However, with the decline of tourism related services, the 8800 series were relegated to trans-city expresses.

Originally, the fees paid by passengers who took "Panorama DX" trains were higher than those who took "Panorama Super" services; this was later changed so both services had the same fees.

As the 8800 series only had a top speed of 110 km/h, compared to the top speed of 120 km/h on "Panorama Super" trains, the 8800 series were slowly taken out of service, with all being withdrawn by late January 2005, and scrapped by March the same year.

The 8800 series was the recipient of the 28th Blue Ribbon Award held in 1985.

[2] The front half of the cab section of unit 8803 has been preserved at the Maigi inspection yard.