E6 Series Shinkansen

E6 series

Set S12 on a test run, November 2011
In service March 2013–
Manufacturer Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Replaced E3 series
Constructed 2010–
Number built 7 vehicles (1 set)
Number in service 0
Formation 7 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers S12
Capacity 338 (315 Standard + 23 Green)
Operator JR East
Line(s) served Tōhoku Shinkansen, Akita Shinkansen
Specifications
Car body construction Aluminium alloy
Car length 23,075 mm (75 ft 8.5 in)
(end cars),
20,500 mm (67 ft 3 in)
(intermediate cars)
Width 2,945 mm (9 ft 7.9 in)
Doors One per side
Maximum speed 320 km/h (200 mph)
(Tōhoku Shinkansen)
130 km/h (81 mph)
(Akita Shinkansen)
Acceleration 1.71 km/h/s (shinkansen)
2.0 km/h/s (conventional)
Electric system(s) 25 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead catenary (Tōhoku Shinkansen)
20 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead catenary (Akita Shinkansen)
Current collection method Pantograph
Bogies DT210 (motored), TR7009 (trailer)
Safety system(s) DS-ATC, RS-ATC, ATS-P
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)

The E6 series (E6系?) is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type on order by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) for use on Komachi 'mini-shinkansen' services on the Tōhoku Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen from Tokyo to Akita commencing in March 2013. The new 7-car trains will operate in conjunction with newly introduced E5 series trains, initially on just two or three return services daily. They will replace all the existing E3 series trains on Komachi services by March 2014.[1]

Technology incorporated in these trains is derived from the experimental Fastech 360Z train previously tested by JR East. The E6 series trains are formed of seven cars, to provide the same seating capacity as six-car E3 series trains, due to the reduced seating capacity in the end cars. All cars feature active suspension with tilting up to 1.5 degrees.[2]

Contents

Formation

The pre-production train, S12, is formed as follows, with car 11 at the Tokyo end and car 17 at the Akita end.[3]

Car No. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Designation M1sc Tk M1 M1 M1 T M1c
Numbering E611 E628 E625 E625-100 E627 E629 E621
Weight (t) 45.7 44.4 42.5 43.1 42.5 44.5 43.8
Seating capacity 23 35 60 60 68 60 32

Cars 11 to 14 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and cars 15 to 17 were built by Hitachi.[4]

Exterior

The overall styling was overseen by Japanese industrial designer Ken Okuyama, and is intended to evoke images of the Namahage demons and kantō festival lanterns for which Akita Prefecture is famous.[5] The main body colour is "Hiun" (飛雲?) white with crimson roof and "arrow silver" bodyside stripe. The end cars are 23,075 mm (75 ft 8.5 in) long with the tapered nose accounting for approximately 13 m (compared with approximately 6 m for the E3 series).[2]

Interior

The new trains feature similar improvements to passenger accommodation as featured on the E5 series trains, including AC power outlets, and security cameras in vestibule areas. Seating in both Standard class and Green (first class) cars is in the standard 2+2 arrangement for mini-shinkansen trains.[1] Seat pitch is 1,160 mm (46 in) in Green class and 980 mm (39 in) in Standard class, the same as for the E3 series trains.[2]

History

The pre-production set, S12, was delivered to Sendai Depot in June 2010.[6] Test running commenced on the Tōhoku Shinkansen in July 2010.[7]

Revenue service is scheduled to commence in March 2013, running at a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) on the Tōhoku Shinkansen.[2] From March 2014, the maximum speed will be raised to 320 km/h (199 mph) on the Tōhoku Shinkansen, with the maximum speed on the Akita Shinkansen tracks remaining at 130 km/h (81 mph), allowing journey times between Tokyo and Akita to be reduced by between 10 and 15 minutes.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "JR東日本の新幹線 13年3月メドに「E6系」導入 [JR East to introduce E6 series shinkansen from March 2013]" (in Japanese). Yomiuri Online. The Yomiuri Shimbun. 18 June 2009. Archived from the original on 24 June 2009. http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20090624012945/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/akita/news/20090617-OYT8T00978.htm?. Retrieved 15 March 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d "新型高速新幹線(E6 系)量産先行車について [E6 series pre-production train details]" (in Japanese) (PDF). JR East. 2 February 2010. http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2009/20100203.pdf. Retrieved 2 February 2010. 
  3. ^ "JR東日本 E6系新幹線電車(量産先行車) [JR East E6 series shinkansen pre-production train]". Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun) 39 (317): p.64–65. September 2010. 
  4. ^ 新幹線電車データブック2011 [Shinkansen Databook 2011]. Japan: JRR. March 2011. p. 93. ISBN 978-4-330-19811-8. 
  5. ^ 47 News: "「こまち」の新型車両発表 13年に秋田新幹線に導入" (2 February 2010). Retrieved 2 February 2010. (Japanese)
  6. ^ "「あかね色」車体を初披露 秋田新幹線の新型車両 [Crimson Exterior of New Akita Shinkansen Trains Unveiled]" (in Japanese). Press Net Japan. 8 June 2010. http://www.47news.jp/CN/201006/CN2010060801000284.html. Retrieved 8 June 2010. 
  7. ^ "E6系量産先行車S12編成が試運転を実施 [E6 series pre-production train S12 commences test running]" (in Japanese). Japan Railfan Magazine Online. Koyusha Co., Ltd.. 8 July 2010. http://railf.jp/news/2010/07/08/090000.html. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 

External links