JR East's limited express train, the EMU 651 series, remains in the history of Japanese railways. It was launched in March, 1989 to speed up the Joban line. Its maximum speed was 130 kilometers per hour. You might feel that the 130 kilometers per hour isn't so fast, but please take the Japanese railway system into consideration. For example, the track gauge of conventional lines is narrow (1,067 millimeters). There are many curved tracks especially in mountainous areas. More importantly, according to the rules of train operations established by the Ministry of Transportation, train braking distance had to be less than 600 meters (except Shinkansen) at that time.
The 651 series overcame the above bottlenecks. The "600 meters regulation" was passed by developing an antilock brake system. The 651 series had been operated as a limited express train "Super-Hitachi" for 24 years, and retired from the Joban line in 2013. It was very popular among rail-fans. The white and olive gray-colored body was stylish, so, rail-fans called it the "tuxedo body (penguin suit body)".
The old soldier was thought to have died, but in March, 2014, the 651 series came back onto the track to spend its second life under the new name of the 651-1000 series. It was renovated from an AC-DC dual current to a DC train. As of January, 2022, it's still operated as limited express trains "Kusatsu" and "Akagi" on the Takasaki and other lines.
Old soldiers never die, they just fade away... No, they are still at the forefront!
