Dedicated Units for Moonlight Echigo and Moonlight Shinshu?

[gmat]

The past week, I've had a chance to see a number of 183/189 and 481/485 trains. I've usually shot the small number plate hung in the control cabin as a way to identify the train, but since it's removable, perhaps it not always true. The Moonlight Echigo has a run that leaves Shinjuku at 10:54 and its plate was 31. Another arrives the next morning and its number plate is 31. There was no time for the same train to make the trip and back in 6 hours so I shot the numbers on the cars the next time I had a chance. They were different. What I wonder is, assuming they use units with the same colors, how many units are reserved and used for the Moonlight Echigo and the Moonlight Shinshu? Some like the old Kinugawa 189 and 185 and the Kawaguchiko with its character had only single units. When the Kawaguchiko was temporirarily replaced, it was with a cream and red in the old style colors.
Anyone have definite info?

Best wishes,
Grant

[The_Ghan]

Doesn't the plate number match the timetable service number?  I always thought so!  The car number is painted on the car itself, eg It would therefore come as no surprise that different consists can display the same plate numbers.  I'll bet the plate is reversable too ... with "32" on the reverse side for the trip back.  Unfortunately I can't help with the rest of your question.

Cheers

The_Ghan

[miyakoji]

gmat I think you're looking at the ressha bango, which means train number, but in the sense of service or run number, not a number for a specific car or consist.

[gmat]

Thanks, The Ghan.
I don't think that the plate number matches the run.The 185 series have a similar plate, but I believe that the numbers, for example A1 or B5 identify different sets and where they are based. The numbers are the same on both sides of the plate. I have shot the back side of the plate on double units, where the plate is on the opposite of the side cab from the platform and also blocked by the cab of the other unit, so I have to shoot the back of the plate to get the number. The number is the same as the number on the plate at the other end of the train. For the Kawaguchiko 189, the number plate remains the same going to Kawaguchiko or returning to Shinjuku Station. When it was temporarily replaced by a 183 painted in the old cream and red colors, the number was different.

Gotta go, back with more later.

Best wishes,
Grant

[ISO8]

The past week, I've had a chance to see a number of 183/189 and 481/485 trains. I've usually shot the small number plate hung in the control cabin as a way to identify the train, but since it's removable, perhaps it not always true.

Hi gmat san.
the small plate you saw means the fleet No.
the 31 indicates the fleet is "Mari 31" (Belonging at Makuhari yard, No.31) , I understood.
for example,
http://photozou.jp/photo/show/1840456/90761484
Can you identify the plate ?
Kind regards,
ISO8

[gmat]

Thank you very much, ISO8. Right now, 31 seems to run to Hakuba and 32 runs to Shinjuku. I've shot 31 only once, heading to Hakuba and 32 about 5 times, all coming to Shinjuku. Ive noticed that 32 turns around and stops at Omiya before heading north. I thought it would be better to have it park near Tokyo take the Hakuba run that night, if there is one. What also started me wondering about the plate is that on a few occasions, there was no plate visible. And since the plates are on hooks and are easily removed I had wondered if the plates might be frequently swapped. But you cleared it up for me. Thanks again.

Best wishes,
Grant

[The_Ghan]

Hi gmat,

Thanks for the clarification ... I was with miyakoji on this one.  I originally thought it was the fleet number, as suggested by ISO8 but didn't you mention that you saw the same number twice in a space of time too short for it to have been the same car?

Also, could you share a few of these photos with us?  It might jog some memories.

Cheers

The_Ghan