72 series

The 72 series (72系) trains were DC electric commuter trains operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and served as the basis for the 101 series. The 72 series included the main production batch of 490 vehicles as well as 667 former 63 series cars converted into 72 series between 1953 and 1955. The last remaining trains were withdrawn in 1985, although some cars which were converted into mail coaches and experimental vehicles continued to remain in service until 1996. Most 72 series trains were converted to four-car 72-970 series trains, with the body based on the 103 series with the raised cab. The 72-970 series remained in service until 1985 when they were converted to 103-3000 series for the Kawagoe Line.

72 series
A JNR 72 series train on the Kabe Line at Yokogawa Station in July 1984
In service	1954–1985
Manufacturer	JNR Niitsu Works, Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Kisha Seizō, Nippon Sharyo, Teikoku Sharyo, Tokyu Car
Replaced	63 series
Constructed	1952–1958
Entered service	1954 1972 (72-970 series)
Number built	c. 1,450 vehicles[1]
Successor	101 series
Operator(s)	JNR (1954–1985)
Line(s) served	Various
Specifications
Car length	20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Doors	4 per side
Maximum speed	95 km/h (60 mph) (100 km/h (60 mph) for mail coach conversions)
Traction system	Resistor control MT40
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead catenary
Current collection method	Pantograph
Safety system(s)	Originally not fitted, later ATS-B and ATS-S
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Variants

• 72 series - introduced in 1954, produced from 1952 to 1958
• 72-970 series - later converted to 103-3000 series[2]
• Kumoha 73 - cab car (about 330 vehicles built)[1]

• 
  Interior view of Kuha 79446
• 
  Kawagoe Line 103-3000 series set 52 stabled at Haijima Station
• 
  Kumoha 73061

Operations

72 series trains were in service on the Ome Line from 1961 until 1978,[3] and on the Kabe Line from 1976 until 1984.[4] Type 73 (73形) trains were in service on the Ome Line, Nambu Line, Yokohama Line, and Tsurumi Line.[5]

Preserved examples

• KuMoHa 73383: Privately preserved in Saeki, Hiroshima. Restored in October 2013, awaiting move to Yanahara Fureai Mine Park.
• KuMoYa 90005: Stored at JR Central Hamamatsu Depot.
• KuMoYa 90801 (partial): Preserved at the JR East Railway Museum in Saitama.
• KuMoNi 83006: Used at the Toshiba factory in Fuchu, Tokyo.

• 
  KuMoHa 73383 in Saeki, Hiroshima, June 2004
• 
  KuMoNi 83006 at the RTRI facility in Kokubunji, Tokyo, October 2001
• 
  KuMoYa 90005 at JR Central Hamamatsu Works, August 2001

References

1. "「クモハ73」近代化改造車の前面"魔改造"バラエティー" ["Kumoha 73" modernization remodeling car front]. news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. March 3, 2013. Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
2. "国鉄103系3000番代" [JNR 103-3000 series]. rail.hobidas.com. Neko Publishing. March 19, 2007. Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
3. "国鉄青梅線72系、トンネルに響く吊掛けサウンド" [JNR Ome Line 72 series, hanging sound reverberating in the tunnel]. news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. September 2, 2013. Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
4. "廃線復活で話題の可部線、32年前の72系電車とディーゼルカー" [Kabe Line is a hot topic in the reviving abandoned line, 72 series train and diesel car 32 years ago]. news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. February 17, 2013. Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
5. "南武線・鶴見線ほか首都圏の旧型国電73形ラストラン!" [The former national railway type 73 last run on the Nambu Line, Tsurumi Line and other metropolitan areas!]. news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). Mynavi Corporation. December 8, 2013. Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.