0 Series Shinkansen

0 series
0 series 6-car set at Higashi-Hiroshima Station, April 2008
In service	1 October 1964–14 December 2008
Manufacturer	Nippon Sharyo, Kawasaki Sharyo, Kinki Sharyo, Kisha, Hitachi Ltd., Tokyu Car Corporation
Constructed	1963–1986
Number built	3,216 vehicles
Formation	4, 6, 8, 12 or 16 cars per trainset
Capacity	368–1,340[1]
Operator	JNR (1964–1987) JR Central (1987–1999) JR West (1987–2008)
Depot(s)	Tokyo, Shin-Osaka, Hakata
Line(s) served	Tōkaidō Shinkansen, Sanyō Shinkansen, Hakata-Minami Line
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Car length	25,000 mm (intermediate cars), 25,150 mm (end cars)
Width	3,383 mm
Height	4,490 mm
Maximum speed	210 km/h (1964–1986) 220 km/h (1986–2008)
Acceleration	1.0 km/h/s (1964–1992) 1.2 km/h/s (1992–2008)
Deceleration	2.84 km/h/s
Electric system(s)	25 kV AC, 60 Hz overhead
Safety system(s)	ATC
Gauge	1,435 mm

The 0 series (0系^?) trains were the first Shinkansen trainsets built to run on Japan's new Tōkaidō Shinkansen high-speed line which opened in 1964.^[2] The last remaining trainsets were withdrawn in 2008.

History

The 0 series (which were not originally classified, as there was no need to distinguish classes of trainset until later) entered service with the start of Tōkaidō Shinkansen operations in October 1964. These units were white with a blue stripe along the windows and another at the bottom of the car body, including the front pilot.

Unlike previous Japanese trains, the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and all subsequent Shinkansen lines were standard gauge (1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) between the rails). The trains were powered by 25 kV AC electricity at 60 Hz with all axles of all cars powered by 185 kW traction motors, giving a 220 kilometres per hour (140 mph) top speed.

The original trains were 12-car sets; some subsequent sets were 16 cars. Later, shorter trains of 6 cars and even 4 cars were assembled for lesser duties. Production of 0 series units continued from 1963 until 1986.

Shinkansen sets are generally retired after fifteen to twenty years. The final remaining 0 series sets were 6-car sets used on JR West Kodama services on the Sanyō Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hakata, and on the Hakata-Minami Line until their retirement on 30 November 2008.

Following retirement from regular service, JR West ran a number of special commemorative Hikari runs in December 2008.^[3] Hikari 347, powered by set R61,^[4] arrived at Hakata Station at 6:01 p.m. on 14 December 2008, bringing to an end the 44 years of service of the 0 series trains.

Set formations

16-car set N_H31, 1987

16-car N_H sets

The 16-car N_H sets were the units originally built for Hikari services on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and subsequently the Sanyo Shinkansen lines. The introduction of 100 series and later 300 series trains reduced the number of 0 series trains used on Hikari services, with 0 series Hikari services operated by JR Central ending in 1995. A small fleet was subsequently maintained by JR West for use on additional holiday period Hikari services, with the last remaining unit, N_H32, being disbanded in December 1999.

The N_H sets had two Green cars and a restaurant car in addition to a buffet car, although use of the restaurant cars was discontinued from the mid 1990s.

16-car set Y_K8 on Tōkaidō Shinkansen Kodama service with "Arigatō 0 Series" sticker on final day of services, 19 September 1999

16-car Y_K sets

The 16-car Y_K sets were the units originally built for the all-stations Kodama services. These sets had upgraded reserved seat cars with 2+2 seating employing 100 series style seats, but only one Green car per 16-car set. Standard seating was 3+2 in standard class, and 2+2 in Green cars.

The fleet was operated by JR Central to provide all-stations Kodama services on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen until the last units were withdrawn on 18 September 1999. In the last two months of service, they ran with "Arigatō 0 Series" stickers on the front ends.

12-car S_K sets

These 12-car S_K sets were operated by JR West on Sanyō Shinkansen West Hikari services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. Sets were formed of upgraded 5000 and 7000 subseries vehicles with improved seating, and buffet cars were refurbished with a special seating area. All standard class cars had upgraded 2+2 seating. The sets were recognizable externally by the addition of an extra thin blue line below the windows (similar to 100 series) and by the large "West" decals near the doors. Some sets originally included specially converted cinema cars, but these were withdrawn in 1996. Following the end of the West Hikari services on 21 April 2000, the remaining S_K units were reformed into new 6-car R60 sets to replace unrefurbished sets on Sanyo Shinkansen Kodama services.

Set Q4 at Hakata on a Sanyō Shinkansen Kodama service, July 1998

4-car Q sets

4-car Q sets were formed from March 1997 for use on Kodama shuttle services running between Hakata and Kokura/Hiroshima, and also for use on some Hakata Minami Line duties. These sets had no Green car. The last remaining unit was withdrawn in 2001.

Set R61 in new JR West "Kodama" livery at Higashi-Hiroshima Station on a Sanyō Shinkansen Kodama service, July 2003

6-car R sets

The 6-car R units with no Green car were first formed in June 1985, and were used on JR West Kodama services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. They were also used to operate services on the short Hakata Minami Line from Hakata Station.

The no. 3 cars of sets R2 and R24 were rebuilt as "Children's Saloons" with the former buffet counter area converted into a children's soft play area. These sets ran branded as "Family Hikari" during holiday periods. From March 1997 a refurbishment programme was commenced on the R sets, with new internal trim, rotating seats and new toilets/washing facilities. The refurbished units were recognisable externally by an extra thin blue line below the windows (as with West Hikari S_K sets), and new "W" decals near the doors.

From April 2000, 6-car "WR" sets were created from former S_K unit cars and renumbered in the R60 series. These retained the larger buffet area (disused) and 2+2 seating of the former West Hikari trains, and gradually replaced the remaining unrefurbished R sets. These units initially retained their "West Hikari" branding, but were gradually repainted into the new JR West "Kodama" livery from May 2002. Initially scheduled to be withdrawn in 2006, the last three remaining sets (R61/R67/R68) remained in service until 30 November 2008. By June 2008 they had been repainted into their original ivory and blue livery with silver roofs.

Preserved examples

A large number of former 0 series vehicles are preserved or stored in museums and various other locations around Japan. Outside Japan, the leading vehicle from a 0 series set is preserved at the National Railway Museum in York, UK. It was donated to the museum by JR West in 2001.^[5]

22-86 at Hamamatsu Works, July 2006

22-141 on display at the National Railway Museum in York, UK, August 2007

21-5035 used as structure gauging car in Taiwan, August 2008

See also

• Media related to 0 series at Wikimedia Commons

References

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