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 17 vehicles were delivered by February 2018, replacing all diesel units on the route.[2]
| 8600 series | |
|---|---|
 Sets E14+E12+E1 on a combined Ishizuchi and Shiokaze service in March 2016 | |
| In service | 23 June 2014 – present |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| Built at | Kobe |
| Replaced | 2000 series, 8000 series |
| Constructed | 2014–2018 |
| Number built | 17 vehicles (7 sets) |
| Formation | 2/3 cars per set |
| Fleet numbers | E1–E3, E11–E14 |
| Capacity | 153 (3 car sets) 101 (2 car sets) |
| Operators | JR Shikoku |
| Depots | Matsuyama Depot |
| Lines 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 (81 mph) (service) 140 km/h (87 mph) (design) |
| Power output | 220 kW x 4 per set |
| Electric system(s) | 1,500 V DC |
| Current collector(s) | Overhead catenary |
| Bogies | S-DT66 (motored) S-TR66 (trailer) |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
Design
editThe 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 kilometres per hour (81 mph) in service, although they have a maximum design capability of 140 km/h (87 mph).[3] Tilting capability enables the trains to negotiate curves with a radius of 600 metres (2,000 ft) or more at a speed 30 km/h (19 mph) higher than the limit for conventional non-tilting trains.[3]
Formations
editThree-car sets E1–E3
editThe three-car sets, numbered E1 to E3, include "Green" car (first class) accommodation in half of one car, and are formed as follows, with one motored car and two non-powered trailer cars.[4]
| Designation | Mc | T | Tsc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbering | 8600 | 8800 | 8700 |
| Weight (t) | 41.9 | 32.1 | 39.0 |
| Capacity | 56 | 68 | 12 green + 17 ordinary |
| Facilities | Vending machine, toilets | Green car seating, wheelchair space, toilets |
The "Tsc" car is fitted with a single-arm pantograph.[4]
Two-car sets E11–E14
edit
The two-car sets, numbered E11 to E14, are formed with one motored "M" car and one trailer "T" car, as shown below.
| Designation | Mc | Tc |
|---|---|---|
| Numbering | 8600 | 8750 |
| Weight (t) | 41.9[Note 1] | 38.6[Note 2] |
| Capacity | 56 | 45 |
| Facilities | Vending machine, toilets | Wheelchair space, toilets |
Notes
editThe "Tc" car is fitted with a single-arm pantograph.[3]
-
Car 8602 of set E12 -
Car 8752 of set E12
Interior
editPassenger accommodation consists of ordinary-class 2+2 abreast reclining seats with a seat pitch of 980 mm (39 in) and "Green car" (first class) 2+1 abreast reclining seats with a seat pitch of 1,170 mm (46 in).[4] 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 (35 in)) door for wheelchair accessibility, and includes a wheelchair space and universal access toilet. LED lighting is used throughout.[3]
-
Interior of car 8601 -
Interior of car 8751
History
edit
The first two pre-series sets, E11 and E12, were delivered to Takamatsu Depot from the Kawasaki Heavy Industries factory in Kobe in February 2014.[5] Test running commenced in March.[6] The trains entered service on Ishizuchi limited express services between Takamatsu and Matsuyama on 23 June 2014.[7]
The next four full-production sets (three-car sets E1 and E2 and two-car sets E13 and E14) were delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in October 2015.[8]
In 2017, JR West borrowed two 8600 series sets to test the feasibility of pneumatic tilting on the Hakubi Line[9][10] for a new rolling stock type for its Yakumo limited express services. The pneumatic tilting system proved unsuitable for the line, and JR West decided that the new rolling stock would use a pendular tilting system instead.[11]
Three-car set E3 was delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in January 2018,[12] entering service on 14 February.[13]
References
edit
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g 8600系量産先行車 [8600 series pre-series trainsets]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). 54 (637): 57–61. May 2014.
- ^ a b c Yoshimoto, Eisaburo (January 2016). 8600系量産車 [8600 series full-production trainsets]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). 56 (657): 65–69.
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ JR四国8600系の量産車が出場 [JR Shikoku 8600 series full-production sets delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
- ^ JR四国8600系が伯備線で試運転 [JR Shikoku 8600 series commissioned on the Hakubi Line]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 14 July 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ JR四国8600系が再び伯備線で走行試験 [JR Shikoku 8600 series commissioned on the Hakubi Line again]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ カーブ克服して速度アップ｢振り子式車両｣の進化 [The evolution of tilting trains – overcoming curves, increasing speed]. Toyo Keizai Online (in Japanese). 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ JR四国8600系E3編成が甲種輸送される [JR Shikoku 8600 series set E3 delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ 8600系E3編成が営業運転を開始 [8600 series set E3 enters revenue service]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
Further reading
edit- "8600系量産先行者" [8600 series pre-series trains]. Japan Railfan Magazine. 54 (638): 60–66. June 2014.