#4578

205 series

🇯🇵 Japan ·built by Hitachi· from 1985· electric multiple unit train type operated in Japan and Indonesia

7 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences

1. JR205-yokohama-line: こうのいち at Japanese Wikipedia· CC BY-SA 3.0
2. Series205-0-Hanwa-Line: MaedaAkihiko· CC BY-SA 4.0
3. 205-series set 148, (ex Musashino Line set M64), Pasar Senen, Oct 2019: AdityaPrasetyo· CC BY-SA 4.0
4. Fairy-tale face 205 series BUD148 set: Muhammad Pascal Fajrin· CC BY-SA 4.0
5. Fairy-tale face 205 series DP145 set: Muhammad Pascal Fajrin· CC BY-SA 4.0
6. Trial run former JR East 205 series Musashino line number 205-44F: Pilar Gusmao· CC BY-SA 4.0
7. Yamanote Line 205 series set 30 Tabata Station 20030202: DAJF· CC BY-SA 4.0

what is it?

The 205 series (205系, 205-kei) is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) commuter train type introduced in 1985 by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and inherited by JR East and JR West after JNR was privatised two years later. It is currently operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), West Japan Railway Company (JR West), Fuji Kyuko (Fujikyu) in Japan and KAI Commuter in Indonesia. Some of them were re-designated as Fujikyuko Series 6000.

who runs it

Japanese National Railways East Japan Railway Company West Japan Railway Company Fuji Kyuko KAI Commuter

base stats

speed 110 km/htop speed
built 1,461made in total

Bars compare against all trains: 600 km/h (maglev), 1,700 seats; power, weight and number built on a log scale up to 20 MW, 1,000 t and 20,000 built.

fun facts

First built 41 years ago, in 1985.
20 m long: about 4 cars parked nose to tail.
Served for 17 years (1985–2002).

multiple unit: A self-propelled train: motors are spread under the passenger cars, so no separate locomotive.

spec sheet

built: 1985
in service from: 1985
retired: 2002
status: retired
number built: 1,461
kind: multiple unit
traction: electric
origin: 🇯🇵 Japan
builders: Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo, Japan Transport Engineering Company
operators: Japanese National Railways, East Japan Railway Company, West Japan Railway Company, Fuji Kyuko, KAI Commuter
top speed: 110 km/h
power: —
gauge: 1,067 mm Cape gauge
electric system: overhead lines
formation: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, or 11 cars per trainset (Japan) , 4, 6 (sometimes) 8, 10, or 12 cars per trainset (KAIC)
length: 20 m

From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.

Sources: Wikidata Q846625, Wikipedia: 205 series (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.