E7 Series Shinkansen
| E7 series W7 series |
|
|---|---|
 Artist's impression of the E7/W7 series design |
|
| In service | Early 2015– |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| Replaced | E2 series |
| Constructed | 2013– |
| Number under construction | 324 vehicles (27 sets) on order |
| Formation | 12 cars per set |
| Capacity | 934 |
| Operator | JR East (E7 series) JR West (W7 series) |
| Line(s) served | Hokuriku Shinkansen |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 260 km/h (160 mph) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV AC, 50/60 Hz |
| Current collection method | Overhead catenary |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
The E7 series (E7系) and W7 series (W7系) are identical Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train types on order respectively by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West) for use on the Hokuriku Shinkansen when the line is extended from Nagano to Kanazawa in late fiscal 2014.[1]
Jointly developed by JR East and JR West, a total of 17 12-car E7 series sets (204 vehicles) and 10 12-car W7 series sets (120 vehicles) are on order.[2] The first E7 series train is scheduled to be delivered in autumn 2013, and the first W7 series train is scheduled to be delivered in spring 2014.[1]
Contents |
Design[edit]
Based on the earlier E2 series trains, the E7 and W7 series trains are to be designed with a "Japanese" theme inside and out, combining futuristic styling with traditional design elements overseen by industrial designer Ken Okuyama together with Kawasaki Heavy Industries.[3] Externally, the roof is finished in a "sky blue" colour, and the bodysides are "ivory white" with "copper" and "sky blue" lining.[4]
The trains will have a maximum speed of 260 km/h (160 mph) on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, limited to 240 km/h (150 mph) on the Joetsu Shinkansen tracks between Omiya and Takasaki, and to 110 km/h (70 mph) on the Tohoku Shinkansen tracks between Tokyo and Omiya.[1] Increased power output will enable the trains to maintain speeds of at least 210 km/h (130 mph) on the steep gradients of the Hokuriku Shinkansen.[2]
Car 12 will be equipped with full active suspension, and the other cars will be equipped with semi-active suspension.[1]
Formations[edit]
The 12-car formations will consist of 10 motored intermediate cars with non-powered (trailer) end cars. Car 11 provides "Green car" (first class) accommodation, and car 12 provides "Gran class" luxury accommodation.[1] Sets will be formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end.[1]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | T | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | T |
| Capacity | tba | tba | tba | tba | tba | tba | tba | tba | tba | tba | 63 | 18 |
Cars 3 and 7 are each equipped with a pantograph.[1]
Interior[edit]
The 12-car trains have accommodation in three classes: "Gran class", "Green class", and "Standard class", with a total seating capacity of 934.[1] Gran class seating (car 12) is arranged 2+1 abreast with a seat pitch of 1,300 mm (51 in), Green class seating (car 11) is arranged 2+2 abreast with a seat pitch of 1,160 mm (46 in), and Standard class seating (cars 1 to 10) is arranged 3+2 abreast with a seat pitch of 1,040 mm (41 in).[1]
In Gran class and Green class, AC power outlets are provided for each seat, while in Standard class, AC power outlets are provided for window seats and rows at the ends of each car.[4] The Gran class seats are to be supplied by Toyota Boshoku.[5]
Car saloons and vestibule areas will be equipped with security cameras.[4]
History[edit]
In December 2011, it was reported that JR East was considering developing new E7 series 10-car sets based on the existing E2 series design for use on Hokuriku Shinkansen services.[6] In January 2012, the head of JR West's Kanazawa Division revealed that new trains for the line would be developed in conjunction with JR East, and that test running would need to be conducted during the winter season a year before the line opening to thoroughly test the ability of the trains to cope with snowy conditions.[7]
Details of the new trains were formally announced jointly by JR East and JR West on 4 September 2012.[4] The first E7 series train is scheduled to be delivered in autumn 2013, and the first W7 series train is scheduled to be delivered in spring 2014.[1] Five E7 series sets are scheduled to be delivered during fiscal 2013.[8]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "E7系・W7系新幹線電車" [E7/W7 Series Shinkansen]. Japan Railfan Magazine (Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd.) 52 (619): p.48–49. November 2012.
- ^ a b Saito, Masatoshi (4 September 2012). "ＪＲ東:北陸新幹線の新型車両「Ｅ７系」概要発表" [JR East announces details of new E7 series for Hokuriku Shinkansen]. Mainichi jp (in Japanese). Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
- ^ "北陸路走る 伝統と未来 新幹線デザイン決定" [Hokuriku Shinkansen design announced - tradition and future]. Chunichi Web (in Japanese). Japan: The Chunichi Shimbun. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ a b c d "北陸新幹線用の新型車両について" [New trains for Hokuriku Shinkansen] (pdf). Press release (in Japanese). Japan: JR East & JR West. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
- ^ "トヨタ紡織、鉄道車両用シートを初受注 ～ 北陸新幹線「グランクラス」に採用 ～" [Toyota Boshoku wins first order for train seats - to be used on Hokuriku Shinkansen "Gran Class"]. News Release (in Japanese). Japan: Toyota Boshuku Corporation. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ Saito, Masatoshi (13 December 2011). "北陸新幹線：山越え時速２００キロ、パワフル「Ｅ７系」金沢へ 延伸でＪＲ東日本開発" [JR East to develop powerful E7 series to maintain 200 km/h through mountains to Kanazawa on Hokuriku Shinkansen]. Mainichi jp (in Japanese). Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
- ^ "「大幅変更なし」 七尾線など、新幹線開業後も" ["No major changes" to Nanao Line and others even after shinkansen route opens]. Ishikawa News (in Japanese). Japan: The Hokkoku Shimbun. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
- ^ "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] (PDF). Danketsu (in Japanese). Japan: National Railway Workers' Union. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.svg){kind=logo}
.svg){kind=logo}
.svg){kind=logo}
.svg){kind=logo}
.svg){kind=logo}
