255 series

The trains were built jointly by Kinki Sharyo and Tokyu Car,{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.

DT56E bogies are used on motored cars, and TR241E bogies are used on trailer cars.

• Shiosai: Tokyo – {{STN|Chōshi|x}} (since 10 December 2005)

• Wakashio: {{STN|Awa-Kamogawa|x}} – Tokyo
• Shinjuku Wakashio: Shinjuku – {{STN|Awa-Kamogawa|x}}

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.

Cars 2 and 8 are each equipped with one PS26A scissors-type pantograph.

• Green (first class) car: Car 4
• Toilets: Cars 2, 4, 5, 7, 9
• Wheelchair space: Car 5
• Telephone: Car 4

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.

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

File:JR East 255 Limited Express Sazanami.jpg

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.{{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}} Three more sets, Be03 to Be05, were delivered in October and November 1994.

From the start of the revised timetable on 12 December 2000, the Green car (car 4) was made entirely no smoking.

The destination indicators on the sides of cars were changed from the original roller blind type to LED indicators between October and November 2005.

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. All cars were made no-smoking from this date.

The front-end skirt design was modified during 2010.

From 2014, the 255 series sets were retrofitted with IGBT-based traction control systems.{{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}}

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,{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}} They have since remained in limited operation for special services. Set Be05 was withdrawn from service in June 2024, followed by set Be01 in July 2024.{{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}}

• E257 series, also used on Bōsō limited express services

{{reflist}}

{{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