JAPAN JNR The 457 Series Express Electric Multiple-Unit

The latest express in Japan carries a new style motor from the 153 series Electric Multiple-Unit. JNR promoted electrification of the local routes. Electrification of the main line till then was electrification by direct current. JNR promoted electrification by alternating current on the local routes. The electrification by alternating current has simple equipment for the power transmission. Therefore, the train which runs both of the electrification systems was developed. It is an express of the 457 series Electric Multiple-Unit. JNR developed it in 1969. When it was used on the electrified route, these 457 series were able to run on every route. The 457 series were used everywhere in Japan as express trains. They are the same in the Tohoku district and the Kyushu district.
Then, the 457 series were used for the local trains. On the railroads of Japan, the classification called express was almost lost. The classification of the JR trains turned the trains into limited express, rapid, and local trains. Moreover, these 457 series received reconstruction of the various bodies. It was reconstruction for the organization of the trains. This train also appeared in Only Yesterday of Hayao Miyazaki's anime.
This train was a typical train of the district route in Japan. Now, a part of this train is saved in the JR museum.