181 series

The 181 series (181系) (and the earlier 151 and 161 series variants) was a Japanese limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) type operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR).

For the 181 series diesel multiple unit trains, see KiHa 181 series.

181 series
A JNR 181 series train on a Toki service in 1982
In service	1958–1986
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Kisha
Constructed	1958–1978
Entered service	November 1958
Scrapped	1986
Operator(s)	JNR
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Car length	Cab cars: 21,250 mm Intermediate cars: 20,500 mm
Width	2,946 mm
Doors	1 or 2 per side
Maximum speed	110 km/h (70 mph) 163 km/h (100 mph) (Record speed for a narrow gauge train in Japan for 151 Series)
Traction system	Resistor control MT46
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Current collection method	overhead catenary
Bogies	DT23, TR58
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Variants

• 151 series
• 161 series
• 181 series

The 151 series trains were introduced in 1958 on Kodama limited services on the Tokaido Main Line.[1] 161 series trains were introduced in 1959 on Toki limited services on the Joetsu Line.[1] Some 151 and 161 series cars were subsequently modified to become 181 series alongside newly built 181 series cars.[1]

• 
  A 151 series on a Fuji limited express service
• 
  A JNR 181 series train on an Azusa service in January 1975

Preserved examples

• KuHa 181 1: Preserved outside the Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe, and restored in November 2016 to its original style and numbering as "KuHa 26001"[2]
• KuHa 181 45: Preserved at the Railway Museum in Saitama Prefecture[1]

• 
  KuHa 181 1 (formerly Kuha 151 1) preserved outside the Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe
• 
  KuHa 181 45 preserved at Niitsu in May 2007 before being moved to the Railway Museum
• 
  KuHa 181 45 preserved at the Railway Museum in Saitama in 2015

References

1. Sasada, Masahiro (25 November 2014). 国鉄&jr 保存車大全 2015-2016 国鉄&JR保存車大全2015-2016 [JNR & JR Preserved Rolling Stock Complete Guide 2015-2016] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. pp. 43, 123. ISBN 978-4863209282.
2. クハ181−1の外観が補修され「クハ26001」に復元される [KuHa 181-1 externally restored for KuHa 26001]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.

Further reading

• Sato, Hiroshi (September 2005). 151系（モハ20系）電車　車両のあゆみ [History of the 151 series (MoHa 20 series) EMU trains]. The Railway Pictorial (in Japanese). Vol. 55 no. 765. Japan: Denkisha Kenkyukai. pp. 10–32.
• Sato, Hiroshi (October 2005). 161系・181系電車　車両のあゆみ [History of the 161 and 181 series EMU trains]. The Railway Pictorial (in Japanese). Vol. 55 no. 766. Japan: Denkisha Kenkyukai. pp. 10–32.