#2488
52 series
🇯🇵 Japan ·built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries· from 1936· Japanese electric multiple unit train type
what is it?
The 52 series (52系) EMUs were manufactured in 1936-1937 in 3 batches and operated by Japanese Government Railways (JGR, later JNR) for use on the Hanwa Line, and later used on the San'yō Main Line, JR Kobe Line, JR Kyoto Line in the Kansai region and the Iida Line in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The trains were developed from the 42 series EMUs. The 52 series EMUs were retired between 1976 and 1983.
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 90 years ago, in 1936.
- Served for 47 years (1936–1983).
multiple unit: A self-propelled train: motors are spread under the passenger cars, so no separate locomotive.
spec sheet
- built
- 1936
- in service from
- 1936
- retired
- 1983
- status
- retired
- number built
- 20
- kind
- multiple unit
- traction
- electric
- origin
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- builders
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Nippon Sharyo
- operators
- Ministry of Railways, Japanese National Railways
- top speed
- —
- power
- —
From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.
Sources: Wikidata Q4640230, Wikipedia: 52 series (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.