785 series

The 785 series (785系) is an AC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on Super Kamui and Suzuran limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, since 1990.[1]

785 series
785 series on a Super Kamui service, January 2009
In service	1990–Present
Manufacturer	Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Constructed	1990–2002
Refurbished	2005–2006
Number built	37 vehicles
Number in service	37 vehicles (8 sets)
Formation	2/5 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	NE 1–5, NE 501–502
Operator(s)	JR Hokkaido
Depot(s)	Sapporo
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	21,620 mm (70 ft 11 in) (end cars), 21,300 mm (69 ft 11 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	2,954 mm (9 ft 8.3 in)
Height	4,090 mm (13 ft 5 in)
Doors	2 per side
Maximum speed	130 km/h (80 mph)
Electric system(s)	20 kV AC (50 Hz)
Current collection method	Overhead line
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Design

The trains were built jointly by Hitachi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.[2]

Formations

Sets NE 1–5

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5
Designation	Mc	T	M	M1	Tc'
Numbering	KuMoHa 785	SaHa 784	MoHa 785	MoHa 784-500	KuHa 785
Weight (t)	40.0	37.0	37.3	43.0	34.1
Capacity	60	60	68	49	56

Cars 2 and 4 are each fitted with one N-PS785S single-arm pantograph.[3]

Sets NE 501–502

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5
Designation	Mc	TAc	Mc	M1'	TAc'
Numbering	KuMoHa 785-100	KuHa 784	KuMoHa 785-100	MoHa 785-500	KuHa 784
Weight (t)	40.0	38.5	40.0	39.3	38.5
Capacity	60	56	60	49	56

Cars 2 and 5 are each fitted with one N-PS785S single-arm pantograph.[3]

Original 2+4-car sets

2+4-car formation on a Super White Arrow service, September 1990

(1990–2002)

Car No.	6	5		4	3	2	1
Designation	Mc	TAc'		Mc	TA	M	Tc'
Numbering	KuMoHa 785-100	KuHa 784		KuMoHa 785	SaHa 784	MoHa 785	KuHa 785

Cars 3 and 5 were each fitted with one N-PS721B scissors-type pantograph.[4]

785-300 series Super Hakuchō set NE303

2-car set converted from former stored cars for use on Super Hakuchō services from December 2010[5]

Car No.	7	8
Numbering	MoHa 785-303	KuHa 784-303

• 
  KuHa 784-300, August 2011
• 
  MoHa 785-300, August 2011

Interior

The 785 series trainsets do not include Green class (first class) accommodation, but car 4 is designated as a "u-Seat" car with improved seating for reserved seat passengers. All other cars are normally designated as non-reserved seating.

• 
  Interior view, May 2008
• 
  Interior view of "u-Seat" car 4, August 2007
• 
  Interior view of Super Hakuchō KuHa 784-300, August 2011
• 
  Interior view of Super Hakuchō MoHa 785-300, August 2011

History

Former driving cars with blanked off doors, 2008

30 vehicles were delivered in 1990, formed as five 2-car (NE 101–105) and five 4-car (NE 1–5) sets. These entered service from 1 September 1990 on new Super White Arrow limited express services between Sapporo and Asahikawa.[6] Sets were also used on some Lilac services.[4]

From 18 February 2002, the original 4- and 2-car sets were reformed with the addition of newly built MoHa 784-500 and MoHa 785-500 cars to create a fleet of seven 5-car sets and one spare 2-car set, which was kept in storage.[1] The control equipment from the cabs of cars within sets was removed between 2007 and 2008.[3]

From 1 October 2007, they were reassigned to new Super Kamui limited express services between Sapporo and Asahikawa, and Airport rapid services between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport in conjunction with 789-1000 series EMUs.[6]

The spare 2-car set, NE 105, stored out of use since 2002 was modified in 2010 and repainted with green cab ends for use in conjunction with 789 series sets on Super Hakuchō services from the start of the revised timetable on 4 December 2010. This set has a maximum speed of 140 km/h.[5]

References

1. Jēāru zensharyō handobukku: Rail Magazine 2009 JR全車輌ハンドブック2009 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2009]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2009. ISBN 978-4-7770-0836-0.
2. Saka, Masahiro (March 2014). JR第1世代の車両・現況と概要 [JR 1st-generation rolling stock: Current situation and overview]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). 43 (359): 22.
3. JR電車編成表 2010夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2010]. Japan: JRR. May 2010. p. 2. ISBN 978-4-330-14310-1.
4. JR電車編成表 '98夏号 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 1998]. Japan: JRR. July 1998. p. 2. ISBN 978-4-88283-029-0.
5. JR北海道　785系300番台（特急「スーパー白鳥号」増結用） [JR Hokkaido 785-300 series ("Super Hakucho" augmentation set)]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. 40 (322): 86–87. February 2011.
6. Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Jr全車両: ビジュアル決定版 Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: JR全車輌. Japan: Sekai Bunka. ISBN 978-4-418-09905-4.

External links

• JR Hokkaido 785/789 series Super Kamui (in Japanese)
• JR Hokkaido 785/789 series Suzuran (in Japanese)
• JR Hokkaido 785-300 series (Japan Railfan Magazine) (in Japanese)