255 series

255 series
A 255 series EMU on a Shiosai limited express service, August 2010
In service	1993–Present
Manufacturer	Kinki Sharyo, Tokyu Car
Family name	Bōsō View Express
Replaced	183 series
Constructed	1993–1994
Number built	45 vehicles (5 trainsets)
Number in service	45 vehicles (5 trainsets)
Formation	9 cars per trainset
Operator(s)	JR East
Depot(s)	Makuhari
Line(s) served	Sōbu Main Line, Sotobō Line, Uchibō Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Car length	21,000 mm (68 ft 11 in) (end cars) 20,500 mm (67 ft 3 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	2,946 mm (9 ft 8.0 in)
Height	3,785 mm (12 ft 5.0 in)
Doors	1 sliding door per side
Maximum speed	130 km/h (80 mph)
Traction system	VVVF Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor
Power output	95 kW x 16 = 1,520 kW
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC overhead
Bogies	DT56E (motored), TR241E (trailer)
Safety system(s)	ATS-P, ATS-SN
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 255 series (255系^?), or Bōsō View Express (房総ビューエクスプレス^?), is a 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, and was specifically designed to serve on Limited express services from Tokyo to the Bōsō Peninsula.

The trains were built jointly by Kinki Sharyo and Tokyu Car, 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. It is the first JR East limited express rolling stock to feature VVVF Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor traction control system, 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.

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.