#4879
255 series
🇯🇵 Japan ·built by Kinki Sharyo· from 1993· Japanese electric multiple unit train type
1 photo from Wikimedia Commons · credits & licences
- 1. Series255 Shiosai-10: MaedaAkihiko· CC BY-SA 4.0
what is it?
The 255 series (Japanese: 255系), branded Bōsō View Express (房総ビューエクスプレス), is a DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan. It was introduced into commercial service on 2 July 1993, and was specifically designed to be used on limited express services from Tokyo to the Bōsō Peninsula. After being withdrawn from regular service in June 2024, the type has only been used on special services.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 33 years ago, in 1993.
- 1.5 MW is about 18 family cars (~85 kW each) flat out.
- 21 m long: about 5 cars parked nose to tail.
- Served for 31 years (1993–2024).
multiple unit: A self-propelled train: motors are spread under the passenger cars, so no separate locomotive.
spec sheet
- built
- 1993
- in service from
- 1993
- retired
- 2024
- status
- retired
- number built
- 45
- kind
- multiple unit
- traction
- electric
- origin
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- builders
- Kinki Sharyo, Japan Transport Engineering Company
- operators
- East Japan Railway Company
- top speed
- 130 km/h
- power
- 1.5 MW
- gauge
- 1,067 mm Cape gauge
- electric system
- 1,500 V DC overhead
- formation
- 9 cars per trainset
- length
- 21 m
From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.
Sources: Wikidata Q4632109, Wikipedia: 255 series (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.