8600 series

8600 series

Set E12, June 2014
In service 23 June 2014
Manufacturer Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Built at Kobe
Replaced 2000 series
Number under construction 10 vehicles (4 sets)
Number built 4 vehicles (2 sets)
Number in service 4 vehicles (2 sets)
Formation 2/3 cars per set
Fleet numbers E12–
Capacity 101
Operator JR Shikoku
Depot(s) Takamatsu Depot
Line(s) served Yosan Line
Specifications
Car body construction Stainless steel
Car length 20,800 mm (68 ft 3 in)
Width 2,834 mm (9 ft 3.6 in)
Height 3,560 mm (11 ft 8 in)
Floor height 1,105 mm (3 ft 7.5 in)
Doors 2 per side
Maximum speed 130 km/h (80 mph) (service)
140 km/h (85 mph) (design)
Power output 220 kW x 4 per 2-car set
Electric system(s) 1,500 V DC
Current collection method Overhead catenary
Bogies S-DT66 (motored), S-TR66 (trailer)
Track gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 8600 series (8600系) is a tilting limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku) in Shikoku, Japan, on Ishizuchi limited express services between Takamatsu and Matsuyama since June 2014, replacing ageing 2000 series diesel multiple unit trains.[1] A total of 14 vehicles are scheduled to be delivered by March 2016, replacing all diesel units on the route.[2]

Design

The trains are built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries to a "retro-future" concept, with black front ends intended to evoke images of a steam locomotive.[3] The exterior livery includes orange and green highlights evoking the satsuma oranges and olives for which the region is famous.[2] Each vehicle is built at a cost of approximately 250 million yen, financed partially by national infrastructure investment subsidies.[2] The trains will operate at a maximum speed of 130 km/h (80 mph) in service, although they have a maximum design capability of 140 km/h (85 mph).[3] Tilting capability enables the trains to negotiate curves with a radius of 600 m or more at a speed 30 km/h (20 mph) higher than the limit for conventional non-tilting trains.[3]

Formations

The first two, pre-series, trainsets delivered are two-car sets with one motored "M" car and one trailer "T" car, as shown below.[3] Full-production sets to be delivered by March 2016 will include two three-car sets with "Green" car (first class) accommodation.[3]

Designation Mc Tc
Numbering 8600 8750
Weight (t) 41.6 38.3
Capacity 56 45
Facilities Vending machine, toilets Wheelchair space, toilets

The "Tc" car is fitted with a pantograph.[3]

Interior

Passenger accommodation consists of monoclass 2+2 abreast reclining seating with a seat pitch of 980 mm (39 in).[3] Each seat is provided with an AC power outlet.[3] The "Mc" car has a "Fresh Green" theme with light-green and dark-green seat covers; the "Tc" car has a "Shine Orange" theme, with orange and brown seat covers.[3] The "Tc" car has a wider (900 mm) door for wheelchair accessibility, and includes a wheelchair space and universal access toilet. LED lighting is used throughout.[3]

History

The first two sets, E11 and E12, being delivered in February 2014

The first two sets were delivered to Takamatsu Depot from the Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe in February 2014.[4] Test running commenced in March.[5] The trains entered service on Ishizuchi limited express services between Takamatsu and Matsuyama on 23 June 2014.[6]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to JR Shikoku 8600.
  1. ↑ 特急形直流電車の新製について [New DC limited express trains to be built]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: Shikoku Railway Company. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 ＪＲ四国、21年ぶり電車新造　14年６月に高松―松山間 [JR Shikoku to build new trains for first time in 21 years - In service between Takamatsu and Matsuyama from June 2014]. Nikkei Shimbun (in Japanese). Japan: Nikkei Inc. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 8600系量産先行車 [8600 series pre-series trainsets]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese) (Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd.) 54 (637): p.57-61. May 2014.
  4. ↑ 新型特急車輌8600系甲種輸送される [New 8600 series limited express trains delivered]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Ltd. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  5. ↑ "JR四国8600系の試運転が始まる" [JR Shikoku 8600 series test running starts]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "JR四国8600系が営業運転を開始" [JR Shikoku 8600 series enters revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.

Further reading