300 Series Shinkansen
Encyclopedia
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen
train type introduced in 1992 on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen
lines, initially for use on the fastest Nozomi services, being capable of 270 km/h (167.8 mph). As more were delivered (66 trains by 1998) they replaced earlier units on Hikari service and allowed the thus displaced 100 series
units to finally in turn displace 0 series
units on almost all services.
With the introduction of newer 700 series
and N700 series
equipment, the 300 series sets were gradually demoted to slower Hikari and Kodama services, and are scheduled to be completely withdrawn from Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen services by spring 2012.
. They are painted brilliant white with a medium-thick blue stripe beneath the windows.
They are only formed as sixteen-car sets and have no restaurant cars, though they did originally feature two refreshment counters (later removed).
Technically, they are notable for being the first Shinkansen sets to employ three-phase AC
traction motor
s instead of direct current units, as well as new bolsterless bogies to reduce weight.
The 300 series was awarded the Laurel Prize
in May 1993.
(JR Central). These sets were delivered between February 1992 and October 1998.
In December 1998, set J59 was fitted experimentally with new 700 series
style single-arm pantographs and fairings to reduce noise and air resistance. Following testing, JR Central subsequently fitted new pantographs to all of its sets, with modifications completed by late 2002.
In October 2004, JR Central announced plans for ride improvement modifications to its 300 series fleet involving the addition of semi-active vibration control units to seven cars out of the total of sixteen in each set (end cars 1 and 16, pantograph cars 6 and 12, and Green cars 8 to 10), and also new non-linear air suspension on all cars in each set. The new secondary suspension offers firmer support against lateral movement. The entire fleet operated by JR Central received the modifications by February 2007.
With the entry into service of new N700 series
trains, withdrawals of production 300 series sets began in July 2007 with the withdrawal of set J14.
The entire fleet of JR Central 300 series sets is scheduled to be withdrawn by the end of March 2012.
Cars 6 and 12 each have one single-arm pantograph.
(JR West).
These sets were delivered between December 1992 and September 1993.
Withdrawals of the JR West F sets began in July 2011 with the withdrawal of set F5. The last remaining sets are scheduled to be withdrawn by spring 2012 and replaced by nine 700 series
"C" sets transferred from JR Central.
Cars 6 and 12 each have one single-arm pantograph.
and Kyoto
, a Japanese national speed record at the time.
The set was modified to production standards in March 1993, becoming set "J1", but it differed from the production units in a number of ways. Visually, the driving cab had a different windscreen design, different headlight arrangement, and flared side panels over the front bogies. The prototype set was initially fitted with five pantographs, but this was later reduced to two in line with modifications to the production fleet. Limited water tank capacity meant that the unit was not capable of running return trips from Tokyo to Hakata, and was normally restricted to Tokyo to Osaka/Okayama/Hiroshima workings.
From 2001 onwards, this unit was converted for use as a JR Central test train for testing new digital ATC equipment on the Tokaido Shinkansen. It was finally withdrawn in March 2007. All cars except one end car, 322-9001 were cut up.
Source:
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...
train type introduced in 1992 on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen
Sanyō Shinkansen
The is a line of the Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail network, connecting Shin-Ōsaka in Osaka with Hakata Station in Fukuoka, the two largest cities in western Japan...
lines, initially for use on the fastest Nozomi services, being capable of 270 km/h (167.8 mph). As more were delivered (66 trains by 1998) they replaced earlier units on Hikari service and allowed the thus displaced 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...
units to finally in turn displace 0 series
0 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:...
units on almost all services.
With the introduction of newer 700 series
700 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built between 1997 and 2006, and entering service in 1999. Originally designated as "N300", they formed the next generation of shinkansen vehicles jointly designed by JR Central and JR West for use on both Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen...
and N700 series
N700 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train with tilting capability developed jointly by JR Central and JR West for use on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen lines, and also operated by JR Kyushu on the Kyushu Shinkansen line....
equipment, the 300 series sets were gradually demoted to slower Hikari and Kodama services, and are scheduled to be completely withdrawn from Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen services by spring 2012.
Design
The front-end styling of these units consists of a 'curved wedge', replacing the aircraft-style nosecones of previous Shinkansen trains. The furthest forward point is the very bottom of the pilotPilot (locomotive)
In railroading, the pilot is the device mounted at the front of a locomotive to deflect obstacles from the track that might otherwise derail the train. In some countries it is also called cowcatcher or cattle catcher....
. They are painted brilliant white with a medium-thick blue stripe beneath the windows.
They are only formed as sixteen-car sets and have no restaurant cars, though they did originally feature two refreshment counters (later removed).
Technically, they are notable for being the first Shinkansen sets to employ three-phase AC
Three-phase electric power
Three-phase electric power is a common method of alternating-current electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. It is a type of polyphase system and is the most common method used by grids worldwide to transfer power. It is also used to power large motors and other heavy loads...
traction motor
Traction motor
Traction motor refers to an electric motor providing the primary rotational torque of a machine, usually for conversion into linear motion ....
s instead of direct current units, as well as new bolsterless bogies to reduce weight.
The 300 series was awarded the 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....
in May 1993.
JR Central J sets
60 16-car sets (excluding pre-production set J1) operated by Central Japan Railway CompanyCentral Japan Railway Company
The is the main railway company operating in the Chūbu region of central Japan. It is officially abbreviated in English as JR Central and in Japanese as . Its headquarters are located in the JR Central Towers in Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.The company's operational hub is Nagoya Station...
(JR Central). These sets were delivered between February 1992 and October 1998.
In December 1998, set J59 was fitted experimentally with new 700 series
700 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built between 1997 and 2006, and entering service in 1999. Originally designated as "N300", they formed the next generation of shinkansen vehicles jointly designed by JR Central and JR West for use on both Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen...
style single-arm pantographs and fairings to reduce noise and air resistance. Following testing, JR Central subsequently fitted new pantographs to all of its sets, with modifications completed by late 2002.
In October 2004, JR Central announced plans for ride improvement modifications to its 300 series fleet involving the addition of semi-active vibration control units to seven cars out of the total of sixteen in each set (end cars 1 and 16, pantograph cars 6 and 12, and Green cars 8 to 10), and also new non-linear air suspension on all cars in each set. The new secondary suspension offers firmer support against lateral movement. The entire fleet operated by JR Central received the modifications by February 2007.
With the entry into service of new N700 series
N700 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train with tilting capability developed jointly by JR Central and JR West for use on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen lines, and also operated by JR Kyushu on the Kyushu Shinkansen line....
trains, withdrawals of production 300 series sets began in July 2007 with the withdrawal of set J14.
The entire fleet of JR Central 300 series sets is scheduled to be withdrawn by the end of March 2012.
Formation
The 16-car J sets are formed as follows.| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Tc | M1 | Tpw | M2 | M1w | Tp | M2k | M1s | Tps | M2s | M1h | Tp | M2w | M1 | Tpws | M2c |
| Numbering | 323 | 325 | 329 | 326 | 325-500 | 328 | 326-400 | 315 | 316 | 319 | 325-700 | 328 | 326-500 | 325 | 329-500 | 322 |
| Seating capacity | 65 | 100 | 85 | 100 | 90 | 100 | 75 | 68 | 64 | 68 | 63 | 100 | 90 | 100 | 80 | 75 |
Cars 6 and 12 each have one single-arm pantograph.
JR West 300-3000 series F sets
Nine 16-car sets operated by West Japan Railway CompanyWest 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).
These sets were delivered between December 1992 and September 1993.
Withdrawals of the JR West F sets began in July 2011 with the withdrawal of set F5. The last remaining sets are scheduled to be withdrawn by spring 2012 and replaced by nine 700 series
700 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built between 1997 and 2006, and entering service in 1999. Originally designated as "N300", they formed the next generation of shinkansen vehicles jointly designed by JR Central and JR West for use on both Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen...
"C" sets transferred from JR Central.
Formation
The 16-car F sets are formed as follows.| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Tc | M1 | Tpw | M2 | M1w | Tp | M2k | M1s | Tps | M2s | M1h | Tp | M2w | M1 | Tpws | M2c |
| Numbering | 323-3000 | 325-3000 | 329-3000 | 326-3000 | 325-3500 | 328-3000 | 326-3400 | 315-3000 | 316-3000 | 319-3000 | 325-3700 | 328-3000 | 326-3500 | 325-3000 | 329-3500 | 322-3000 |
| Seating capacity | 65 | 100 | 85 | 100 | 90 | 100 | 75 | 68 | 64 | 68 | 63 | 100 | 90 | 100 | 80 | 75 |
Cars 6 and 12 each have one single-arm pantograph.
Pre-production 300-9000 series set
The pre-production unit, J0, numbered in the 300-9000 series, was delivered on 8 March 1990, and underwent extensive testing and endurance running before the start of the new Nozomi services in March 1992. In the early hours of 1 March 1991, this set recorded a speed of 325.7 km/h on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen between MaibaraMaibara Station
is a train station in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is the southern terminus of the West Japan Railway Company Hokuriku Main Line, and the boundary of control between JR West and JR Central over the Tōkaidō Main Line....
and Kyoto
Kyoto Station
is the most important transportation hub in Kyoto, Japan. It has Japan's second-largest train station building and is one of the country's largest buildings, incorporating a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities under one 15-story roof...
, a Japanese national speed record at the time.
The set was modified to production standards in March 1993, becoming set "J1", but it differed from the production units in a number of ways. Visually, the driving cab had a different windscreen design, different headlight arrangement, and flared side panels over the front bogies. The prototype set was initially fitted with five pantographs, but this was later reduced to two in line with modifications to the production fleet. Limited water tank capacity meant that the unit was not capable of running return trips from Tokyo to Hakata, and was normally restricted to Tokyo to Osaka/Okayama/Hiroshima workings.
From 2001 onwards, this unit was converted for use as a JR Central test train for testing new digital ATC equipment on the Tokaido Shinkansen. It was finally withdrawn in March 2007. All cars except one end car, 322-9001 were cut up.
History
- January 1988: Development project commences.
- 8 March 1990: Pre-production 300-9000 series set (J0) is delivered.
- April 1990: Test running starts.
- October 1990: Speed of 303.1 km/h is recorded during test running.
- 1 March 1991: Speed of 325.7 km/h is recorded during test running.
- July 1991: Endurance test running starts. (Continues until March 1992.)
- February 1992: First production set (J2) is delivered.
- March 1992: Entry into service on Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi services running at a maximum speed of 270 km/h.
- June 1992: 300-9000 series set is tested on Sanyo Shinkansen.
- December 1992: First JR West 300-3000 series (F) set is delivered.
- March 1993: Hourly through Nozomi services are introduced between Tokyo and Hakata.
- 10 March 1993: Pre-production set J0 is modified to full-production standard and renumbered J1.
- May 1993: Awarded the Laurel PrizeLaurel PrizeThe 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....
in May 1993. - April 1994: Sets from J16 onward delivered with regular sliding doors in place of earlier plug doorPlug doorA plug door is a door designed to seal itself by taking advantage of pressure difference on its two sides and is typically used on pressurised aircraft...
s. - August 1995: Sets from J30 onward delivered with two pantographs in place of the earlier three. Modifications started on earlier sets to reduce number of pantographs to two.
- March 1996: Maximum speed of Hikari services is raised to 270 km/h.
- October 1998: 300 series production ends.
- September 1999: Modifications started (from set J9) to convert pantographs to single-arm type with shrouds resembling 700 series design.
- December 2001: 300 series removed from regularly scheduled Nozomi services.
- July 2007: First 300 series set (J14) is withdrawn from service.
- July 2011: First JR West F set (F5) is withdrawn from service.
Source:
Preserved examples
- 322-9001 (ex-prototype set J1, built 1990 by Hitachi) at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya, since March 2011.
- 323-20 (ex-set J21, built 1993 by Nippon Sharyo) at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya, since March 2011.