{{short description|Japanese train type}} {{redirect|Boso View Express|the train simulator|BVE Trainsim}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Infobox train | name = 255 series<br/>''Bōsō View Express'' | image = Series255 Shiosai-10.jpg | imagealt = | imagesize = 300px | caption = A 255 series EMU on a ''Shiosai'' service in June 2021 | stocktype = | service = 2 July 1993 – 2024 (regular service) | manufacturer = [[Kinki Sharyo]], [[Tokyu Car]] | factory = | family = Bōsō View Express | replaced = [[183 series]] | yearconstruction = 1993–1994 | yearservice = 2 July 1993 | refurbishment = | yearscrapped = | numberconstruction = | numberbuilt = 45 vehicles (5 sets) | numberservice = 9 vehicles (1 sets) | numberretired = 36 vehicles (4 sets) | numberpreserved = | numberscrapped = | successor = [[E259 series]] (Shiosai) | formation = 9 cars per trainset | fleetnumbers = Be01 – Be05 | capacity = | operator = [[JR East]] | depots = Makuhari | lines = {{plainlist| * [[Keiyo Line]] * [[Sōbu Main Line]] * [[Sotobō Line]] * [[Uchibō Line]] * [[Yokosuka Line]] }} | carbody = Steel | trainlength = | carlength = {{Convert|21000|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} (end cars)<br>{{Convert|20500|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} (intermediate cars) | width = {{Convert|2946|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = {{Convert|3785|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} | floorheight = | doors = 1 sliding door per side | maxspeed = {{Convert|130|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} | weight = | axleload = | traction = [[Variable frequency drive|Variable frequency]] ([[Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor|IGBT]]) | poweroutput = 95 kW x 16 = 1,520 kW | acceleration = | deceleration = | aux = | powersupply = | hvac = | electricsystem = 1,500 V DC overhead | collectionmethod = | bogies = DT56E (motored), TR241E (trailer) | brakes = | safety = [[Automatic Train Stop|ATS]]-P, ATS-SN | coupling = | multipleworking = | gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}} | notes = }}
The {{Nihongo|'''255 series'''|255系|lead=yes}}, branded {{Nihongo|'''Bōsō View Express'''|房総ビューエクスプレス}}, is a [[Direct current|DC]] [[electric multiple unit]] (EMU) train type operated by [[East Japan Railway Company]] (JR East) in Japan. It was introduced into commercial service on 2 July 1993,<ref name="jrr2012">{{cite book |script-title=ja: JR電車編成表 2012冬 |trans-title=JR EMU Formations – Winter 2012| publisher = JRR | date = October 2011 | location = Japan | page = 50| isbn = 978-4-330-25611-5}}</ref> and was specifically designed to be used on [[limited express]] services from Tokyo to the [[Bōsō Peninsula]].
==Design== The trains were built jointly by [[Kinki Sharyo]] and [[Tokyu Car]],<ref name="dj359">{{cite journal| last = Saka| first = Masahiro| script-title=ja: JR第1世代の車両・現況と概要|trans-title= JR 1st-generation rolling stock: Current situation and overview| journal = Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine | volume = 43| issue = 359|page=22|language= Japanese| date = March 2014}}</ref> with a steel body design based directly on the earlier [[253 series]] EMUs built for ''[[Narita Express]]'' services, although the window height was increased by 100 mm.<ref name="journal321">{{cite journal| last = Nomoto| first = Hiroshi| script-title=ja: 255系特急形直流電車|trans-title= 255 series DC limited express EMU| journal = Railway Journal | issue = 321|pages=82–89| date = July 1993}}</ref> It is the first JR East limited express rolling stock to feature [[VVVF]] [[Gate turn-off thyristor]] traction control systems, based on the results of trials with the prototype [[209 series]] commuter EMUs.<ref name="journal321"/>
DT56E [[bogie]]s are used on motored cars, and TR241E bogies are used on trailer cars.<ref name="journal321"/>
==Operations==
===Sōbu Main Line=== * ''[[Shiosai]]'': Tokyo – {{STN|Chōshi|x}} (since 10 December 2005)<ref name="jrr2009"/>
===Sotobō Line=== * ''[[Wakashio]]'': {{STN|Awa-Kamogawa|x}} – Tokyo * ''Shinjuku Wakashio'': Shinjuku – {{STN|Awa-Kamogawa|x}}
==Formations== The five 9-car sets, numbered Be01 to Be05, are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end. Trains consist of four motored "MoHa" and five "KuHa", "SaHa", and "SaRo" trailer cars.<ref name="jrr2012"/><ref name="journal321"/>
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Car No. !! 1 !! 2 !! 3 !! style="background: #E6FFE6"| 4 !! 5 !! 6 !! 7 !! 8 !! 9 |- ! Designation | Tc' || M2 || M1 || style="background: #F5FFF5"| Ts || T2 || T1 || M2 || M1 || Tc |- ! Numbering | KuHa 254 || MoHa 254 || MoHa 255 || style="background: #F5FFF5"| SaRo 255 || SaHa 254 || SaHa 255 || MoHa 254 || MoHa 255 || KuHa 255 |- ! Weight (t) | 31.1 || 35.7 || 33.6 || style="background: #F5FFF5"| 29.2 || 28.1 || 27.3 || 35.7 || 33.6 || 31.7 |- ! Seating capacity | 64 || 64 || 68 || style="background: #F5FFF5"| 42 || 58 || 64 || 64 || 68 || 52 |}
Cars 2 and 8 are each equipped with one PS26A scissors-type pantograph.<ref name="jrr2012"/>
===Passenger facilities=== * Green (first class) car: Car 4 * Toilets: Cars 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 * Wheelchair space: Car 5 * Telephone: Car 4
==Interior== Seating is arranged 2+2 abreast in both standard class and Green class, with a seat pitch of {{Convert|970|mm|in|abbr=on}} in standard class, and a seat pitch of {{Convert|1160|mm|in|abbr=on}} in Green class.<ref name="journal321"/>
<gallery> File:JRE series255 saro255-1 inside.jpg|Green car (SaRo 255-1) interior view File:JRE series255 saro255-1 seat.jpg|Green class seating File:JRE series255 moha254-2 inside.jpg|Standard class car (MoHa 254-2) interior view File:JRE series255 moha254-2 seat.jpg|Standard class seating </gallery>
==History== [[File:JR East 255 Limited Express Sazanami.jpg|thumb|A 255 series set on a ''Sazanami'' service in March 2008, with original front-end skirt design]] The first two sets, Be01 and Be02, were delivered in March and April 1993, entering revenue service from 2 July 1993 on ''View Wakashio'' and ''[[View Sazanami]]'' limited express services.<ref name="jrr2009">{{cite book |script-title=ja: JR電車編成表 2009夏 |trans-title=JR EMU Formations – Summer 2009 | publisher = JRR | date = June 2009 | location = Japan | page = 48| isbn = 978-4-330-06909-8}}</ref> Three more sets, Be03 to Be05, were delivered in October and November 1994.<ref name="jrr2009"/>
From the start of the revised timetable on 12 December 2000, the Green car (car 4) was made entirely no smoking.<ref name="jrr2009"/>
The destination indicators on the sides of cars were changed from the original [[roller blind]] type to LED indicators between October and November 2005.<ref name="jrr2009"/>
From the start of the revised timetable on 10 December 2005, ''View Wakashio'' and ''View Sazanami'' services were renamed simply ''Wakashio'' and ''Sazanami'', and 255 series sets were also introduced on ''Shiosai'' services.<ref name="jrr2009"/> All cars were made no-smoking from this date.<ref name="jrr2009"/>
The front-end skirt design was modified during 2010.<ref name="jrr2012"/>
From 2014, the 255 series sets were retrofitted with [[IGBT]]-based traction control systems.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-11 |title= |script-title=ja:「E」のつかない特急型は2系式に JR東日本初期に登場した車両の現在と今後は？ |trans-title=Only two limited express types without "E" exist. What is the current status and future of the vehicles that appeared during the early days of JR East? |url=https://rail.hobidas.com/feature/455908/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=RM News |publisher=Neko Publishing |publication-place=Japan}}</ref>
===Withdrawal=== Initially, the 255 series sets were slated to be withdrawn from ''Wakashio'', ''Sazanami'', and ''Shiosai'' services before the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2024,<ref name="2024BosoExp">{{cite web |date=15 December 2023 |title=2023【ダイヤ改正日】 2024年3月16日（土） - JR東日本 |trans-title=2023[Timetable revision date] Saturday, March 16, 2024 - JR East |url=https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2023/chiba/20231215_c01.pdf |access-date=22 December 2023 |publisher=JR East |language=Japanese}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-06-12 |title= |script-title=ja:JR東日本255系、特急「ビューさざなみ」「ビューわかしお」9月運転 |trans-title=JR East to operate 255 series EMUs on limited express "View Sazanami" and "View Wakashio" services from September |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20240612-2964462/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Mynavi News |language=ja}}</ref> however, their withdrawal from regular service was deferred until June 2024 with the last regularly scheduled ''Sazanami'' and ''Wakashio'' services using this series taking place on 28 and 29 June respectively.<ref name="Endrs">{{Cite web |date=1 July 2024 |title=【詳報】2024年3月ダイヤ改正からの延長運用～特急「わかしお」「さざなみ」の255系定期運用終了 |trans-title=[Details] Extended operation from March 2024 timetable revision - End of regular operation of 255 series limited express trains “Wakashio” and “Sazanami” |url=https://rail.hobidas.com/rmnews/501237/ |access-date=2 July 2024 |website=RM News |publisher=Neko Publishing |language=Japanese}}</ref> They have since remained in limited operation for special services.<ref name=":0" /> Set Be05 was withdrawn from service in June 2024,<ref name="Endrs"/> followed by set Be01 in July 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2024 |title=255系Be-01編成が郡山へ |trans-title=255 series set Be-01 to Koriyama |url=https://railf.jp/news/2024/07/18/082000.html |access-date=18 July 2024 |website=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |publisher=Koyusha Co., Ltd. |language=Japanese |publication-place=Japan}}</ref>
==See also== * [[E257 series]], also used on Bōsō limited express services
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080923235945/http://www.jreast.co.jp/train/express/255.html 255 series ''Shiosai''/''Wakashio''/''Sazanami''] {{in lang|ja}}
{{JR East EMU}}
[[Category:Electric multiple units of Japan]] [[Category:East Japan Railway Company]] [[Category:Train-related introductions in 1993]] [[Category:Kinki Sharyo multiple units]] [[Category:Tokyu Car multiple units]] [[Category:1500 V DC multiple units of Japan]]