583 series

583 series
583 series on Aizu Liner service, September 2008
In service	1967–Present
Manufacturer	Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Car Corporation
Constructed	1967-1972
Entered service	1967-present
Number built	434 vehicles
Number in service	6 vehicles
Number preserved	4 vehicles
Number scrapped	424 vehicles
Formation	6, 10, 12, 13 cars per set
Operator(s)	JNR (1967-1987) JR Hokkaido (1987-1990) JR East (1987-present) JR-West (1987-2013)
Depot(s)	Akita, Sendai, Kyoto
Specifications
Doors	1 per side (except dining car)
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Traction system	Resistor control
Acceleration	1.3 km/h/s
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC, 20 kV AC 50 Hz (583 series), 60 Hz (581, 583 series)
Braking system(s)	Dynamic brake, Electro-pneumatic brake
Safety system(s)	ATS-S, ATS-P
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 581 / 583 series (581 / 583系, Gohyaku-hachijūichi / gohyaku-hachijūichi-kei^?) are limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) train types introduced in 1967 by Japanese National Railways and operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) on the through services express Kitaguni and other special trains.

The seats of the 581 and 583 series can be transformed into three-berth beds, enabling the trains to be used on both daytime and night train services.

The 581 series was introduced in 1967 on the Midori (Shin-Ōsaka - Kumamoto daytime limited express) and Gekkō (Shin-Osaka - Hakata night limited express).

The 583 series was introduced in 1968 on the Hatsukari (Ueno - Aomori via Tōhoku Main Line daytime), Hakutsuru (Ueno - Aomori via Tōhoku Main Line night), and Yūzuru (Ueno - Aomori via Jōban Line night).

These trains were subsequently used on other limited express services.

In 1982, when the Tōhoku Shinkansen opened, many cars became surplus to requirements, and some were remodeled into 419 series and 715 series EMUs.