This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2024) |
The Class E926 (E926形) also known as the East-i, is a high-speed diagnostic train used on JR East's Shinkansen lines. Entering service in 2001, it is based on the E3 series and carries out line inspections at a maximum speed of 275 km/h (171 mph). It operates on the Jōetsu Shinkansen, the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the Tōhoku Shinkansen and its two mini-shinkansen branch lines, the Yamagata Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen; the train also operates on the Hokkaido Shinkansen, owned by JR Hokkaido, as well as sections of the Hokuriku Shinkansen owned by JR West. Similar types of diagnostic trains called Doctor Yellow operate on the Tokaido Shinkansen and San'yo Shinkansen.
| Class E926 "East i" | |
|---|---|
 East i series inspection train | |
| Manufacturer | Tokyu Car Corporation |
| Constructed | 2001 |
| Entered service | 2001 |
| Scrapped | 2015 (E926-13) |
| Number built | 7 vehicles |
| Number in service | 6 vehicles (1 set) |
| Number scrapped | 1 vehicle |
| Formation | 6 cars per trainset |
| Fleet numbers | S51[1] |
| Operators | JR East, JR Hokkaido |
| Lines served | Hokuriku Shinkansen, Jōetsu Shinkansen, Tōhoku Shinkansen, Hokkaido Shinkansen |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 125.6 m (412 ft) |
| Car length | 20 m (66 ft) or 22.8 m (75 ft) |
| Width | 2.94 m (9.6 ft) |
| Height | 4.29 m (14.1 ft) |
| Maximum speed | 275 km/h (171 mph) (Tōhoku Shinkansen, Jōetsu Shinkansen, Hokuriku Shinkansen, Hokkaido Shinkansen) 130 km/h (80 mph) (Yamagata Shinkansen, Akita Shinkansen) |
| Traction motors | Mitsubishi Electric three-phase induction AC motor MT-205 |
| Acceleration | 1.6 km/(h⋅s) (0.99 mph/s) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV 50/60 Hz AC, 20 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| Bogies | DT207A, TR8012 (E926-3, 13)[2] |
| Braking system(s) | Regenerative braking combined with electric command type air braking |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
Overview
editThe Class E926 is a non-revenue earning diagnostic train designed to replace the aging Class 925 inspection train. The Class 925, based on the 200 series, had a lower top speed than newly-introduced trainsets at the time, such as the E3 series. Its loading gauge was also incompatible with the mini-shinkansen, which used narrower trains. At the time, the mini-shinkansen relied on KuMoYa 743 series inspection railcars. In response to these needs, the Class E926 was introduced in 2001, with the Class 925 withdrawn that same year.
The i in East i stands for intelligent, integrated, and inspection.[3] Since the routes and times of operation of the East i train are not publicly disclosed, it is considered lucky by railway enthusiasts when the viewer sees it.[4]
Formation
editThere are 7 East i series inspection train cars that were built. Cars 2 and 4 are equipped with a single arm pantograph. Prior to the scrapping of car E926-13 in 2015, when the 6-car train was being maintained, a spare track inspection car was inserted into an E2 series set.[5][6][7]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 (13) | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uses | Communication, signal, and catenary testing car | Communication and power supply testing car | Track inspection car | Catenary inspection car | Power supply and signal detection car | Communication, signal, and catenary testing car |
-
E926-1 (Car 1) -
E926-2 (Car 2) -
E926-3 (Car 3) -
E926-4 (Car 4) -
E926-5 (Car 5) -
E926-6 (Car 6) -
E926-13 (The spare carriage that is inserted into an E2 series set when the 6-car set is being maintained) (Scrapped in 2015) -
E2 series set N21 with the track inspection car in the background
References
edit- ^ "E926形「East-i」が検測に復帰" [E926 "East i" returns to inspection]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ "TR8012 / JR東日本E926形 East-i" [TR8012 / JR East E926 East-i]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 5 November 2008. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ Railway Pictorial (in Japanese). Electric Vehicle Research Group. January 2002. p. 96.
- ^ "「見ると幸せになる」列車 あなたは見たことある？" [Have you ever seen the train that brings you happiness when you see it?] (in Japanese). 12 May 2018. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ "E2系N21編成＋E926-13が検測" [E2 series N21 train + E926-13 inspection]. railf.jp (in Japanese). 3 August 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ "E2系N21編成＋E926-13が試運転" [E2 series N21 train + E926-13 test run]. railf.jp (in Japanese). 8 July 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ "【すごい段差】新幹線史上類を見ない凸凹編成 E2系の検測列車ってなに？" [[Huge bump] An uneven train formation unlike any other in Shinkansen history: What is the E2 series inspection train?]. RM News (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2024.