STAR21
Encyclopedia
"STAR21" was the name given to the 9-car experimental Shinkansen
train developed in 1992 by the East Japan Railway Company
(JR East) in Japan to test technology to be incorporated in next-generation shinkansen trains operating at speeds of 350 km/h (217 mph) or higher. The name was an acronym for "Superior Train for the Advanced Railway toward the 21st Century".
.
Three different construction methods were used for the vehicle bodies. Cars 1 to 3 used welded hollow aluminium extrusions, cars 4 to 5 used brazed aluminium honeycomb panels, and cars 6 to 9 used an aircraft-style Duralumin
fuselage construction.
The front-end design of the two driving vehicles (952-1 and 953-5) were slightly different, although both used a wedge-shaped profile with little lateral taper.
The external livery was light green for the Class 952 cars (including half of car 953-1), "snow" grey for cars 953-1 to 953-3, and beige for cars 953-3 to 953-5, with a light blue window band throughout the length of the train.
Internally, cars were fitted with passengers seats, arranged 2+2 abreast for standard class cars, and 2+1 abreast for the Green car (952-4). Five different types of lightweight seating design were tested.
Cars 1 to 3 were built by Nippon Sharyo
, cars 4 to 5 were built by Hitachi
, and cars 6 to 8 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries
.
Cars 3 and 7 were fitted with pantographs.
On 30 October 1992, the train recorded a Japanese national speed record of 353 km/h (219.3 mph) on the Jōetsu Shinkansen
between Urasa
and Niigata
, surpassing the record previously set by JR West's "WIN350
" experimental train in August of the same year. On 1 November 1992, the record was raised to 358 km/h (222.5 mph) between Tsubame-Sanjō
and Niigata.
In 1993, the train was modified with the addition of motors to all axles, increasing its overall rating to 4620 kW.
On 13 December 1993, the train reached 400 km/h (248.5 mph), and on 21 December recorded a Japanese national speed record of 425 km/h (264.1 mph) on the Jōetsu Shinkansen between Tsubame-Sanjō and Niigata. This record stood until it was broken by JR Central's "300X
" experimental train in July 1996.
The STAR21 trainset was officially withdrawn on 17 February 1998.
, first displayed to the public on 10 October 1998. Cars 953-1 and 953-5 are preserved at Sendai Shinkansen Depot.
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 developed in 1992 by the 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) in Japan to test technology to be incorporated in next-generation shinkansen trains operating at speeds of 350 km/h (217 mph) or higher. The name was an acronym for "Superior Train for the Advanced Railway toward the 21st Century".
Design
The train consisted of nine cars arranged in two distinct "halves", with the Class 952 half-set consisting of four separate vehicles, and the Class 953 half-set consisting of five articulated vehicles using shared bogiesJacobs bogie
Jacobs bogies are a type of rail vehicle bogie commonly found on articulated railcars and tramway vehicles....
.
Three different construction methods were used for the vehicle bodies. Cars 1 to 3 used welded hollow aluminium extrusions, cars 4 to 5 used brazed aluminium honeycomb panels, and cars 6 to 9 used an aircraft-style Duralumin
Duralumin
Duralumin is the trade name of one of the earliest types of age-hardenable aluminium alloys. The main alloying constituents are copper, manganese, and magnesium. A commonly used modern equivalent of this alloy type is AA2024, which contains 4.4% copper, 1.5% magnesium, 0.6% manganese and 93.5%...
fuselage construction.
The front-end design of the two driving vehicles (952-1 and 953-5) were slightly different, although both used a wedge-shaped profile with little lateral taper.
The external livery was light green for the Class 952 cars (including half of car 953-1), "snow" grey for cars 953-1 to 953-3, and beige for cars 953-3 to 953-5, with a light blue window band throughout the length of the train.
Internally, cars were fitted with passengers seats, arranged 2+2 abreast for standard class cars, and 2+1 abreast for the Green car (952-4). Five different types of lightweight seating design were tested.
Formation
The set, designated S5, was initially formed as follows with some cars unpowered.| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Tc | M | M' | Ts | T | M | M' | M | M'c |
| Numbering | 952-1 | 952-2 | 952-3 | 952-4 | 953-1 | 953-2 | 953-3 | 953-4 | 953-5 |
| Seating capacity | 56 | 63 | 72 | 34 | 56 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 46 |
| Weight (t) | 30.0 | 29.9 | 33.2 | 25.5 | 19.4 | 20.7 | 21.4 | 20.4 | 27.0 |
| Vehicle length (mm) | 26,250 | 25,000 | 25,000 | 25,000 | 22,250 | 18,500 | 18,500 | 18,500 | 25,500 |
Cars 1 to 3 were built 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...
, cars 4 to 5 were built by Hitachi
Hitachi
Hitachi is a multinational corporation specializing in high-technology.Hitachi may also refer to:*Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan*Hitachi province, former province of Japan*Prince Hitachi and Princess Hitachi, members of the Japanese imperial family...
, and cars 6 to 8 were built by 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....
.
Cars 3 and 7 were fitted with pantographs.
History
The train was delivered in March 1992, and unveiled to the press on 2 April.On 30 October 1992, the train recorded a Japanese national speed record of 353 km/h (219.3 mph) on the 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...
between Urasa
Urasa Station
is a train station located in Minamiuonuma, Niigata, Japan. It opened on September 1, 1923.- Adjacent stations :-External links:*...
and Niigata
Niigata Station
is a train station operated by East Japan Railway Company in Chūō-ku, Niigata, Japan. It opened on May 3, 1904.The station is at the centre of Niigata city, the largest city on the Sea of Japan coast in Honshū...
, surpassing the record previously set by JR West's "WIN350
WIN350
"WIN350" was the name given to the 6-car experimental Shinkansen train developed in 1992 by the West Japan Railway Company in Japan to test technology to be incorporated in next-generation shinkansen trains expected to operate at speeds of from 1994...
" experimental train in August of the same year. On 1 November 1992, the record was raised to 358 km/h (222.5 mph) between Tsubame-Sanjō
Tsubame-Sanjo Station
is a train station located in Sanjō, Niigata, Japan.The station opened on November 15, 1982.- Adjacent stations :-External links:*...
and Niigata.
In 1993, the train was modified with the addition of motors to all axles, increasing its overall rating to 4620 kW.
On 13 December 1993, the train reached 400 km/h (248.5 mph), and on 21 December recorded a Japanese national speed record of 425 km/h (264.1 mph) on the Jōetsu Shinkansen between Tsubame-Sanjō and Niigata. This record stood until it was broken by JR Central's "300X
300X
"300X" was the name given to the 6-car experimental Shinkansen train developed in 1994 by the Central Japan Railway Company in Japan to test technology to be incorporated in future shinkansen trains operating at speeds of or higher.-Design:...
" experimental train in July 1996.
The STAR21 trainset was officially withdrawn on 17 February 1998.
Preservation
End car 952-1 is preserved outdoors at the RTRI large-scale wind tunnel test facility in Maibara, ShigaMaibara, Shiga
is a city located in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.As of August 1, 2006, the city has an estimated population of 42,154. The total area is 223.1 km².- History :...
, first displayed to the public on 10 October 1998. Cars 953-1 and 953-5 are preserved at Sendai Shinkansen Depot.