200 Series Shinkansen
Encyclopedia
The is a Shinkansen
high-speed train type introduced by Japan National Railways (JNR) for the Tōhoku Shinkansen
and Jōetsu Shinkansen
high-speed rail lines in Japan, and currently operated by East Japan Railway Company
(JR East). They actually predate the 100 series
trains, having been built between 1980 and 1986. It was one of the two recipients of the 23rd Laurel Prize
presented by the Japan Railfan Club, the first Shinkansen type to receive that award.
trains in styling (some later units had the pointed 'shark nose' of the 100 series), but are lighter and more powerful, since these two lines are mountain routes and have steeper gradients. These lines are also prone to snowfall and the trains have small snowplow
s fitted, as well as protection of equipment against snow.
They were originally painted in ivory with a green window band and lower bodyside band, but a number of sets were refurbished and painted into a white-upper/dark blue-lower scheme with new wrap-around cab windows from 1999.
The first units were capable of 210 km/h (130.5 mph) but later ones can do 240 km/h (149.1 mph), and four were converted to be capable of 275 km/h (170.9 mph). Some units were also modified with retractable couplers
in the nose for coupling with Yamagata Shinkansen
Tsubasa and Akita Shinkansen
Komachi Mini-shinkansen
sets, but these are no longer in service. In addition, some of the later 200 series shinkansen trains were fitted with double-deck cars, which had semi-open standard-class compartments on the lower deck and green class (first class) seating on the upper deck. These too have been removed from service.
Withdrawal of the earlier units began in 1997, and the last remaining unrefurbished set was withdrawn in May 2007.
services, and for Jōetsu Shinkansen
Asahi
and Toki
services. These had a maximum speed of 210 km/h, and remained in service until early 1993.
The 12-car E sets were formed as follows.
12-car 200-1000 series sets with a maximum speed of 240 km/h (149.1 mph) which were introduced in November 1983.
From March 1990, four selected 12-car F sets (F90–F93, formerly F54, F59, F14, F16) were upgraded allowing them to run at a maximum of 275 km/h (170.9 mph) on a small number of down
Asahi services. 275 km/h (170.9 mph) services were discontinued on the Jōetsu Shinkansen from 1998, with the introduction of E2 series
trains, and the F90 sets were subsequently used interchangeably with other 240 km/h (149.1 mph) F sets.
Set F80 (formerly F17) was modified for use on additional Nagano Shinkansen
Asama services in February 1998 during the 1998 Winter Olympics
held in Nagano. The train remained in operation until 2004, used interchangeably with other F sets.
Some F sets are similar to the H sets in that the driving trailer cars were built with a pointed nose, just like the latter. These trains however, feature a solid green line unlike the H sets, where they have two green lines, one thick and one thin, separated by a thin white section near the bottom.
Cars 2, 4, 10, and 12 were equipped with cross-arm pantographs. (3, 5, 7, and 9 for sets F90-93)
The 8-car G sets were formed as follows.
Cars 2, 4, 6, and 8 were equipped with cross-arm pantographs. Some sets had an "Mpk" car (numbered 225-400) in place of the 237 buffet car for car 11.
Regular operations using 16-car H sets ended from the start of the revised timetable on 13 March 2004, by sets H4 and H5 were reinstated as 12-car sets from the summer of 2004 for seasonal use with their Green cars removed. These two sets survived until mid-2005.
The 16-car H sets were formed as follows.
Cars 2, 4, 8, 12, and 14 were equipped with cross-arm pantographs.
The 12-car H sets (H4 & H5) were formed as follows.
Cars 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 were equipped with cross-arm pantographs.
8-car and later 10-car sets with a maximum speed of 240 km/h modified with nose-end couplers to operate in conjunction with 400 series
Yamagata Shinkansen
sets and E3 series
Akita Shinkansen
sets.
The remaining sets in use on the Tōhoku Shinkansen are scheduled to be withdrawn from 19 November 2011, but 200 series sets will continue to be used on the Jōetsu Shinkansen.
325 service) derailed on the Jōetsu Shinkansen line while travelling at a speed of approximately 200 km/h between Nagaoka Station
and Urasa Station
on 23 October 2004 during the 2004 Chūetsu earthquake
. Eight of the ten cars were derailed. This was the first derailment of a Shinkansen train in service. None of the 155 passengers on board was injured. Set K25 was officially withdrawn on 25 March 2005.
Shinkansen
The , also known as THE BULLET TRAIN, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. Starting with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen in 1964, the network has expanded to currently consist of of lines with maximum speeds of , of Mini-shinkansen with a...
high-speed train type introduced by Japan National Railways (JNR) for the Tōhoku Shinkansen
Tohoku Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen rail line, connecting Tokyo with Aomori in Aomori Prefecture for a total length of 674 km, Japan's longest Shinkansen line. It runs through the more sparsely populated Tōhoku region of Japan's main island Honshu. It has two spur lines, Yamagata...
and Jōetsu Shinkansen
Joetsu Shinkansen
The is a high-speed railway line connecting Tokyo and Niigata, Japan, via the Tōhoku Shinkansen, operated by the East Japan Railway Company .-History:The program was initiated in 1971 by Niigata-born prime minister Tanaka Kakuei...
high-speed rail lines in Japan, and currently operated 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). They actually predate the 100 series
100 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built between 1984 and 1991 for the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and Sanyō Shinkansen high-speed lines. The earliest units have now been withdrawn from service, and the series was retired from the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line in September 2003...
trains, having been built between 1980 and 1986. It was one of the two recipients of the 23rd Laurel Prize
Laurel Prize
The is an award presented annually in Japan since 1961 by the Japan Railfan Club. It is awarded for railway vehicles that entered service in the previous year and voted by the selection committee as having the most outstanding functional and design features....
presented by the Japan Railfan Club, the first Shinkansen type to receive that award.
Design
The 200 Series Shinkansen trains resemble the earlier 0 series0 Series Shinkansen
The trains were the first Shinkansen trainsets built to run on Japan's new Tōkaidō Shinkansen high-speed line which opened in 1964. The last remaining trainsets were withdrawn in 2008.-History:...
trains in styling (some later units had the pointed 'shark nose' of the 100 series), but are lighter and more powerful, since these two lines are mountain routes and have steeper gradients. These lines are also prone to snowfall and the trains have small snowplow
Snowplow
A snowplow is a device intended for mounting on a vehicle, used for removing snow and ice from outdoor surfaces, typically those serving transportation purposes...
s fitted, as well as protection of equipment against snow.
They were originally painted in ivory with a green window band and lower bodyside band, but a number of sets were refurbished and painted into a white-upper/dark blue-lower scheme with new wrap-around cab windows from 1999.
The first units were capable of 210 km/h (130.5 mph) but later ones can do 240 km/h (149.1 mph), and four were converted to be capable of 275 km/h (170.9 mph). Some units were also modified with retractable couplers
Coupling (railway)
A coupling is a mechanism for connecting rolling stock in a train. The design of the coupler is standard, and is almost as important as the railway gauge, since flexibility and convenience are maximised if all rolling stock can be coupled together.The equipment that connects the couplings to the...
in the nose for coupling with Yamagata Shinkansen
Yamagata Shinkansen
The is a Mini-shinkansen route in Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company . It provides service between Tokyo and Shinjō in Yamagata Prefecture over the tracks of the Tōhoku Shinkansen and the Ōu Main Line....
Tsubasa and Akita Shinkansen
Akita Shinkansen
The is a Mini-shinkansen high-speed rail line in Japan. Serving the Kantō and Tōhoku Regions of the country, it links Tokyo and Akita in Akita prefecture with direct service. From Tokyo to Morioka in Iwate prefecture, it operates on the Tōhoku Shinkansen tracks. From there to Ōmagari, it uses the...
Komachi Mini-shinkansen
Mini-shinkansen
is the name given to the concept of converting narrow gauge railway lines to standard gauge for use by Shinkansen train services in Japan. Two mini-shinkansen routes have been constructed: the Yamagata Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen.-Concept:...
sets, but these are no longer in service. In addition, some of the later 200 series shinkansen trains were fitted with double-deck cars, which had semi-open standard-class compartments on the lower deck and green class (first class) seating on the upper deck. These too have been removed from service.
Withdrawal of the earlier units began in 1997, and the last remaining unrefurbished set was withdrawn in May 2007.
Variants
Since their introduction in 1982, the 200 series sets have been operated in a number of different formations as described below.E sets (1982–1993)
12-car sets for Tōhoku Shinkansen Yamabiko and AobaAoba (train)
is the name of an all-stations service that operated until 1997 on the Tōhoku Shinkansen in Japan.-History:The name Aoba was first used from 20 November 1945 on an service between Ueno in Tokyo and Sendai on the Tōhoku Main Line...
services, and for Jōetsu Shinkansen
Joetsu Shinkansen
The is a high-speed railway line connecting Tokyo and Niigata, Japan, via the Tōhoku Shinkansen, operated by the East Japan Railway Company .-History:The program was initiated in 1971 by Niigata-born prime minister Tanaka Kakuei...
Asahi
Asahi (train)
is the name of a limited-stop train service that operated until 2002 on the Jōetsu Shinkansen in Japan.-Operations:The Asahi shinkansen services ran approximately hourly, with two down services permitted to operate at 275 km/h in the tunnel section between Jōmō-Kōgen and Urasa using specially...
and Toki
Toki (train)
is the name of a train service operating on the Jōetsu Shinkansen in Japan.-History:The name Toki was first introduced on 10 June 1962 for limited express services operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Niigata on the Jōetsu Line...
services. These had a maximum speed of 210 km/h, and remained in service until early 1993.
The 12-car E sets were formed as follows.
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Mc | M' | M | M' | Mk | M' | Ms | M' | MB | M' | M | M'c |
| Numbering | 221 | 226 | 225 | 226 | 225-400 | 226 | 215 | 226 | 237 | 226 | 225 | 222 |
F sets (1983–2007)
From March 1990, four selected 12-car F sets (F90–F93, formerly F54, F59, F14, F16) were upgraded allowing them to run at a maximum of 275 km/h (170.9 mph) on a small number of down
Railroad directions
Railroad directions are used to describe train directions on railroad systems. The terms used may be derived from such sources as compass directions, altitude directions, or other directions...
Asahi services. 275 km/h (170.9 mph) services were discontinued on the Jōetsu Shinkansen from 1998, with the introduction of E2 series
E2 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen train type operated by East Japan Railway Company on the Tōhoku and Nagano Shinkansen high-speed lines in Japan since 1997. They are formed in 8- and 10-car sets. The 8-car sets are used on the Nagano Shinkansen, and the 10-car sets on Tōhoku Shinkansen...
trains, and the F90 sets were subsequently used interchangeably with other 240 km/h (149.1 mph) F sets.
Set F80 (formerly F17) was modified for use on additional Nagano Shinkansen
Nagano Shinkansen
The is a Shinkansen high-speed rail line operated by East Japan Railway Company between Takasaki and Nagano in Japan. It opened on 1 October 1997, connecting Tokyo and Nagano in time for the 1998 Winter Olympics held in Nagano...
Asama services in February 1998 during the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
held in Nagano. The train remained in operation until 2004, used interchangeably with other F sets.
Some F sets are similar to the H sets in that the driving trailer cars were built with a pointed nose, just like the latter. These trains however, feature a solid green line unlike the H sets, where they have two green lines, one thick and one thin, separated by a thin white section near the bottom.
Formations
The 12-car F sets were formed as follows.| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Mc | M' | M | M' | Mk | M' | M | M' | MB | M' | MS | M'c |
| Numbering | 221 | 226 | 225 | 226 | 225-400 | 226-100 | 225 | 226 | 225 | 226 | 215 | 222 |
Cars 2, 4, 10, and 12 were equipped with cross-arm pantographs. (3, 5, 7, and 9 for sets F90-93)
G sets (1987–1999)
10-car, and later 8-car, sets formed from the earlier 12-car E sets, with a maximum speed of 210 km/h. These entered service from 18 April 1987.Formations
The initial 10-car G sets were formed as follows.| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Mc | M' | M4 | M' | Ms | M' | MB | M' | M | M'c |
| Numbering | 221 | 226 | 225-400 | 226 | 215 | 226 | 237 | 226 | 225 | 222 |
The 8-car G sets were formed as follows.
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Mc | M' | M4 | M' | Mhs | M' | MB | M'c |
| Numbering | 221 | 226 | 225-400 | 226 | 215-300 | 226 | 237 | 222 |
Cars 2, 4, 6, and 8 were equipped with cross-arm pantographs. Some sets had an "Mpk" car (numbered 225-400) in place of the 237 buffet car for car 11.
H sets (1990–2005)
Six 13-car and later 16-car sets (H1–H6) with a maximum speed of 240 km/h for use on Yamabiko (nicknamed Super Yamabiko) services, incorporating two bilevel Green cars (cars 9 and 10) These sets entered service from 23 June 1990.Regular operations using 16-car H sets ended from the start of the revised timetable on 13 March 2004, by sets H4 and H5 were reinstated as 12-car sets from the summer of 2004 for seasonal use with their Green cars removed. These two sets survived until mid-2005.
Formations
The initial 13-car H sets were formed as follows.| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Mc | M' | M | M' | Mk | M' | TsD | Ms | M' | MB | M' | M | M'c |
| Numbering | 221 | 226 | 225 | 226 | 225-400 | 226 | 249 | 215 | 226 | 237 | 226 | 225 | 222 |
The 16-car H sets were formed as follows.
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Mc | M' | M | M' | M | M' | Mk | M' | T'sD | TsD | MCON | M' | M | M' | M | M'c |
| Numbering | 221-200 | 226-100 | 225 | 226-100 | 225 | 226 | 225-400 | 226-100 | 249 | 248 | 225-100 | 226-100 | 225-200 | 226-100 | 225 | 222-200 |
| Seating capacity | 50 | 95 | 80 | 95 | 80 | 95 | 70 | 95 | 67 | 40 | 70 | 95 | 68 | 95 | 80 | 55 |
Cars 2, 4, 8, 12, and 14 were equipped with cross-arm pantographs.
The 12-car H sets (H4 & H5) were formed as follows.
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Mc | M' | M | M' | Mk | M' | M | M' | M | M' | Mcon | M'c |
| Numbering | 221-200 | 226-100 | 225 | 226-100 | 225-400 | 226-100 | 225 | 226-100 | 225-200 | 226-100 | 225-100 | 222-200 |
Cars 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 were equipped with cross-arm pantographs.
K sets (1992– )
400 Series Shinkansen
The was a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by East Japan Railway Company between 1992 and 2010 on Tsubasa services on Japan's first Mini-shinkansen line, the Yamagata Shinkansen branch from the main Tōhoku Shinkansen....
Yamagata Shinkansen
Yamagata Shinkansen
The is a Mini-shinkansen route in Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company . It provides service between Tokyo and Shinjō in Yamagata Prefecture over the tracks of the Tōhoku Shinkansen and the Ōu Main Line....
sets and E3 series
E3 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built for Komachi services which commenced on 3 June 1997, coinciding with opening of the new Akita Shinkansen 'mini-shinkansen' line, a regular narrow-gauge line between Morioka and Akita upgraded to . Later versions of the E3 series were also...
Akita Shinkansen
Akita Shinkansen
The is a Mini-shinkansen high-speed rail line in Japan. Serving the Kantō and Tōhoku Regions of the country, it links Tokyo and Akita in Akita prefecture with direct service. From Tokyo to Morioka in Iwate prefecture, it operates on the Tōhoku Shinkansen tracks. From there to Ōmagari, it uses the...
sets.
The remaining sets in use on the Tōhoku Shinkansen are scheduled to be withdrawn from 19 November 2011, but 200 series sets will continue to be used on the Jōetsu Shinkansen.
Formations
The K sets are formed as follows.| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Mc | M' | M | M' | M | M' | Mpk | M' | Ms | M'c |
| Numbering | 221 | 226 | 225 | 226 | 225 | 226 | 225 | 226 | 215 | 222 |
Derailment
A refurbished 200 series train (set K25 on the TokiToki (train)
is the name of a train service operating on the Jōetsu Shinkansen in Japan.-History:The name Toki was first introduced on 10 June 1962 for limited express services operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Niigata on the Jōetsu Line...
325 service) derailed on the Jōetsu Shinkansen line while travelling at a speed of approximately 200 km/h between Nagaoka Station
Nagaoka Station
is a train station located in Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan.The station opened on June 16, 1898.- Lines :*East Japan Railway Company**Jōetsu Shinkansen**Shin'etsu Main Line**Jōetsu Line- Adjacent stations :-External links:*...
and Urasa Station
Urasa Station
is a train station located in Minamiuonuma, Niigata, Japan. It opened on September 1, 1923.- Adjacent stations :-External links:*...
on 23 October 2004 during the 2004 Chūetsu earthquake
2004 Chuetsu earthquake
The occurred at 5:56 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2004 . The Japan Meteorological Agency has named it the Heisei 16 Niigata Prefecture Chuetsu Earthquake or The Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake of 2004...
. Eight of the ten cars were derailed. This was the first derailment of a Shinkansen train in service. None of the 155 passengers on board was injured. Set K25 was officially withdrawn on 25 March 2005.
Preserved examples
- 221-1 and 237-1 (ex-set E1, later F30) at Sendai General Shinkansen Depot
- 215-1, 222-1, 226-1 (all ex-set E1, later F30), and 249-5 (ex-set H5) stored outdoors at Sendai General Shinkansen Depot, but all cut up in 2010
- 215-15, 221-15 and 237-15 (ex-set E15, later F37) next to Nagareyama-Onsen StationNagareyama-Onsen Stationis a train station in Nanae, Kameda District, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...
on Hakodate Main LineHakodate Main Lineis a railway line between the cities of Hakodate and Asahikawa in Hokkaido, Japan. It is one of the trunk lines operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company .... - 222-35 (ex-set K31) at The Railway Museum in Saitama, SaitamaSaitama, Saitama' is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture in Japan, situated in the south-east of the prefecture. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance...