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885 series

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In service
  
March 2000–Present

Family name
  
Hitachi A-train

Number built
  
69 vehicles

Manufacturer
  
Hitachi

Constructed
  
2000–2001

885 series

Number in service
  
66 vehicles (11 trainsets)

The 885 series (885系) is an AC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated on limited express services by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) in Japan. The type is part of Hitachi's A-train family of multiple units.

Contents

Operations

The 885 series is operated on two of JR Kyushu's named trains:

  • Kamome between Hakata and Nagasaki on the Kagoshima and Nagasaki lines. The Shiroi Kamome fleet entered service on 11 March 2000.
  • Sonic between Hakata and Ōita using the Kagoshima and Nippō lines. The Sonic fleet entered service on 3 March 2001.
  • The fleet was originally divided into seven Shiroi Kamome (White Seagull) fleet sets, SM1 to SM7, with yellow lining, and four Shiroi Sonic (White Sonic) sets, SM8 to Sm11, with blue lining, but the entire fleet was later made interchangeable, with all sets repainted with blue lining by June 2012.

    Formations

    The Shiroi Kamome fleet was built and entered service as six-car units. The Sonic fleet entered service as five-car units, but were extended to six cars in 2003 to allow interchangeability between the two fleets.

    Sets SM1–7

    These sets are formed as follows:

  • Cars 2 and 5 are each fitted with one PS401KA single-arm pantograph.
  • Cars 4, 5, and 6 of Set SM3 are numbered in the -400 series.
  • Sets SM8–11

    These sets are formed as follows.

  • Cars 2 and 5 are each fitted with one PS401KA single-arm pantograph.
  • Interior

    Seating is covered in leather in both standard class and Green class. The interior flooring is made of wood.

    History

    All cars were made no-smoking from the start of the revised timetable on 18 March 2007.

    By June 2012, all sets were repainted into the Sonic colour scheme of white with blue lining.

    Exports

    The 885 series has also been used as the basis for six new 8-car trains for use on the route between Taipei and Hualien in Taiwan (known as Taroko Express). Deliveries of the trains began in late 2006, with the first public test of the new trains in March 2007.

    References

    885 series Wikipedia