JR East E491 series East i-E
JR East KiYa E193 series East i-D
Data (as of 12 Jan 2024)
| Status: | Least Concern |
| Constructed in: | 2002 |
| Number built: | 3, respectively |
| Registered: | 3, respectively |
History
The E491 series East i-E and KiYa E193 series East i-D are measurement trains developed by JR East. They check and assess conditions of tracks, signals and overhead wires. As their names suggest (they actually do in Japanese), the E491 series is an electric train, while the KiYa E193 series is a diesel one. Both of them are formed of three coaches, and a MaYa 50 coach that checks a structure gauge can be inserted.
The E491 series is a dual-voltage train, while the E193 series is for unelectrified lines. Several private companies borrow either of them to check their facilities.
Current Operations & Future Prospects
They are used for inspection work as mentioned above, and they can be seen sometimes in Tokyo as well. Inspection trains are marked as "run as required", but their schedules can be found on magazines (like Tetsudo Daiya Joho).