157 series


The 157 series was a Japanese DC electric multiple unit train type operated on limited express services by Japanese National Railways from 1959 until 1980.

Operations

The 157 series EMUs were first introduced by JNR on Nikkō semi express services between and on 22 September 1959 to counter competition from the private company Tobu Railway, which also operated trains to Nikkō. They were also used on Chusenji services between and Nikkō, and Nasuno services between and.
157 series EMUs were also introduced on seasonal Hibiki services on the Tokaido Main Line from 21 November 1959, and were later used on Amagi and Soyokaze services.

Fleet details

Initially painted in the JNR livery of beige and crimson, the red colour was later changed to a slightly darker shade when the sets were modified with the addition of air-conditioning.

KuRo 157-1 imperial train car

The 157 series fleet included a dedicated imperial train car, built by Kawasaki Sharyo and delivered in June 1960. Numbered KuRo 157-1, the car could be inserted into 157 series formations for use on imperial train workings. One end had a gangwayed driving cab based on the 153 series EMU design, although the car was normally sandwiched in the middle of a 157 series formation, and was only very rarely used with the driving cab leading. In 1979, the car was modified for use in conjunction with 183 series EMUs, with the first official working on 2 July 1980. From March 1985, it was repainted in cream with a green stripe for use in conjunction with 185 series EMUs.
The last official operation of the car was on 8 September 1993.
Following retirement, the KuRo 157-1 car remained in storage at Tamachi Depot for many years, but was moved to Tokyo General Rolling Stock Centre in the early hours of 2 December 2012.

History

The first 157 series set was delivered in August 1959, and entered service on Nikkō semi express services between Tokyo and Nikkō from 22 September 1959. Air-conditioning was added to the trains from 1962.
With the exception of the special imperial train car KuRo 157-1, the entire fleet of 157 series trains was withdrawn by 1980.

Fleet details

The individual car histories are as follows.
Car No.ManufacturerDelivery dateWithdrawal date
KuMoHa 157KuMoHa 157KuMoHa 157KuMoHa 157
KuMoHa 157-1Kisha26 August 195928 November 1980
KuMoHa 157-2Kisha26 August 195928 November 1980
KuMoHa 157-3Kisha26 August 195915 October 1976
KuMoHa 157-4Nippon Sharyo15 August 195928 June 1976
KuMoHa 157-5Nippon Sharyo15 August 195915 October 1976
KuMoHa 157-6Nippon Sharyo12 December 195920 July 1976
KuMoHa 157-7Nippon Sharyo15 December 196020 July 1976
KuMoHa 157-8Nippon Sharyo15 December 196028 June 1976
KuMoHa 157-9Kawasaki Sharyo12 December 196028 June 1976
KuMoHa 157-10Kawasaki Sharyo12 December 196015 October 1976
MoHa 156MoHa 156MoHa 156MoHa 156
MoHa 156-1Kisha26 August 195928 November 1980
MoHa 156-2Kisha26 August 195928 November 1980
MoHa 156-3Kisha26 August 195915 October 1976
MoHa 156-4Nippon Sharyo15 August 195928 June 1976
MoHa 156-5Nippon Sharyo15 August 195915 October 1976
MoHa 156-6Nippon Sharyo12 December 195920 July 1976
MoHa 156-7Nippon Sharyo15 December 196020 July 1976
MoHa 156-8Nippon Sharyo15 December 196028 June 1976
MoHa 156-9Kawasaki Sharyo12 December 196028 June 1976
MoHa 156-10Kawasaki Sharyo12 December 196015 October 1976
SaHa 157SaHa 157SaHa 157SaHa 157
SaHa 157-1Kisha26 August 195920 July 1976
SaHa 157-2Nippon Sharyo15 August 195915 October 1976
SaHa 157-3Nippon Sharyo15 December 195920 July 1976
SaHa 157-4Kawasaki Sharyo12 December 196015 October 1976
SaHa 157-5Kawasaki Sharyo12 December 196015 October 1976
SaRo 157SaRo 157SaRo 157SaRo 157
SaRo 157-1Kisha26 August 195920 July 1976
SaRo 157-2Nippon Sharyo15 August 195928 June 1976
SaRo 157-3Nippon Sharyo15 December 195920 July 1976
SaRo 157-4Kawasaki Sharyo12 December 196020 July 1976
SaRo 157-5Kawasaki Sharyo12 December 196028 June 1976
SaRo 157-6Nippon Sharyo18 March 196328 June 1976
KuRo 157KuRo 157KuRo 157KuRo 157
KuRo 157-1Kawasaki Sharyo8 July 1960