Above: A 10-car Odoriko 185-0 Series limited express liner, sitting out of service at Tokyo Station in 2017. The 185 Series looks like a regular liner train, but has the trademark flair of a late 20th century Japanese express train with the distinctive triangular “hood ornament” and the backlit name plaque at both ends of the train.
These particular sets were built in 1980 and originally designed to replace the 153 Series on the Izu express service between Tokyo and Shizuoka. In 1981, the Izu express was converted to the Odoriko limited express. These longer A-series sets included Green Car seats - business-class seating with food cart service which require a second ticket to use.
Over the years, the sets were refurbished multiple times, The 185-0 Series sets were repainted in a “Shonan” green and yellow color scheme. In 2011, the A-series sets were refurbished one last time and their livery restored to the original diagonal green lines they began service with.
As of 2022, all 185 Series trains have been retired from service, with the exception of two refurbished sets which are still in use for special events as touring trains.
Picture taken by me in 2017. Part of my Rolling Stock series of posts.
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