E2 Series Shinkansen Explained

E2 series
Service: – present
Manufacturer:
Yearconstruction:1995 - 2005, 2010
Yearservice:22 March 1997
Refurbishment:2002 (E2-0 series J sets)
Yearscrapped:2013-
Successor:
Numberbuilt:502 vehicles (53 sets)
Numberservice:130 vehicles (13 sets)
Numberpreserved:2 vehicles
Numberscrapped:352 vehicles (37 sets)
Formation:8/10 cars per trainset
Fleetnumbers:J1-15, 51-75, N1-13, 21
Capacity:10-car J sets: 815 (51 Green + 764 Standard)
8-car N sets: 630 (51 Green + 579 Standard)
Operator:JR East
Depots:Sendai, Nagano (formerly), Niigata(formerly)
Lines:Tohoku Shinkansen,Hokuriku Shinkansen,Joetsu Shinkansen
Carbody:Aluminium
Carlength:25.7m (84.3feet) (end cars)
25m (82feet) (intermediate cars)
Width:3.38m (11.09feet)
Doors:2 per side
Maxspeed:275km/h (Tohoku Shinkansen)
260km/h (Hokuriku Shinkansen)
(Joetsu Shinkansen)
Traction:(AC) MT205 (24 x 300kW per 8-car train, 32 x 300kW per 10-car train)
Poweroutput:7.2MW (for 8-car train), 9.6MW (for 10-car train)
Electricsystem:25 kV AC, 50/60 Hz overhead catenary
Collectionmethod:Pantograph
Safety:ATC-2, DS-ATC
Multipleworking:E3 series

The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on the Tohoku Shinkansen high-speed lines in Japan since 1997. They are formed in 8- and 10-car sets. The 8-car sets were used on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and the 10-car sets are on Tohoku Shinkansen services. The 10-car sets can be coupled to E3 series sets using couplers hidden behind retracting nose doors.

They operate at a maximum speed of 275km/h on the Tohoku Shinkansen.

A total of 502 vehicles (14 8-car "N" sets and 39 10-car "J" sets) were built between 1997 and 2010,[1] with the first withdrawals commencing in late 2013.[2]

Operations

Tohoku Shinkansen

Past operations

Tohoku Shinkansen

Joetsu Shinkansen

Variants

8-car "N" sets

The fleet of thirteen "N" sets was constructed for the new Asama services on the newly constructed Nagano Shinkansen (present-day Hokuriku Shinkansen) to Nagano from 1 October 1997, and are classified simply "E2 series". Units N2 onwards were delivered from March 1997 to September 1997. These sets are compatible with both the 50 Hz supply used by JR East and the 60 Hz supply used west of Karuizawa on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and are limited to a maximum speed of 260km/h. Tohoku Shinkansen set J1 was transferred to Nagano depot in October 2002 and renumbered as set N21.

The fleet of "N" sets underwent a programme of life-extension refurbishment from fiscal 2013.[4]

Withdrawals of E2 series "N" sets commenced in April 2014, with the withdrawal of sets N4 and N12. The remaining E2 series sets were removed from regularly scheduled Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama services from 25 December 2015, with the last E2 series Asama run taking place on 31 March 2017.

Formation

Car No.12345678
DesignationT1cM2M1M2M1kM2M1sT2c
NumberingE223E226-100E225E226-200E225-400E226-300E215E224
Seating capacity5510085100751005164

Cars 4 and 6 are equipped with PS205 scissors-type pantographs.[1]

Fleet list

, the fleet was as follows:[5]

Set numberManufacturerDate delivered[6] Date withdrawnRemarks
N1 6 June 19959 July 2014[7] Pre-series set S6
N2Kawasaki HI25 March 19971 September 2014 
N3Hitachi16 April 19971 December 2014[8]  
N4Kawasaki HI25 April 199723 April 2014 
N5Nippon Sharyo14 May 19971 June 2017 
N6Hitachi29 May 199717 June 2014 
N7Nippon Sharyo13 June 199725 January 2016 
N8Kawasaki HI27 June 199726 May 2014 
N9Hitachi11 July 199726 September 2014 
N10Nippon Sharyo25 July 199717 February 2016[9]  
N11Hitachi8 August 19971 August 2014 
N12Tokyu Car25 August 19972 April 2014 
N13Kawasaki HI5 September 199711 May 2017 
N21-14 April 19956 January 2015Pre-series set S7, later J1

E2' series 10-car "J" sets

The initial fleet of six "J" sets was constructed as eight-car trains for the start of the new Akita shinkansen services starting in March 1997, and ran in conjunction with E3 series Akita Shinkansen units on Tōhoku Shinkansen Yamabiko/Komachi services between Tokyo and Morioka. These sets are classified E2', and are equipped with retractable nose-end couplers at the Morioka end. Units J2 onwards were delivered from December 1996 to March 1997.

As with the Nagano Shinkansen N units, these sets are also compatible with both 50 Hz and 60 Hz (25 kV) power supplies, and were also used on Nagano Shinkansen Asama services before they were lengthened to ten cars. A further four J sets were delivered in October/November 1998 to augment the fleet to coincide with the introduction E2 series stock on four return Asahi services between Tokyo and Niigata on the Jōetsu Shinkansen from the start of the revised timetable in December 1998. From September 2002, the fleet of J sets (except J1) was augmented from 8 to 10 cars with the addition of newly built intermediate cars for use on Hayate services to Hachinohe commencing in December 2002. The red stripe on these lengthened sets was also changed to magenta, and the original "wind" bodyside logo was changed to the new Hayate logo.

Withdrawals of E2 series "J" sets commenced in October 2013, with the withdrawal of sets J2 and J3. The last remaining original "J" sets were withdrawn before the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2019.

Formation

Car No.12345678910
DesignationT1cM2M1M2M1kM2M1M2M1sT2c
NumberingE223E226-100E225E226-200E225-400E226-300E225-100E226-400E215E224-100
Seating capacity551008510075100851005164

Cars 4 and 6 are equipped with PS205 scissors-type pantographs.[1]

Fleet list

Set numberManufacturerDate deliveredDate lengthened to 10 carsDate withdrawn
J1-14 April 1995(Pre-series set S7, renumbered N21 from October 2002)16 March 2019
J2Hitachi20 December 199619 December 20022 October 2013
J324 January 199724 December 200230 October 2013
J4Kawasaki HI12 February 199719 September 20028 February 2016
J5Nippon Sharyo3 March 199729 October 200212 June 2014
J617 March 19973 November 20022 May 2014
J75 October 199816 November 200221 August 2017
J8Hitachi20 October 199824 September 200231 May 2018
J9Nippon Sharyo23 November 199814 September 20028 April 2016
J10Kawasaki HI17 December 199814 October 200214 February 2017
J11Nippon Sharyo6 September 199921 November 20029 January 2019
J12Tokyu Car17 September 199929 September 200223 August 2019
J13Hitachi5 October 19994 October 200227 April 2018
J14Kawasaki HI19 October 199919 October 20027 November 2018
J15Tokyu Car5 November 199924 October 200217 May 2019

E2-1000 series 10-car "J" sets

The prototype E2-1000 series train (unit J51) was delivered as an 8-car to Sendai depot in late December 2000, and entered revenue-earning service in November 2001 after extensive testing. Units J52 onwards were delivered as 10-car units from July 2002, entering service on the Tohoku Shinkansen from December 2002. These trains replaced life-expired 200 series trains and augment JR East's fleet for use on new Hayate services following the opening of the Tōhoku Shinkansen extension to Hachinohe in December 2002.

The E2-1000 series incorporates a number of design improvements compared with the earlier batches, the most noticeable of which is the change from small windows for each seating bay to wide windows similar to the E4 series trains. A new single-arm pantograph design is used with an aerofoil-shaped mounting that eliminates the need for pantograph shrouds. The pre-series set, J51, was equipped with automatic couplers at both ends, but sets J52 onwards have couplers at the northern end only, as on the earlier E2' trains. Unlike the earlier J sets, these units are only compatible with the 50 Hz power supply of the Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen routes and they aren't equipped with slope-usable brake systems. The flush-fitting plug doors of the earlier N and J sets were replaced by conventional sliding doors on these units. While J51 was delivered in the same livery as earlier E2 series trains, units J52 onward were delivered from new in the Hayate livery with a magenta waistline stripe in place of the previous red and a new "apple" logo in place of the "wind" logo on the original batch of J and N units.

Withdrawals of E2-1000 series sets commenced in March 2019, beginning with set J51.

Effective 18 March 2023, all sets have been withdrawn from Joetsu Shinkansen services and restricted to services on the Tohoku Shinkansen as a result of operating speed upgrades on the Joetsu Shinkansen; from 240to.[10]

Formation

Car No.12345678910
DesignationT1cM2M1M2M1kM2M1M2M1sT2c
NumberingE223-1000E226-1100E225-1000E226-1200E225-1400E226-1300E225-1100E226-1400E215-1000E224-1100
Seating capacity541008510075100851005164

Cars 4 and 6 are equipped with PS207 single-arm pantographs. Car 1 of set No. J51 is numbered E223-1101.[1]

Fleet list

Set numberManufacturerDate deliveredDate withdrawn
J51Hitachi/Kawasaki HI/Nippon Sharyo/Tokyu Car13 January 200114 March 2019
J52Hitachi17 July 200214 March 2022 
J53Kawasaki HI5 August 20029 May 2022 
J548 March 2003April 2023 
J55Hitachi7 November 200227 October 2022 
J5623 November 200210 August 2022 
J57Nippon Sharyo4 October 2003 
J58Tokyu Car11 September 20034 February 2023 
J59Tokyu Car21 October 200318 March 2023 
J60Kawasaki HI24 December 2003 
J61Nippon Sharyo17 January 2004 
J62Kawasaki HI2 February 20047 July 2023 
J63Tokyu Car8 December 200331 May 2023
J64Hitachi11 June 200319 December 2023
J65Kawasaki HI10 March 2004 
J66Nippon Sharyo6 April 200515 March 2024
J67Hitachi7 June 2005 
J6810 July 2005 
J69Kawasaki HI5 December 2005 
J70Hitachi19 February 2010 
J71Nippon Sharyo11 March 2010 
J72Hitachi12 April 2010 
J73Kawasaki HI10 May 2010 
J747 June 2010 
J75Nippon Sharyo27 September 2010 

Pre-series units

The pre-series E2' series unit S7 (renumbered as J1 and later as N21) was delivered in April 1995, with S6 (now numbered as N1) delivered in June of the same year. Visually, these two units differed from subsequent production standard units in having large pantograph shields resembling the original 300 series design. These were later changed to the current low-profile design.

Interior

Seating is 2+3 in standard class with a seat pitch of 960mm, and 2+2 in green class with a seat pitch of 1160mm.

Test running

An E2-1000 series train (J56) broke the Japanese rail speed record for a production train (i.e. not a dedicated test train) in April 2003 when it reached a speed of 362km/h during a series of late-night high-speed test runs between Urasa and Niigata on the Joetsu Shinkansen.[11]

Special liveries

To celebrate 150 years of rail transport in Japan, JR East announced plans in 2022 to repaint a set into a livery similar to that of the 200 series when they first entered service in 1982.[12] The special livery was painted on set J66 and introduced on 8 June 2022.[13] Set J66 was retired on 15 March 2024,[14] a day before the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2024.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Tokyo Disney Resort,[15] set J69 was wrapped with a Disney-themed wrap, featuring artworks of Disney characters. Set J69 with the special wrap, nicknamed the Magical Dream Shinkansen, was introduced on 22 December 2023.[16]

Exports

See main article: CRH2. China ordered a number of 250km/h trains based on the E2-1000 series design, renamed it as CRH2, becoming the second Shinkansen train exported after the 700T for Taiwan. These CRH2 trains consist of a total of 60 sets; the first three sets (2001-2003) were built in Japan, the next six sets were delivered in complete knock down (CKD) form and assembled by CSR Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock, the remaining 51 sets were built by Sifang through technology transfer from Japan. The first train arrived at the port of Qingdao on 8 March 2006.

Subsequent orders included 50 additional trains and a new order for 140 trains placed in 2009 with the Sino-Japanese joint venture.

Withdrawals

Withdrawals of E2 series sets commenced in October 2013, with the withdrawal of sets J2 and J3.

Preserved examples

Car E223-23[17] of former set J10 was moved from Sendai Depot to Sanwa Tekki Corporation in Utsunomiya, Tochigi, in February 2017, where it is preserved.[18]

Car E224-127 of former set J14 was moved from Sendai Depot to the Hirosawa City theme park in Chikusei, Ibaraki, in November 2018, where it is preserved.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: ja: JR電車編成表 2012夏 . JR EMU Formations - Summer 2012. Kotsu Shimbunsha . ja. May 2012 . Japan . 12–13. 978-4-330-28612-9.
  2. Book: ja: JR電車編成表 2014夏 . JR EMU Formations - Summer 2014 . Kotsu Shimbunsha . 30 May 2014 . Japan . ja . 357. 978-4-330-46614-9.
  3. Web site: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/economy/20170321-OYT1T50054.html . ja: 北陸新幹線「E2系」今月引退…五輪輸送で活躍 . Hokuriku Shinkansen E2 series to be withdrawn this month - Played an active role in transportation during the Olympics . 21 March 2017 . Yomiuri Shimbun . Japan . ja . https://archive.today/20170321043202/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/economy/20170321-OYT1T50054.html . 21 March 2017 . live . 22 March 2017 . dmy-all .
  4. Web site: http://www.e-nru.com/079tihonsyoku/083sendai/danketu/sensou422.pdf. ja:2013年度総合車両センター関係業務改善が提案される. Work Improvements Proposed for General Rolling Stock Center in Fiscal 2013. 27 January 2013. Danketsu. National Railway Workers' Union. Japan. ja. 11 February 2013.
  5. Book: ja: JR電車編成表 2017冬 . JR EMU Formations - Winter 2017 . Kotsu Shimbunsha . 16 November 2016 . Japan . ja . 14–15, 356. 978-4-330-73716-4.
  6. Book: ja: 新幹線電車データブック2011 . Shinkansen Databook 2011. Kotsu Shimbunsha . ja. March 2011 . Japan . 88–90. 978-4-330-19811-8.
  7. Book: ja: JR電車編成表 2015冬 . JR EMU Formations - Winter 2015 . Kotsu Shimbunsha . 21 November 2014 . Japan . ja . 357–358. 978-4-330-51614-1.
  8. Book: ja: JR電車編成表 2015夏 . JR EMU Formations - Summer 2015 . Kotsu Shimbunsha . 20 May 2015 . Japan . ja . 978-4-330-56915-4.
  9. Book: ja: JR電車編成表 2016夏 . JR EMU Formations - Summer 2016 . Kotsu Shimbunsha . 20 May 2016 . Japan . ja . 15, 357. 978-4-330-68216-7.
  10. Web site: 16 December 2022 . JR東日本,3月18日にダイヤ改正を実施 . JR East Implements Schedule Revision Effective 18 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221219021121/https://railf.jp/news/2022/12/16/181000.html . 19 December 2022 . 18 March 2023 . Japan Railfan Magazine Online . ja.
  11. Web site: 11 March 2003 . 「世界一の新幹線」に向けて高速走行試験を実施します . We will carry out a high-speed driving test for "the world's best Shinkansen" . https://web.archive.org/web/20220426204250/https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2002_2/20030306.pdf . 26 April 2022 . 9 June 2022 . jreast.co.jp . ja . PDF.
  12. Web site: 10 May 2022 . JR東日本,E2系による「懐かしの200系カラー新幹線」を運転へ . JR East to drive "Nostalgic 200 Series Color Shinkansen" by E2 series . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220511024208/https://railf.jp/news/2022/05/10/161500.html . 11 May 2022 . 11 May 2022 . Japan Railfan Magazine Online . ja.
  13. Web site: 8 June 2022 . 東北新幹線で開業当時の"200系"カラー再現 鉄道開業150年を記念 . "200 series" color reproduction at the time of opening on the Tohoku Shinkansen commemorating the 150th anniversary of the opening of the railway . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220608153021/https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/society/4c4495385b904a51a497e06d2eb07d6e . 8 June 2022 . 8 June 2022 . . ja.
  14. Web site: Retirement of Set J66 .
  15. Web site: Magical Dream Shinkansen .
  16. Web site: Magical Dream Shinkansen .
  17. ja: 2/23~25, E223-23, 陸送される. E223-23 moved by road 23–25 February. . 57. 673 . 158 . Koyusha Co., Ltd. . Japan . ja . May 2017.
  18. Web site: http://www.shimotsuke.co.jp/news/tochigi/top/news/20170224/2610646. ja: 新幹線車両、真夜中の陸上輸送 宇都宮の事業所が買い取り、一般公開へ. Shinkansen car bought by Utsunomiya company and moved by road late at night. 24 February 2017. Shimotsuke Original Online News. Shimotsuke Shimbun. Japan. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20170225020204/http://www.shimotsuke.co.jp/news/tochigi/top/news/20170224/2610646. 25 February 2017. dead. 25 February 2017. dmy-all.