E3 Series Shinkansen
Encyclopedia
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 introduced for use on Yamagata Shinkansen
Tsubasa services. Both 'mini-shinkansen' lines join the Tōhoku Shinkansen
, providing services south to Tokyo.
Like the 400 Series Shinkansen
, these trains are built to a smaller loading gauge
than mainline Shinkansen trains—the width and length of each car is reduced to fit on the narrower clearances
of the 'mini-shinkansen'.
to Sendai Depot in March 1995 for extensive testing. It was modified to full-production specifications in March 1997 ahead of the start of Akita Shinkansen services.
The pre-production was formed as follows, with scissors-type pantographs on cars 12, 13, and 14.
(JR East) from the owning company, , a third-sector company jointly owned by JR East and Akita Prefecture
. This lease is scheduled to be terminated on 21 March 2010 with the dissolution of Akita Shinkansen Sharyō Hoyū.
Cars 12 and 15 are equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.
Tsubasa services.
Cars 12 and 14 are equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.
trains by summer 2009. The new trains incorporate design improvements, including active suspension, full-colour LED destination indicators, and AC power outlets in all cars. Seating capacity in cars 16 and 17 has been reduced by 4 (one row of seats) compared with the E3-1000 series to provide uniform seating pitch in all cars (seat pitch was previously reduced in non-reserved cars).
Cars 12 and 14 are equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.
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 built for Komachi services which commenced on 3 June 1997, coinciding with opening of the new 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...
'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:...
' line, a regular narrow-gauge line between Morioka
Morioka Station
Morioka Station is a railway station located in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Japan.-History:The station was opened on November 1, 1890, by Japan's first private railway company, Nippon Tetsudō.-Station layout:...
and Akita
Akita Station
is a railway station in Akita, Akita, Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company .-Platforms:- Limited express trains :* Komachi * Tsugaru * Inaho * Akebono * Nihonkai -Surrounding area:...
upgraded
Gauge conversion
In rail transport, gauge conversion is the process of converting a railway from one rail gauge to another, through the alteration of the railway tracks...
to . Later versions of the E3 series were also introduced for use on 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 services. Both 'mini-shinkansen' lines join 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...
, providing services south to Tokyo.
Like the 400 Series Shinkansen
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....
, these trains are built to a smaller loading gauge
Loading gauge
A loading gauge defines the maximum height and width for railway vehicles and their loads to ensure safe passage through bridges, tunnels and other structures...
than mainline Shinkansen trains—the width and length of each car is reduced to fit on the narrower clearances
Structure gauge
The structure gauge, also called the minimum clearance outline, is the minimum height and width of tunnels and bridges as well as the minimum height and width of the doors that allow a rail siding access into a warehouse...
of the 'mini-shinkansen'.
Pre-production set
A pre-production 5-car set, numbered S8, was delivered from Kawasaki Heavy IndustriesKawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
to Sendai Depot in March 1995 for extensive testing. It was modified to full-production specifications in March 1997 ahead of the start of Akita Shinkansen services.
The pre-production was formed as follows, with scissors-type pantographs on cars 12, 13, and 14.
| Car No. | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | M1sc | M2 | T | M1 | M2c |
| Numbering | E311-1 | E326-1 | E329-1 | E325-1 | E322-1 |
E3 series
The full-production trainsets built from 1996 for the Akita Shinkansen were 5-car sets, but sixth cars were added by the end of 1998. A total of 26 Akita Shinkansen sets were in service by the end of 2005. Sets R1 to R16 are leased by East Japan Railway CompanyEast 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) from the owning company, , a third-sector company jointly owned by JR East and Akita Prefecture
Akita Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region of northern Honshu, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Akita.- History :The area of Akita has been created from the ancient provinces of Dewa and Mutsu....
. This lease is scheduled to be terminated on 21 March 2010 with the dissolution of Akita Shinkansen Sharyō Hoyū.
Formation
| Car No. | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | M1sc | M2 | T | T | M1 | M2c |
| Numbering | E311 | E326 | E329 | E328 | E325 | E322 |
| Seating capacity | 23 | 67 | 60 | 68 | 64 | 56 |
Cars 12 and 15 are equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.
Build history
| Set number(s) | Date delivered | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | March 1995 | Pre-production set S8 (originally 5 cars with 3 pantographs) |
| R2 - R16 | October 1996 - February 1997 | Built as 5-car sets |
| R17 | September 1998 | 6-car sets from new |
| R18 | October 2002 | |
| R19 | November 2002 | |
| R20 | March 2003 | |
| R21 | September 2003 | |
| R22 | October 2003 | |
| R23 | December 2003 | |
| R24 | March 2005 | |
| R25 | July 2005 | |
| R26 | July 2005 |
E3-1000 series
Three sets classified E3-1000 (L51 - L53) are formed of seven cars. These are used interchangeably with 400 series sets on the Yamagata ShinkansenYamagata 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 services.
Formation
| Car No. | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | M1sc | M2 | T1 | M2 | T2 | M1 | M2c |
| Numbering | E311-1000 | E326-1000 | E329-1000 | E326-1100 | E328-1000 | E325-1000 | E322-1000 |
| Seating capacity | 23 | 67 | 60 | 68 | 64 | 64 | 56 |
Cars 12 and 14 are equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.
Build history
| Set number | Date delivered | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| L51 | 11 August 1999 | Tokyu Car Tokyu Car Corporation is a manufacturer of heavy rail cars in Japan. The company is based in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, Japan, and a member of Tokyu Group. Tokyu Car manufactures rail vehicles not only for Tokyu Corporation but for other Japanese operators, including various Japan Railways Group companies and... |
| L52 | 11 September 1999 | Kawasaki HI Kawasaki Heavy Industries is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa.... |
| L53 | 17 August 2005 | Tokyu Car |
E3-2000 series
The first of a fleet of twelve new E3-2000 series 7-car sets entered service on Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa services on 20 December 2008. The new fleet will totally replace the older 400 series400 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....
trains by summer 2009. The new trains incorporate design improvements, including active suspension, full-colour LED destination indicators, and AC power outlets in all cars. Seating capacity in cars 16 and 17 has been reduced by 4 (one row of seats) compared with the E3-1000 series to provide uniform seating pitch in all cars (seat pitch was previously reduced in non-reserved cars).
Formation
| Car No. | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | M1sc | M2 | T1 | M2 | T2 | M1 | M2c |
| Numbering | E311-2000 | E326-2000 | E329-2000 | E326-2100 | E328-2000 | E325-2000 | E322-2000 |
| Seating capacity | 23 | 67 | 60 | 68 | 64 | 60 | 52 |
Cars 12 and 14 are equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.
Build history
| Set number | Date delivered | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| L61 | 9 October 2008 | Kawasaki HI Kawasaki Heavy Industries is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa.... |
| L62 | 9 December 2008 | Kawasaki HI |
| L63 | 7 January 2009 | Kawasaki HI |
| L64 | 17 February 2009 | Kawasaki HI |
| L65 | 3 March 2009 | Kawasaki HI |
| L66 | 25 March 2009 | Kawasaki HI |
| L67 | 28 March 2009 | Tokyu Car Tokyu Car Corporation is a manufacturer of heavy rail cars in Japan. The company is based in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, Japan, and a member of Tokyu Group. Tokyu Car manufactures rail vehicles not only for Tokyu Corporation but for other Japanese operators, including various Japan Railways Group companies and... |
| L68 | 14 April 2009 | Kawasaki HI |
| L69 | 19 May 2009 | Kawasaki HI |
| L70 | 30 June 2009 | Kawasaki HI |
| L71 | 22 July 2009 | Kawasaki HI |
| L72 | 25 March 2010 | Kawasaki HI |