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JR Hokkaido 785 Series / JR北海道785系

The 785 Series (785系) is a limited express type EMU operated by JR Hokkaido since 1990.

Developed shortly after JR Hokkaido took over operations from JNR, the 785 series was introduced for intercity services between Sapporo and Asahikawa. With the opening of an expressway between the two largest cities on the island, JR Hokkaido aimed to retain the number of rail passengers by reducing travel times and improving the quality of service. The 785 series had a planned operational top speed of 140km/h, which would connect the cities in an hour. However, it was scaled back to 130km/h in consideration of existing ground facilities. This type became the first JR Group passenger train to adopt VVVF control, and JR Hokkaido's first new intercity train. The 0 series entered service with 4-car basic formations and 2-car additional formations, these changed to 5-car and 2+3 car sets after the introduction of 500 series premium "U-seat" carriages in 2002. A single 2-car set was converted to operate with the 789 series as additional vehicles for Super Hakucho, which links Hokkaido with Honshu via the Seikan Tunnel. This set retired when the Hokkaido Shinkansen replaced limited express trains across the tunnel in 2016. The 0 and 500 series were placed on Lilac and Super White Arrow (later renamed to Kamui), along with New Chitose Airport rapid trains and some Homeliner services. In 2015, JR Hokkaido announced the retirement of the 785 series within the next four years, and subsequently removed them from Sapporo-Asahikawa and airport services. All 0 series sets were scrapped in 2017, but the two 500 series sets are still in active service likely due to lack of funding for new trains. These units are placed on Suzuran between Sapporo and Muroran, with unknown future prospects. After the 2024 timetable change raised the fares of Suzuran, the service has lost significant market share to express busses. This situation may cause JR Hokkaido to reduce the number of trains, thus eliminating the 785 series.


Basic Information:

Max Speed: 130km/h
Acceleration: 0.67m/s/s
Motor Output: 190kW x 4 per car, 230kW x 4 per car (500 series)
In Service: 1990-2017 (0 series), 2002- (500 series)

The following formations are included:

0 Series (2 Car)

Configuration: 1M1T
Max Pax: 114
-operations ended

0 Series (4 Car)

Configuration: 2M2T
Max Pax: 242
-operations ended

500 Series (2+3 Car)

Configuration: 3M2T
Max Pax: 277

0 Series (5 Car)

Configuration: 3M2T
Max Pax: 291
-operations ended

-can also be operated as 2+4, 2+4+4, and 2+4+4+2 formations.