2 photos from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences
- 1. 583系電車N1N2編成: MaedaAkihiko· CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2. JNR 583 series on Kitaguni service: Mkb at Japanese Wikipedia· CC BY 3.0
what is it?
The 581/583 series (581/583系) are a class of limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) introduced in 1967 by Japanese National Railways and later operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West) on the through services express Kitaguni and other special trains until 2017. The seats of the 581 and 583 series trains could be transformed into three-berth beds, enabling the trains to be used on both daytime and night train services. As of 1 October 2016, just six cars remained in service, operated by JR East and based at Akita Depot for use on additional and charter services.
who runs it
base stats
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 59 years ago, in 1967.
- Served for 50 years (1967–2017).
multiple unit: A self-propelled train: motors are spread under the passenger cars, so no separate locomotive.
spec sheet
- built
- 1967
- in service from
- 1967
- retired
- 2017
- status
- retired
- number built
- 434
- 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
- top speed
- 120 km/h
- power
- —
- gauge
- 1,067 mm Cape gauge
- electric system
- 1,500 V DC, 20 kV AC 50 Hz (583 series), 60 Hz (581, 583 series)
- formation
- 6, 10, 12, 13 cars per set
From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.
Sources: Wikidata Q4640868, Wikipedia: 583 series (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.