley and a service entrance for foodstuff toward the front of the vehicle, and a dining room with ten 4-seat tables on both sides located toward the rear. A galley is equipped with a sink, a serving table, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a western style toilet. An aisle is located next to the galley so that passengers can pass through the car to the rest of the train.

Additional delivery
Trailer bogies of 485 series built in May 1975 onward were changed into TR69H featuring the diaphragm brake cylinder. As a countermeasure against the fluent flashover failure of the motor generator caused by snowmelt water, 1st class trailer intermediate vehicles, saro481-115, -116, -122, -127, and -128 are additionally equipped with a stand-by motor generator, MH129-DM88, and a stand-by air compressor, MH113B-C2000M, under the floor. Furthermore, A Japanese toilet and a washroom of them were changed into catering rooms.
On the other hand, standard class trailer intermediate vehicles, saha481, delivered to sued on "Raicho" services in 1976 are additionally equipped with a conductor room and a catering room located at the toward rear of the passenger room, and classified into class saha481-100.

Modification and refurbishment
Japanese National Railways
Class saro481-100 modification to fit a motor generator and an air compressor
Japanese National Railways fitted a motor generator, MH129-DM88, with a power output of 210kVA and an air compressor, MH113B-C2000M under the floor in 1978.

Kumoha485-102 to -108
JNR fitted moha485-231, and -240 to -245 with an additional 485-1000 style cab section at the front in 1986, and sliding doors are also relocated to the rear. This vehicle is used for a 3-car or 5-car set and class kuha481 has an air compressor and a motor generator that are sufficient to secure the capacity. So, it is not equipped with an air compressor and a motor generator.

Kuroha481-301 and -302
JNR changed the front half of the passenger room of kuha481-309 and -354 into 1st class coach and classified them into class kuroha481-300 in 1986. The accommodation of the 1st class coach has the high-level floor and 2+2 abreast reclining seating, R27, with 1200mm seating pitch transplanted from scrapped 1st class vehicle. 1st class and standard class cabins are separated by the wall having an automatic door, and a luggage lack is fitted beside the wall of 1st class side.

Saro481-503 to -509
JNR replaced the buffet section located toward the rear of sashi481-69, -70, -71, -73, -74, -81, and -82 with 7 tatami mats floor bays and the shoji with a glass bottom half is fitted on the side window to introduce EMU vehicles having Japanese style interior branded "Danran" to "Raicho" intercity services. The galley located toward the front was replaced with the refreshment counter having a microwave and an electric stove. Furthermore, shunting control positions on both end of the vehicle, and a urinal for employees were removed. Their livery is cream with red wide band around side windows, gold lining below the red wide band, and red narrow skirting.

JR East
Kuroha481-303
JR East changed the front half of the passenger room of kuha481-348 into 1st class coach and classified them into class kuroha481-303 in 1988. The accommodation of the 1st class coach has the high-level floor and 2+2 abreast reclining seating, R27, with 1210 seating pitch transplanted from scrapped 1st class vehicle. 1st class and standard class cabins are separated by the wall having an automatic door.

Class saha481-301, -302, and -304 to -308
JR East displaced the seating of saro481-126, -129, saro183-1051, -1054 converted from class saro481, and saro189-51 to -53 with 2+2 abreast reclining seating, R55C, with 960mm seating pitch converted from saro 481 to make 485 series train sets into only standard class. An air compressor was removed from vehicles converted from class saro189.

JR West
Class kuro480-1000
JR West fitted class saro489-1000 with an additional 485-1000 style cab section at the rear in 1987 to make some of 7-car sets of 485 series used on "Hokuetsu" intercity services 6-car sets. Catering rooms were changed into a toilet and a washroom. An air compressor fitted under the floor was relocated under the co-driver's cab, and a motor generator, MH129-DM88, with a power output of 210kVA is located under the floor. They are also equipped with 5 air conditioners, AU13E, rated at 5500 kcal/h on the roof.

Class kuro481-2300
Due to the popularity of the "Kagayaki" services linking Kanazawa and Nagaoka operated by 4-car sets of 485 series, JR West replaced existing seating of kuha481-307, -325, and -327 with 2+1 abreast reclining seating with 1180mm seating pitch for 1st class service in 1991. These seats are equipped with the ports for headphones for the audio entertainment. The toilet is changed into Western style.

Class kuro481-2000
Background and overview
JR West fitted class saro489-1000 vehicles with a panoramic end section to introduce 1st class observation vehicle to "Super Raicho" intercity services over the period from 1988 until 1991 and classified them kuro481-2000.

Car body
The driver's cab is not raised, and windscreen features large curved windowpane with a receding angle at 50 degrees. Rectangle shaped headlights employing sealed beam light bulbs and rectangle shaped LED taillights are fitted below the windscreen. Additional rectangle shaped headlights are also fitted behind the upper part of the windscreen. The height of side windows is made 76mm higher upward. They are equipped with 5 air conditioners, AU13EN, rated at 5500 kcal/h on the roof.

Bogies
They are equipped with TR69H bogies featuring diaphragm air springs for the secondary suspension, the top of which is slanted in lateral direction, and pedestal type journal supporting system. Their secondary airbag suspension is not mounted to their body directly but mounted in the bogie unit. Their brake rigging is double disk brake.

Ancillary equipments
They are equipped with a motor generator, MH129-DM88, carried from class saro489-1000 with a power output of 210kVA. An air compressor, MH113B-C2000M, which class saro489-1000 is equipped with is relocated to class saro481-2000.

Accommodation
Seating accommodation is 2+1 abreast reclining seating with 1160mm seating pitch located on the floor raised 150mm from the aisle. These seats are equipped with the ports for headphones for the audio entertainment and a narrow headrest to have a commanding view of the tracks ahead. The decorative cover is additionally fitted on the tip of the overhead luggage rack to improve appearance. A door between a vestibule and a passenger saloon is automatic, detecting by the photo sensor. A western style toilet and a fibre-reinforced plastic constructed washroom employing a hands-free faucet are located beside the doorway.

Class kuro481-2100
Background and overview
JR West fitted a saha481-118 vehicle with a panoramic end section to introduce 1st class observation vehicle to "Super Raicho" intercity services in 1988 and classified them kuro481-2100.

Car body
The driver's cab is not raised, and windscreen features the large curved windowpane with a receding angle at 50 degrees. Rectangle shaped headlights employing sealed beam light bulbs and rectangle shaped LED taillights are fitted below the windscreen. Additional rectangle shaped headlights are also fitted behind the upper part of the windscreen. The height of side windows is made 76mm higher upward. Their side window arrangement is different from class kuro481-2000 and the length of the body is 260mm longer than class kuro481-2000. They are equipped with 5 air conditioners, AU13EN, rated at 5500 kcal/h on the roof.

Bogies
It is equipped with TR69H bogies featuring diaphragm air springs for the secondary suspension, the top of which is slanted in lateral direction, and pedestal type journal supporting system. Their secondary airbag suspension is not mounted to their body directly but mounted in the bogie unit. Their brake rigging is double disk brake.

Ancillary equipments
It is additionally equipped with a motor generator, MH129-DM88, with a power output of 210kVA.

Accommodation
Seating accommodation is 2+1 abreast reclining seating with 1160mm seating pitch located on the floor raised 150mm from the aisle. These seats are equipped with the ports for headphones for the audio entertainment and a narrow headrest to have a commanding view of the tracks ahead. The decorative cover is additionally fitted on the tip of the overhead luggage rack to improve appearance. A door between a vestibule and a passenger saloon is automatic, detecting by the photo sensor. A western style toilet and a fibre-reinforced plastic constructed washroom employing a hands-free faucet are located beside the doorway.

Saro481-2002 to -2006
JR West modified class saro481-500 into 1st class vehicles with a lounge for "Super Raicho" intercity services in 1988. Seating accommodation is 2+1 abreast reclining seating with 1160mm seating pitch. These seats are equipped with the ports for headphones for the audio entertainment. These vehicles are not equipped with doorways but a service entrance on each side. The style of the air conditioner outlet is changed into slit type. The decorative cover is additionally fitted on the tip of the overhead luggage rack to improve appearance. The refreshment counter in the lounge room is used as a store having a merchandise display rack, a drink refrigerator, and a refrigerated counter display. The lounge room is equipped with sofas, and a pay phone on the wall. They are also equipped with an air compressor, MH113B-C2000M, which is relocated from class kuro481-2000, beneath their floor.

Class kumoha485-200
Background and overview
JR West make some moha485 vehicles into the powered end vehicles over the period from 1990 until 1991 to make train sets used on "Super Raicho" intercity services into the dividing train for the start of electrified Nanao line in 1991. They are classified into class kumoha485-200.

Car body
An additional gangwayed cab section is fitted where the section of a toilet and a washroom located toward the front of class moha485 is cut off. An additional doorway is located behind the cab. The front of the cab section is flat to use them as an intermediate vehicle. The driver's cab having wide windscreens employing flat windowpane is located at the low position to have a commanding view of the tracks ahead. A built-in classification headboard is fitted below the windscreen of the gangway door. Two rectangle shaped headlights applying the sealed beam light bulb and rectangle shaped taillights applying LED are horizontally fitted each side of the gangway door. Additional rectangle shaped headlights are also fitted above the gangway. They are equipped with 5 air conditioners, AU13EN, rated at 5500 kcal/h on the roof.

Bogies
They are equipped with a DT32W bogie employing the mechanical hand brake and a DT32E bogie for the rear featuring diaphragm air springs for the secondary suspension, the top of which is slanted in lateral direction, and pedestal type journal supporting system. Their secondary airbag suspension is not mounted to their body directly but mounted in the bogie unit. The parallel cardan drive with hollow shaft is applied for the power transmission device. The gear ratio is 3.50. Their brake rigging is a single tread brake.

Traction unit and ancillary equipments
Eight series-wound brushed DC traction motors, MT54D, with a power output of 120kW are controlled by armature-resistance traction control system, CS15F, fitted to powered intermediate vehicles, class moha485 intermediate powered vehicles. CS15F features holding breaking and free selectable speed control. While the divided working, because the train set having only one motor generator which class kuha481 is equipped with has low level redundancy, they are equipped a backup auxiliary power supply, SC16. They adopt electromagnetic straight air brake with the rheostatic brake with pressure intensifying braking over 110km/h to shorten braking distance.

Accommodation
Seating accommodation is 2+2 abreast reclining seating, R55C, with 1010mm seating pitch located on the floor raised 70mm from the aisle. These seats are equipped with the ports for headphones for the audio entertainment and a narrow headrest to have a commanding view of the tracks ahead. The decorative cover is additionally fitted on the tip of the overhead luggage rack to improve appearance. A door between a vestibule and a passenger saloon is automatic, detecting by the photo sensor. A western style toilet and a fibre-reinforced plastic constructed washroom employing a hands-free faucet are located beside the doorway.

Class kuro481-2350
Train sets used on "Super Raicho" intercity services were diverted to "Shirasagi" services caused by the replacement "Super Raicho" services with "Thunderbird" services operated by 683 series EMU. JR West replaced the seating of a standard class trailer end vehicle, kuha481-301, with 2+1 abreast reclining seating with 1180 mm seating pitch to compensate the lack of 1st class panoramic end vehicles and classified it into class kuro481-2350 in 2001. These seats are equipped with the ports for headphones for the audio entertainment. The toilet was changed into wester style.

Class moha485-500
Train sets used on "Super Raicho" intercity services were diverted to "Shirasagi" services caused by the replacement "Super Raicho" services with "Thunderbird" services operated by 683 series EMU, and 1st class vehicles with a lounge room, class saro481-2000, which were equipped with an air compressor under the floor, were removed from the train sets. Thus, JR West relocated an air compressor, MH113B-C2000M, to under the floor of class moha485 over the period from 2000 until 2001 and classified them into class moha485-500. A pay phone carried from class saro481-2000 was additionally fitted at the rear of the vehicle.

Saha481-502 and -503
JR West modified saro481-121 and -131 1st class trailer intermediate vehicles into the standard class intermediate vehicles to obtain the end vehicle of the train set used on "Super Raicho" services in 1997 and renumbered it into saha481-502 and -503. Its accommodation is changed into 2+2 abreast R55C reclining seating with 980mm seating pitch.

Class saha481-600
Train sets used on "Super Raicho" intercity services were diverted to "Shirasagi" services caused by the replacement "Super Raicho" services with "Thunderbird" services operated by 683 series EMU, and a 1st class vehicle with a lounge, class saro481-2000 was displaced with a standard class trailer intermediate vehicle. Three of required standard tailer intermediate vehicles were converted from class saha481-500. However, the lack of required standard trailer intermediate vehicles were converted from powered intermediate vehicles, moha484-331, -332, -333, and -335, into trailer intermediate vehicles in 2001 and classified them into class saha481-600. Their bogies were displaced with trailer bogies, TR69E or TR69H.

Class saha481-700
Train sets having a panoramic 1st class vehicle used on "Shirasagi" services were displaced with 683-2000 series EMU and surplus 485 series train sets were converted to "Raicho" services to unify the location of 1st class vehicle with 681/683 series. Seven of required train sets were converted from the surplus train sets which had been used on "Shirasagi" services. However, the lack of required train sets was converted from sets used on "Kaetsu" services and surplus used on "Super Raicho". an additional trailer intermediate vehicles were converted from moha485-227, and -228 into trailer intermediate vehicles in 2003 and classified them into class saha481-700. Their bogies were displaced with TR69.

Operations
485-300 series were delivered to Mukomachi and Kanazawa depots to enter "Raicho", "Hokuetsu", "Shirasagi", "Tsubame", "Hato", and "Shioji" intercity services in 1974. They were also delivered to Aomori and Sendai depots to enter the revenue services of "Hakucho", "Inaho", "Yamabiko", and "Hibari" in 1975. "Tsubame" and "Hato" services were discontinued at the opening of the Sanyo Shinkansen extension to Hakata in 1975 and "Kaetsu" services started.
In addition, some 485-200 series vehicles were reallocated to Hineno depot to provide additional capacity for "Kuroshio" intercity services on the Kisei line in 1980. Moreover, JNR reallocated surplus 485-300 series vehicles caused by the displacement from "Hibari" and "Yamabiko" intercity services to Mukomachi and Minami-Fukuoka depots with the opening of the Tohoku/Joetsu Shinkansen. "Hatsukari" services were shortened between Morioka and Aomori, and "Inaho" between Niigata and Aomori. At the same time, "Tazawa" intercity services between Morioka and Akita, and "Choukai" services linking Ueno and Aomori newly commenced revenue services. However, surplus 485-300 series vehicles used on "Kuroshio" intercity services caused by the displacement from with 381 series were reallocated to Fukuchiyama depot and entered "Kita-Kinki" intercity services.
At the splitting of the former Japanese National Railways into the new privatized JR companies in April 1987, JR East and JR West received most of 485-300 series, and JR Kyushu a few.
Vehicles owned by JR East had been used on "Tazawa", "Tsubasa", "Hitachi", "Hokuetsu", and "Raicho" intercity services. Among these, "Tsubasa" intercity services were displaced with "Tsubasa" super express on the Yamagata Shinkansen in 1992, and new intercity services, "Komakusa", linking Yamagata and Akita started. Furthermore, "Tazawa" intercity services were displaced with "Komachi" super express on the Akita Shinkansen, and "Komakusa" services were discontinued.
On the other hand, JR East delivered 651 series EMU to be used on "Super Hitachi" intercity services, and the following year, 1990, 485 series train sets used on "Hitachi" services were changed into 7-car sets consisting of only standard class vehicles. 485-300 series vehicles used on "Hitachi" services began to be displaced with E653 series in 1997, and 485-300 series had been completely withdrawn from "Hitachi" services in 1998. After JR East's 485-300 series used on "Raicho" were withdrawn in 2001 due to the section of "Raicho" services was shorten, 485-300 series were subsequently withdrawn from "Hokuetsu" services at the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension to Kanazawa in 2014.
Vehicles owned by JR West had been used on "Raicho", "Shirasagi", "Kaetsu", and "Kita-Kinki" intercity services. In addition, 485-300 series entered "Kagayaki" intercity services linking Kanazawa and Nagaoka, and "Kirameki" linking Maibara and Kanazawa in 1988. Furthermore, they also entered "Super Raicho" services having limited stops in 1989. "Kagayaki" services were displaced with "Hakutaka" services linking Echigo-Yuzawa and Kanazawa via Hokuhoku line operated by Hokuetsu Express at the opening of Hokuhoku line in 1997. On the other hand, "Kirameki" services were incorporated into "Kaetsu" services. 485-300 series used on "Super Raicho" services were gradually displaced with 681 series and 683-0 series and completely withdrawn in 2001. 485-300 series used on "Shirasagi" services were gradually displaced with 683-2000 series, and completely withdrawn in 2003. At the same time, "Kaetsu" services were incorporated into "Shirasagi". 485-300 series used on "Hakutaka" were displaced with 681 series. 485-300 series used on "Kita-Kinki" were converted to 183-800 series. Remaining 485-300 series had been used on "Raicho" services. However, they were replaced with 683-4000 series and completely scrapped in 2011.
Technical Data
Items Data
Supply Voltage 1500VDC, 20000VAC, 50/60Hz
Service speed, etc. Service speed: 120km/h
Length 20500mm
Width 2946mm
Height 3745mm
Bogie DT32E (motored) TR69E, TR69H (trailer)
Collector PS16H
Traction motor MT54D (120kW)
Gear ratio 3.50
Transformer TM14, TM20
Rectifier RS22A, RS45
Traction system Armature-resistance control: CS15F
Air conditioner AU13E, AU71A
Designed by Japanese National Railways