JR East 255 series train scheduled to operate on New Year's Day 2027

The last remaining 255 series train set, the Be-03 formation, is scheduled to continue its service into early 2027. JR East has announced that this 9-car set will be utilized for special temporary services, including the ‘Minamiboso Hatsuhinode’ express on January 1, 2027, as well as ‘Shinjuku Wakashio’ services in December 2026.

Originally introduced in 1993 for the Boso Peninsula express routes, the 255 series has largely been phased out. Of the original five formations, only the Be-03 set remains in active service. JR East Chiba Branch has indicated that this specific set is maintained as a reserve vehicle to provide extra capacity during peak periods or to substitute for other express trains during maintenance or mechanical failures.

To celebrate the series, a special photography event was held at the Makuhari Vehicle Base on October 24 and 25, 2026. The event featured various historical destination displays and demonstrations, such as pantograph operations and music horn sounds. While the series is over 30 years old, recent maintenance and repainting at the Omiya General Rolling Stock Center suggest the fleet is being kept in operational condition for the foreseeable future.