185 series

The 185 series (185系) is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) primarily on middle-distance limited express services centering on Tokyo.

The class is broadly divided into two variants: 185-0 series for use south-west of Tokyo, and 185-200 series originally for use north of Tokyo.

185-0 series

The 185 series was primarily intended to replace ageing 153 series EMUs used on Izu express trains from Tokyo to the Izu Peninsula. The requirement was also for a "general-purpose" train that could also be used occasionally on local services. This resulted in a design featuring 1,000 mm wide doors at either end of each car, compared with the standard limited express (e.g. 183 series) layout with 700 mm wide doors at one end of each car.

A total of eight 10-car sets (sets A1 to A8, including two Green cars) and seven 5-car sets (sets C1 to C7) were built between 1979 and 1980 (115 vehicles in total), and delivered to Tamachi depot. Initially, they were phased in on Izu express trains from March 1981, working alongside (and sometimes coupled with) the older 153 series trains. In October 1981, the Izu express was upgraded to become the Odoriko limited express, with all trains formed of 185 series sets.