KuYa 497 series

The KuYa 497 series was a Japanese non-revenue electric multiple unit operated by the East Japan Railway Company from June 1987 to May 1996.
==History==
The KuYa 497 series car was designed as a vehicle to determine the factor of adhesion on various tracks. The sole vehicle, KuYa 497-1, started out life as 63 series car MoHa 63738, built in June 1948 by Kisha Seizō; it was rebuilt into 72 series car MoHa 72274 in July 1952 and then into KuMoNi 83 series car KuMoNi 83805 in December 1966. KuMoNi 83805 would be rebuilt into KuYa 497-1 in March 1987 at Ōi Works; the conversion was completed on 31 March 1987, one day before the JNR's division and privatization. When the JNR was privatized, the car came under ownership of the Railway Technical Research Institute.
To allow the car to run on JNR's lines, ownership of the set came under JR East although maintenance was still performed by the RTRI. The car was stationed at Toyoda Depot and began operations on 5 June 1987. The car was struck from the register on 13 May 1996, but remained at RTRI for factor of adhesion tests and variable gauge tests. With the introduction of new test vehicles to the RTRI, KuYa 497-1 was scrapped to make space for these new vehicles.
==Design==
The KuYa 497 series set featured a squared-off design similar to tractor units operated by the JNR.
The set is painted in maroon with cream accents. The Japanese name for the RTRI was printed on the sides of the cars in block letters.
==Specifications==
Construction was of steel.
==References==
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:JR Group trains
Category:Scrapped electric trainsets
Category:Built in 1987
Category:Ōi Works locomotives