M250 series
Encyclopedia
The M250 Series Super Rail Cargo is a freight electric multiple unit
(EMU) operated by JR Freight in Japan. It entered service in 2004 with the objective of reducing emissions and carrying general freight for small package forwarders (such as special delivery services). The M250 series is JR Freight's first container train with distributed traction. It is manufactured by Nippon Sharyo
, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
, and Toshiba
.
began operating one train as a reserved "Special high speed freight train" between Tokyo Freight Terminal and Ajikawaguchi Station
(Osaka) on the 13 March 2004, schedule revision. (The containers are owned by Sagawa Galaxy Highways.) Running with increasing frequency, it later became a regularly scheduled train (but with service suspended on Sundays and holidays).
The main formation is branded "Super Rail Cargo". It won the 2004 Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation Eco-Products award for Eco-Service and the 2005 Japan Railfan Club Blue Ribbon Award
(making it the first non-passenger vehicle to win since the JNR Class EF66
in 1969).
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
(EMU) operated by JR Freight in Japan. It entered service in 2004 with the objective of reducing emissions and carrying general freight for small package forwarders (such as special delivery services). The M250 series is JR Freight's first container train with distributed traction. It is manufactured by Nippon Sharyo
Nippon Sharyo
, , formed in 1896, is a major rolling stock manufacturer based in Nagoya, Japan. In 1996, it abbreviated its name to "日本車両" Nippon Sharyō. Its shortest abbreviation is Nissha "日車". It was a listed company on Nikkei 225 until 2004. It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Nagoya Stock Exchange...
, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
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....
, and Toshiba
Toshiba
is a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...
.
Overview
Sagawa ExpressSagawa Express
is a major transportation company in Japan. Its headquarters are in Minami-ku, Kyoto. It competes with Yamato Transport, Nippon Express and other major logistics companies. Its total sales for the year ending March 2005 were ¥728,000,000,000....
began operating one train as a reserved "Special high speed freight train" between Tokyo Freight Terminal and Ajikawaguchi Station
Ajikawaguchi Station
is a train station on the West Japan Railway Company Sakurajima Line in Konohana-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan.-Layout:The station has an island platform serving 2 tracks.-Adjacent stations:...
(Osaka) on the 13 March 2004, schedule revision. (The containers are owned by Sagawa Galaxy Highways.) Running with increasing frequency, it later became a regularly scheduled train (but with service suspended on Sundays and holidays).
The main formation is branded "Super Rail Cargo". It won the 2004 Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation Eco-Products award for Eco-Service and the 2005 Japan Railfan Club Blue Ribbon Award
Blue Ribbon Award (railway)
The is an award presented annually in Japan since 1958 by the Japan Railfan Club. It is awarded for railway vehicles that entered service in the previous year and voted by members as being the most outstanding design of the year.-Award winners:...
(making it the first non-passenger vehicle to win since the JNR Class EF66
JNR Class EF66
The EF66 is a 6-axle electric locomotive designed for fast freight used by Japanese National Railways and currently operated by its descendents JR West and JR Freight.-Background and history:...
in 1969).
See also
- CargoSprinterCargoSprinterThe CargoSprinter is a multiple unit freight car;it could also be thought of as a container truck that runs on rails.Built by the German company Windhoff, it is in effect a self-propelled flatcar for containers...
- a German freight diesel multiple unit