In service 1967–Present Entered service 1967-present | Constructed 1967-1972 Number built 434 vehicles | |
 | ||
Number in service 6 vehicles (as of 1 October 2016) | ||
The 581 / 583 series (581/583系) are limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) train types introduced in 1967 by Japanese National Railways and operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West) on the through services express Kitaguni and other special trains.
Contents
- Individual car types
- Formations
- JR East Sendai Depot
- JR West Kyoto Depot
- History
- Preserved examples
- References
The seats of the 581 and 583 series trains can be transformed into three-berth beds, enabling the trains to be used on both daytime and night train services.
As of 1 October 2016, just six cars remained in service, operated by JR East and based at Akita Depot for use on additional and charter services. This last trainset is scheduled to be withdrawn in April 2017.
Individual car types
Formations
(as of 1 July 2010)
JR East (Sendai Depot)
Set N1/N2:
JR West (Kyoto Depot)
Sets B04-06:
History
The 581 series was introduced in 1967 on the Midori (Shin-Ōsaka - Kumamoto daytime limited express) and Gekkō (Shin-Osaka - Hakata night limited express).
The 583 series was introduced in 1968 on the Hatsukari (Ueno - Aomori via Tōhoku Main Line daytime), Hakutsuru (Ueno - Aomori via Tōhoku Main Line night), and Yūzuru (Ueno - Aomori via Jōban Line night).
These trains were subsequently used on other limited express services.
In 1982, when the Tohoku Shinkansen opened, many cars became surplus to requirements, and some were remodeled into 419 series and 715 series EMUs.
The last remaining trainset in service, a six-car set based at JR East's Akita Depot is scheduled to make its final run on 8 April 2017, on a charter service between Akita and Hirosaki.
Preserved examples
As of April 2016, four former 581 series cars are preserved statically.
In February 2015, JR-West car KuHaNe 581 35, formerly stored at Suita Depot in Osaka, was moved to Kyoto for exhibition at the Kyoto Railway Museum opening in April 2016. It was returned from its previous Kitaguni livery to its original JNR blue and cream livery.