Since the opening of the linear motorcar in Shanghai, Shinkansen is no longer the fastest train in the world, but it is still one of the most famous train. Especially the Tokaido Shinkansen line has the most heavy intercity traffic in the world. Ten 16-car superexpress run in an hour in the speed of 270kmph, the speed is limited not by the stock performance but by its traffic density and noise regulation. In Sanyo line and Tohoku line, the Shinkansen runs in the speed of 300kmph.
Shinlansen is the most famous railway in Japan. Tokaido-Sanyo shinkansen is the axis in Japan, running from Tokyo to Hakata, via Shin-Osaka and Nagoya. From Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, the maximum speed is limited to 270km/h, but the same stocks run in 300km/h from Shin-osaka to Hakata. In the peak seasons, 15 services depart Shinagawa station in an hour.
* Click each photo to see the detail.
Shinkansen EMU 500
Sinkansen class 500 is the most popular Shinkansen. The sharp nose and high power motors enabled 300km/h services. A total of 9 trainsets of 144 cars were manufactured. Now they are mainly used for Kodama express, stopping at every station in Sanyo Shinkansen line.
Shinkansen EMU 300
EMU Series 300 is the first Shinkansen designed by JR Tokai. Their max. speed is 270km/h, faster than 220km/h of series 100. The body is made of aluminum, and motors are controlled by inverter. Since 1992, the series had been used in "Nozomi" superexpress, but now used in slowest Kodama services, and being withdrawn.
Shinkansen EMU 700
Series 700 have similar performance to series 300, but the series have more comfortable riding. The double-skin aluminum body shlter the cabin from noises, and inter-body dumpers avoid pitching and yawing. In 2010, the series are the main force in Tokaido-sanyo Shinkansen, and serve as Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama.
Shinkansen EMU N700
Series N700
EMU Series N700 were put into service in 2007, aiming at shorten arrival time from Tokyo to Osaka. Although the max. speed in the interval is limited to 270kmph, high accerelation power and body tilting system with air suspension enabled to shorten 10 minutes. In Sanyo area (Shin-Osaka to Fukuoka), max.speed is 300kmph.
EMU 100, 0, 923
EMU Series 0 are epoch-making first series of Shinkansen. Since 1964 to 1986, a total of 3216 stocks were built. They were in service in Sanyo area in 2000s, but finally withdrawn in 2008. Series 100 had two or 4 double-decker stocks. EMU 923 "Dr. Yellow" check the tracks and trolly, in the speed of 270km/h.
Tokaido Shinkansen
Tokaido Shinkansen is operated by JR-Central. Now all the stocks can drive in 270km/h. New series are developed in every 7 or 8 years, and stocks is withdrawn after running 15 years. Another charactristics are that all the stocks are very homoginized. Their outfit is white and blue, and seats per cars are the same.
Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen opened in 1982. While Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines are integrally operated, these two lines are specifically searated. Since they run northern area in Tokyo, stocks and tracks are designed to be ready for coldness and snow. As Yamagata and Akita shinkansen were rebuilt from normal narrow-gauge lines, stockss in these lines are smaller than normal Shinkansen stocks.
* Click each photo to see the detail.
Tohoku Shinkansen
Tohoku Shinkansen, opened in 1982, is the main Shinkansen line of JR-East. Starting from Tokyo, the line runs through Sendai, Morioka and Shin-Aomori. Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen branch in the middle. Various types of stocks are used, including mini-Shinkansen, Double-decker E4.
Yamagata Akita Shinkansen
Shinkansen has 1435mm gauge, non-compatible to ordinary JR line's 1067mm gauge. Part of Ou line and Tazawako line has restructured to 1435mm gauge, and hybrid stocks E3 run through as "Komachi" and "Tsubasa". Since stock E3's capacity is small, it runs together with larger E2 and E4 in Tohoku Shinkansen.
EMU 200 Toki
EMU Series 200 is designed by Tohoku and Joetsu line in 1982. Their design is simlilar to EMU 0, but body is made by aluminum and performance is improved. JR-East added stocks with sharp nose and double-decker stocks, but now being withdrawn. In 2010, only renovated stocks are used for "Toki" express.
EMU E1 MAX Double Decker
EMU Series E1, appeared in 1994, are the first Shinkansen stocks with full-double decked trainset. Electrical furnitures are located on the top of the bogies. One trainset consists of 6 motor cars and 6 trailers, and max. speed is 240km/h. They are mainly used in "Toki" in Joetsu Shinkansen.
EMU E2 Hayate/Yamabiko
EMU Series E2 is the main force in Shinkansen of JR East line. Max. speed is 275km/h, used in "Hayate" and "Yamabiko" in Tohoku Shinkansen. While the first group, built since 1997, has smaller window and GTO inverter, the group build since 2001 has larger window and IGBT inverter.
EMU E2 Asama
Nagano shinkansen was opeened in 1997. Since the line runs mountanuous area and electric supply alters from 50Hz to 60Hz in the middle of the line, series E2 is the only stocks used in the line. While E2 in Tohoku line has pink belt, E2 in Nagano Shinkanesn (Asama express) has red belt.
EMU E4 Double Decker
EMU Series E4 is double-decked Shinkansen, following E1. A trainset consists of 8 cars, and they are coudpled with other E4 trainset, or with E3 "Tsubasa" and "Komachi" express. Since their max. speed is 240km/h, they are going to move from Tohoku Shinkansen to Joetsu shinkansen.
EMU E3 Komachi
Series E3 is designed in 1997, for Akita Shinkansen "Komachi" express. "Komachi" runs from Tokyo to Morioka with Hayate, and after Morioka, it runs Tazawako line to Akita. Max. speed is 275km/h, and they are also used for "Yamabiko", which only runs within Tohoku line.
EMU E3 Tsubasa
Yamagata Shinkansen ("Tsubasa") was extended from Yamagata to Shinjo in 1999, so some E3-1000 trainsets were added to series 400. Their color have green-belt, comparing to pink belt of "Komachi". From 2008 to 2010, all the EMU 400 were replaced by E3-2000. They can be coupled with E2 and E4.
EMU 400/East i E926
Series 400 is designed for Yamagata Shinkansen "Tsubasa" in 1992. While their body size is the same as that of non-Shinkanse JR stocks, they can run in the speed of 240km/h. Now E3 has taken over the roll, and all 400 stocks has withdrawn. E926 checks all the Shinkansen tracks in JR-East.
Ueno Station
Ueno station is the only underground station in Shinkansen. Although the station only has 4 lines with 2 platforms, it has spacious atmosphere because of larger stock size of Shinkansen. After opened in 1982, the line has extended to Tokyo in 1991. Now some fast trains, like Hayate, passes the station.
