The is a limited express

Limited express

A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes.- Japan :...

 EMU

Electric multiple unit

An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...

 type introduced in 1972 by Japanese National Railways

Japanese National Railways

, abbreviated or "JNR", was the national railway network of Japan from 1949 to 1987.-History:The term Kokuyū Tetsudō "state-owned railway" originally referred to a network of railway lines operated by nationalized companies under the control of the Railway Institute following the nationalization...

 (JNR), and currently operated in Japan by East Japan Railway Company

East Japan Railway Company

is the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....

 (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company

West Japan Railway Company

, also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group companies and operates in western Honshū. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka.-History:...

 (JR West).

The 489 series trains were developed in 1972 from the earlier 485 series

485 series

The is a limited express electric multiple unit type introduced in 1964 by Japanese National Railways , and currently operated by East Japan Railway Company , and formerly also operated by West Japan Railway Company and Kyushu Railway Company in Japan.-481 series:Introduced in 1964, the 481...

 specially for use on the Hakusan and Asama limited express

Limited express

A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes.- Japan :...

 services operating over the steeply graded Usui Pass

Usui Pass

The is a mountain pass that lies between Nagano and Gunma Prefectures in Japan. It has served as one of the major transportation routes in central Japan since at least the eighth century.- Road :...

 (Yokokawa Station

Yokokawa Station

is a train station in Annaka, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.-History:Yokokawa Station opened on October 15, 1885 as the terminus of the governmental railway between and Yokokawa....

 - Karuizawa Station

Karuizawa Station

is a train station located in Karuizawa in Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.-Lines:*East Japan Railway Company **Nagano Shinkansen *Shinano Railway**Shinano Railway Line-History:...

 of old JNR Shin'etsu Main Line

Shin'etsu Main Line

The is a set of lines operated by the East Japan Railway Company in Japan. The bulk of the line runs from Shinonoi Station in Nagano Prefecture to Niigata Station in Niigata Prefecture, with several connections to other lines including Hokuriku Main Line at Naoetsu Station in Niigata Prefecture...

). They were designed to operate in multiple with the JNR Class EF63

JNR Class EF63

The JNR Class EF63 is a class of 1,500 V DC electric locomotives formerly operating in Japan.-History:A total of 25 Class EF63 locomotives were built between 1962 and 1976 exclusively for use as bankers on the steeply-graded Usui Pass section of the Shinetsu Main Line between Yokokawa and Karuizawa...

electric banking locomotives.