189 series

The 189 series is a Japanese limited express electric multiple unit operated by the Japanese National Railways and its successor the East Japan Railway Company from October 1975 to March 2019.
==History==
The 189 series was designed in 1975 as an upgraded version of the 183 series sets designed to operate over the steep 66.7‰ (1 in 15) gradients of the Usui Pass.
Due to their age, their obsolescence has shown and they are being replaced by newer trains. Set M51 was retired on 27 April 2018 after being used on a special final run service; set M52 was retired on 22 April 2018. Only one set, N102, remained in operation as of May 2018; it was retired on 28 March 2019, marking the end of the 44 years of service of the 189 series.
==Design==
The 189 series is directly based on the 183 series sets, so its design is identical to the 183 series sets.
==Specifications==
Construction is of steel. End cars are 21 meters long while intermediate cars are 20.5 meters long. Traction motors were resistor controlled, which was standard for the time. The 189 series sets are very similar to the 183 series sets, in addition to its ability to scale the steep grades of the Usui Pass.
==Preservation==
The following 189 series cars have been preserved:
Car number 	Manufacturer 	Date manufactured	Date retired 	Previous sets	Location 	Notes
KuHa 189-506	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	June 1975 	February 1999	N105 	Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma, Japan 	Restored to JNR appearance with JNR crest; interior open for public viewing
KuHa 189-5 	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	June 1975 	February 1999	N104 	Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma, Japan 	Painted in Asama livery, coupled to MoHa 189-5; interior not open for public viewing
MoHa 189-5 	Nippon Sharyo 	June 1975 	February 1999	N207 	Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Gunma, Japan 	Intermediate car, painted in Asama livery, coupled to KuHa 189-5; interior not open for public viewing
MoHa 189-31 	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	September 1978 	June 2008 	C4 	The Railway Museum, Saitama, Japan 	Intermediate car, coupled to KuHa 183-1020, acts as resting area
MoHa 188-31 	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	September 1978 	June 2008 	C4 	The Railway Museum, Saitama, Japan 	Intermediate car, coupled to KuHa 183-1009, acts as resting area
KuHa 189-510	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	December 1975 	March 2019 	N102 	Nagano General Rolling Stock Center, Nagano, Japan	Ex-N102, last operational set, stored on scrap line
KuHa 189-9 	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	November 1975 	March 2019 	N102 	Nagano General Rolling Stock Center, Nagano, Japan	Ex-N102, last operational set, stored on scrap line
==Gallery==
189 Fujikyuko 2016.jpg|M50, M51 and M52 in August 2016
File:MoHa 188-31 2022.jpg
File:MoHa 189-31 2022.jpg
File:KuHa 189-506 2023.jpg
File:KuHa 189-5 2023.jpg
File:MoHa 189-5 2020.jpg
==Trivia==
*A sale held at Toyota Depot on 22 September 2018 sold memorabilia relating to the 189 series sets; most memorabilia included items and equipment used on the actual 189 series sets, including destination indicators, interior seats and a number board from car KuHa 189-14 (ex-M50).
==See also==
*183 series, the sets the 189 series sets are based on
==References==
*Wikipedia.org
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:Kawasaki locomotives
Category:Nippon Sharyo locomotives