485 series

what is it?

The 485 series (485系, 485-kei) (and the earlier 481 and 483 series variants) was a Japanese limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) type introduced in 1964 by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and later operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), West Japan Railway Company (JR-West), and Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu). Approximately 1,500 vehicles were built, although by April 2016, JR East was the only operator still using this type. The last 485 series train was pulled from service on December 11, 2022, when the Resort Yamadori Joyful Train set was retired.

who runs it

Japanese National RailwaysEast Japan Railway CompanyWest Japan Railway CompanyKyushu Railway Company

base stats

• speed 140 km/htop speed
• built 1,453made 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 62 years ago, in 1964.
• 🏎️Top speed is 1.1× a car on the Dutch motorway (130 km/h).
• 📏20 m long: about 4 cars parked nose to tail.
• ⌛Served for 21 years (1964–1985).

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

spec sheet

built

1964

in service from

1964

retired

1985

status

retired

number built

1,453

kind

multiple unit

traction

electric

origin

🇯🇵 Japan

builders

Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing, Nippon Sharyo, Japan Transport Engineering Company

operators

Japanese National Railways, East Japan Railway Company, West Japan Railway Company, Kyushu Railway Company

top speed

140 km/h

power

—

gauge

1,067 mm Cape gauge

electric system

1,500 V DC / 20 kV AC (60 Hz) (481 series), 1,500 V DC / 20 kV AC (50 Hz) (483 series), 1,500 V DC / 20 kV AC (50/60 Hz) (485 series)

length

20 m

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