JAPAN: East Japan Railway
has unveiled the first of its 300 km/h Series E8 high speed trainsets, which
have been ordered for use on services between Tokyo, Fukushima, Yamagata and
Shinjo via the Yamagata mini-Shinkansen.
The small-profile trains
are intended to replace the 275 km/h Series E3 sets that entered service
between 1995 and 2009. The new trains have a 9 m long nose section designed to
minimise noise when traversing tunnels at higher speeds.
The original order placed
in March 2020 covered the supply of 17 seven-car Series E8 trainsets, but this
was subsequently reduced to 14 when the railway revised its ridership
predictions following the pandemic. A 15th set was reinstated to the order in
May 2022 as passengers gradually returned.
Production is being
undertaken by Kawasaki Heavy Industries with the involvement of Hitachi.
Designed to take power at
20 kV and 25 kV 50 Hz, the dual-voltage Series E8 has five motored coaches and
two trailer cars. All vehicles are fitted with active bogie suspension to
enhance ride comfort, especially on the sinuous mountain line west of
Fukushima. This part of Tohoku experiences very heavy snowfall, and Hitachi
said the fleet was fully winterised.
Each train provides 329
standard class seats and 26 in Green class, all arranged in a 2+2 configuration
and with power sockets. Hitachi said the Series E8 offers improved
accessibility, with expanded wheelchair spaces. The toilets are designed so
that they still be used should the power from the overhead line be lost.
The Series E8 trains have
been styled by Ken Okuyama Design, working with engineers from Kawasaki. The
livery includes purple inspired by the mandarin duck, one of the symbols of
Yamagata Prefecture, white from the snow on Mount Zao on the border of Yamagata
and Miyagi prefectures and yellow representing the yellow safflower, another
local symbol.
The first set was unveiled
at JR East’s Rifu depot and maintenance centre near Sendai on February 26,
following delivery for testing and commissioning. The initial trains are
expected to enter service in spring 2024, with all to be delivered by 2026.