JR East 255 series electricals updated

[miyakoji]

Lately we've discussed some possible JR East rolling stock replacement; I'm going to guess that the 255 series, used for limited express services from Tokyo out to Chiba prefecture, still has a few years ahead of it.  Tetsudou News has an item (http://railf.jp/news/2015/02/14/180000.html) about refubishment work done on formation Be05.  Apparently it went to Omiya from its regular depot of Makuhari on October 9, and while getting a full inspection, had its inverter updated to an IGBT type from a VVVF type.  I think the pans were also replaced, but with the same two-arm types.  It looks like it also got fresh paint.

 

It has since been on test runs from Tsudanuma to Ryogoku and separately Tokyo, as well as Makuhari > Awa-Kamogawa > Awa-Kominato > Awa-Kamogawa > Soga > Tokyo > Honda > Makuhari.  Quite a ride, although based on the series of stations named, I don't think it was a loop around the Boso peninsula.

 

There's also this image on Ompuchaneru, it's MOHA 255-9, the second car from the Awa-Kamogawa end of the train.  I think this is Omiya: http://rail-uploader.khz-net.com/img-box/img20150209190603093b0.jpg

[bikkuri bahn]

Interesting.  Apparently these were the first inverter-equipped limited express types for JR East.  I suppose the original Toshiba GTO inverters were getting a bit long on the tooth.