In service 2007–Present Number built 6 vehicles Formation 5/6 cars per trainset | Constructed 2007 Number in service 6 vehicles | |
 | ||
Manufacturer Hitachi, Tokyu Car Corporation | ||
The E655 series (E655系) is an AC/DC dual-voltage electric multiple unit (EMU) train operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan. The single 5-car trainset is used as a luxury charter train called Nagomi (なごみ(和)), and also as the Imperial train by inserting a dedicated Imperial carriage.
Contents
Formation
The trainset is normally formed as a five-car set, as shown below.
- KuRo E655-101 (Tsc') (with diesel generator)
- MoRo E655-101 (M1s) (with 2 pantographs)
- MoRo E654-101 (M2s)
- MoRo E655-201 (M1s) (with 2 pantographs)
- KuMoRo E654-101 (M2sc)
The Imperial carriage, classified "TR" and numbered E655-1, is inserted between cars 3 and 4 for Imperial Train duties.
Cars 1 to 3 were built by Tokyu Car Corporation, and the other three cars were built by Hitachi Ltd.
The E655 series unit can be hauled by a diesel locomotive on non-electrified lines, in which case power for air conditioning and lighting is supplied by the diesel generator in car 1.
Interior
Seating in cars 1 to 5 is in 2+1 configuration. The nine seats in car 3 are leather-covered.
"TR" car E655-1
The special "TR" imperial train car can also operate sandwiched within other EMU trainsets, and has been test run in an E257 series set (December 2008), E653 series set (April 2009), and E657 series set (September 2011).
History
JR East announced in June 2004 its plans to build a new VIP train which would also replace the former locomotive-hauled imperial train. The E655 series trainset was delivered in July 2007, and unveiled to the media at Ueno Station in Tokyo on 24 July 2007, before undergoing test running on various lines in the Kanto Region. The first revenue-earning service operated by the train was on 23 November 2007, when it was used for a charter service for JR East's "Otona no Kyujitsu Club" between Ueno and Kōriyama. On 13 December 2007, JR East announced that the train would be called Nagomi. The first Imperial Train working was on 12 November 2008, when the train was used to convey the Japanese Imperial couple and the Spanish Royal couple between Ueno and Tsuchiura.
Imperial train workings
The E655 series set has been used on the following imperial train workings. (Incomplete list)