JNR Rolling stock still in service
Although the Japan National Railways (JNR) was divided into seven JR companies in 1987, more than 32 years later some JNR multiple units are still in service. Issue 102 (Autumn 2019) of our magazine ‘Bullet-In’ gives an overview of ex-JNR multiple units that are still in service today, and this month we will show three of these types.
KiHa 47 on JR West’s Kibi Line (Momotarō Line), on a local service from Okayama to Sōja, near Bitchū-Takamatsu station, on 9th August 2017. Photo: Oliver Mayer.
A KiHa 185 (JR Kyushu) on a “Yufu” Limited Express service approaching Yufuin Station on 28th March 2018. Photo: Oliver Mayer
JR East has been replacing its aging 115 series EMUs with only hte Niigata Branch now operating them. The branch has repainted some of its remaining units into the various colours the stock has used throughout their lives, such as this unit at Kashiwazaki on 19th May 2018, wearing the original Niigata area scheme once used on earlier 70 series EMU’s. Photo: Anthony Leith