#3585
159 series
🇯🇵 Japan ·built by Nippon Sharyo· from 1961· Japanese electric multiple unit train type
what is it?
The 159 series (159系) was an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) from 1961 until 1980. They were originally designed for and used on school excursion trains running between Tokyo and the Nagoya area via the Tokaido Main Line.
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 65 years ago, in 1961.
- Served for 19 years (1961–1980).
multiple unit: A self-propelled train: motors are spread under the passenger cars, so no separate locomotive.
spec sheet
- built
- 1961
- in service from
- 1961
- retired
- 1980
- status
- retired
- number built
- 16
- kind
- multiple unit
- traction
- electric
- origin
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- builders
- Nippon Sharyo
- operators
- Japanese National Railways
- top speed
- —
- power
- —
- gauge
- 1,067 mm Cape gauge
- electric system
- 1,500 V DC
- formation
- 4/8 cars per set
From the Wikipedia infobox and Wikidata. Blank means the sources don't say.
Sources: Wikidata Q16934354, Wikipedia: 159 series (CC BY-SA 4.0).Updated 2026-10-25.