N700 Series Shinkansen

(Redirected from N700-I Bullet)

The N700 series (N700系, Enu nana-hyaku-kei) is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train with tilting capability developed jointly by JR Central and JR West for use on the Tōkaidō and San'yō Shinkansen lines since 2007, and is operated by JR Kyushu on the Kyushu Shinkansen line.

N700 series
N700 series set F20 on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, September 2021
In service1 July 2007; 17 years ago (2007-07-01) – present
ManufacturerHitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kinki Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo
Replaced300 series, 500 series,[1] 700 series
Constructed2005–2020
Scrapped2019–
Number in service2,624 vehicles (179 sets) (as of 1 April 2022)
Number preserved3 vehicles (N700-9000 series)
Number scrapped13 vehicles (N700-9000 series);
352 vehicles (22 sets. of which, 1 due to fire damage)
SuccessorN700S Series Shinkansen
Formation16 cars per trainset (8 cars per trainset for N700-7000/8000)
CapacityTokaido/Sanyo 16-car sets (F, G, K/N, X/Z):
1,323 (200 Green + 1,123 ordinary)
Sanyo/Kyushu 8-car sets (R, S):
546 (24 Green + 522 ordinary)
Operators
DepotsTokyo (for JR Central), Hakata ( JR-West), Osaka ( JR Central), Kumamoto (for JR Kyushu)
Lines servedKyushu Shinkansen, Tōkaidō Shinkansen, San'yō Shinkansen, Hakata-Minami Line
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Car length25 m (82 ft 0 in) (intermediate cars)
27.35 m (89 ft 9 in) (end cars)
Width3.36 m (11 ft 0 in)
Height3.6 m (11 ft 10 in), (middle cars and connectors of end cars) (without rooftop equipment)
3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) (end cars excluding connector with middle cars)
Maximum speed285 km/h (177 mph) (Tokaido)
300 km/h (186 mph) (Sanyo)
260 km/h (162 mph) (Kyushu)
Weight715 t (16-car set)[2]
Traction motors56 x 305 kW (409 hp)
Power output17.08 MW (22,905 hp)
Acceleration2.6 km/(h⋅s) (1.6 mph/s)
Electric system(s)25 kV 60 Hz AC catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classification2'2'+14*Bo'Bo'+2'2' (N, Z and G sets)
8*Bo'Bo' (R and S sets)
Braking system(s)Pneumatic, regenerative
Safety system(s)ATC-NS, KS-ATC (R and S sets only)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
This train won the 51st Blue Ribbon Award in 2008.

N700 series trains have a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), and tilting of up to one degree allows the trains to maintain 270 km/h (168 mph), even on 2,500 m (8,202 ft) radius curves that previously had a maximum speed of 255 km/h (158 mph). Another feature of the N700 is that it accelerates more quickly than the older 700 series Shinkansen trains, with a maximum acceleration rate of 2.6 km/h/s (0.72 m/s2). This enables it to reach 270 km/h (170 mph) in only three minutes. Further advancements led to the development of the N700A, an incremental evolution of the N700. N700A trains can reach 285 km/h (177 mph) on 3,000 m (9,843 ft) curves, allowing the maximum operating speed on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen to be raised to 285 km/h (177 mph). All N700 series sets have been retrofitted with most of the improvements added to the N700A series, and are now classified as "N700A".

Because of these improvements, trains can travel between Tokyo and Osaka on a Nozomi run in as little as 2 hours and 22 minutes on the fastest service (8 minutes faster than before).

A new train, the N700S, entered service in 2020 with plans to eventually replace all N700-series trains. The first four sets began operation on 1 July 2020.

Operations

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N700 series trains gradually replaced 300, 500 and 700 series sets on Nozomi services, and by the end of February 2009, the N700 series were responsible for 74 Nozomi services per day.[3] All Nozomi through runs (over the full route between Tokyo and Hakata) were scheduled to use the N700 series exclusively by 2009. From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012, all regularly scheduled Nozomi services, including runs limited only to the Tokaido Shinkansen, were operated by N700 series sets.[4]

Since 4 March 2017, the N700 is also used on regularly scheduled Hikari services during the day, as well as all Kodama trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen, since March 2020.

Since March 2009, the N700 series trains have been equipped with wireless internet available for use between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.[5]

Future plans

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In an announcement by JR Central, JR West, and JR Kyushu made on 17 October 2023, the companies stated that all onboard smoking rooms on the Tokaido, San'yo, and Kyushu Shinkansen trains would be abolished by Q2 2024.[6]

In another announcement made on 14 February 2024, JR West revealed plans to convert four existing 16-car N700 series sets into 8-car formations.[7] This move is to be made in a bid to retire four of the remaining 500 series sets on the San'yo Shinkansen.[7] The conversions of the first four sets are set to take place between 2024 and the end of 2026.[7] JR West later announced on 24 July 2024 that ten more 16-car N700 series sets are also scheduled to be converted to 8-car sets from 2026 to 2029.[8]

Variants

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  • N700-0 series: 80 x 16-car "Z" sets owned by JR Central, introduced from 1 July 2007 and all converted to N700-2000 series "N700A" by August 2015
  • N700-1000 series "N700A": 51 x 16-car "G" sets owned by JR Central, introduced from 8 February 2013
  • N700-2000 series "N700A": 80 x 16-car "X" sets owned by JR Central, modified from original "Z" sets between 2013 and 2015
  • N700-3000 series: 16 x 16-car "N" sets owned by JR-West, introduced from 1 July 2007 and all converted to N700-5000 series "N700A" by March 2016
  • N700-4000 series "N700A": 24 x 16-car "F" sets owned by JR-West, introduced from December 2013
  • N700-5000 series "N700A": 16 x 16-car "K" sets owned by JR-West, modified from original "N" sets from October 2013
  • N700-7000 series: 19 x 8-car "S" sets owned by JR-West, introduced from 12 March 2011
  • N700-8000 series: 11 x 8-car "R" sets owned by JR Kyushu, introduced from 12 March 2011
  • N700-9000 series: Prototype 16-car set Z0 owned by JR Central, later redesignated X0 and retired in 2019

16-car G sets (N700-1000 series "N700A")

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Set G15, December 2015

The N700-1000 series, or "N700A" (with "A" standing for "Advanced"), is a new version of the N700 series design delivered from August 2012, and entering revenue service from 8 February 2013.[9]

The new version is externally identical to the existing N700 series sets, with the addition of new "N700A" logos on each odd-numbered car.[10] The new trains include modified brake discs, bogie vibration detection, and ATC improvements.[11]

Six "G" sets were scheduled to be introduced during fiscal 2012, replacing older 700 series sets, with seven more sets introduced during fiscal 2013.[12] A further 18 sets are on order by JR Central, to be delivered six sets per year between fiscal 2014 and 2016 at a cost of 88 billion yen.[13] In October 2015, JR Central announced that it had ordered a further 20 N700A series sets to be delivered between fiscal 2016 and 2019, replacing all of the remaining 700 series trains sets on Tokaido Shinkansen services.[14]

The first set, G1, was delivered to Hamamatsu in August 2012, with test running commencing on the Tokaido Shinkansen the following month.[15]

Formation

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The 16-car G sets are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Shin-Osaka (western) end and car 16 at the Tokyo (eastern) end.[16]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Tc M2 M'w M1 M1w M' M2k M1s M1sw M2s M'h M1 M1w M' M2w T'c
Numbering 783-1000 787-1000 786-1500 785-1000 785-1300 786-1000 787-1400 775-1000 776-1000 777-1000 786-1700 785-1600 785-1500 786-1200 787-1500 784-1000
Seating capacity 65 100 85 100 90 100 75 68 64 68 63 100 90 100 80 75
Facilities Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Conductor's compartment / AED Toilets / telephone Smoking room Toilets / multi-purpose compartment Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room / telephone  

Cars 5 and 12 each have one single-arm pantograph.[9]

Interior

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Internally, seats have new moquette seat covers, and LED lighting is used in toilets and washing areas.[12]

Fleet list

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As of 1 April 2020, the N700A series G set fleet is as follows.[16]

Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered Remarks
G1 Nippon Sharyo 25 August 2012 Fiscal 2012 batch
G2 Hitachi 7 November 2012
G3 Nippon Sharyo 16 November 2012
G4 22 January 2013
G5 Hitachi 30 January 2013
G6 Nippon Sharyo 22 February 2013
G7 Hitachi 17 April 2013 Fiscal 2013 batch
G8 Nippon Sharyo 11 July 2013
G9 20 September 2013
G10 29 October 2013
G11 11 December 2013
G12 21 January 2014
G13 21 February 2014
G14 4 July 2014 Fiscal 2014 batch
G15 Hitachi 31 July 2014
G16 Nippon Sharyo 22 August 2014
G17 21 October 2014
G18 Hitachi 3 December 2014
G19 Nippon Sharyo 17 February 2015
G20 14 April 2015 Fiscal 2015 batch
G21 Hitachi 11 June 2015
G22 Nippon Sharyo 28 August 2015
G23 20 October 2015
G24 Hitachi 16 December 2015
G25 Nippon Sharyo 16 February 2016
G26 Hitachi 6 April 2016 Fiscal 2016 batch
G27 Nippon Sharyo 10 June 2016
G28 30 August 2016
G29 Hitachi 19 October 2016
G30 Nippon Sharyo 1 November 2016
G31 13 December 2016
G32 7 March 2017
G33 21 April 2017 Fiscal 2017 batch
G34 13 June 2017
G35 19 July 2017
G36 Hitachi 5 September 2017
G37 Nippon Sharyo 17 October 2017
G38 5 December 2017
G39 16 January 2018
G40 8 June 2018 Fiscal 2018 batch
G41 13 October 2018
G42 Hitachi 20 July 2018
G43 18 September 2018
G44 Nippon Sharyo 8 January 2019
G45 15 February 2019
G46 23 March 2019
G47 Hitachi 19 April 2019 Fiscal 2019 batch
G48 Nippon Sharyo 7 June 2019
G49 Hitachi 16 July 2019
G50 Nippon Sharyo 17 September 2019
G51 Hitachi 21 February 2020

16-car X sets (N700-2000 series "N700A")

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JR Central N700-2000 series set X50, September 2014
  • 81 x 16-car sets, X0–X80 (converted from N700-0 series)

These are former N700 series Z sets modified between 2013 and August 2015 to incorporate some of the design improvements featured in the later N700A series sets. Cars are renumbered in the -2000 subseries, with the exception of set X0, which is still numbered in the -9000 subseries. The sets are also identified by the addition of a small "A" added to the right of the bodyside "N700" logos.[17] The prototype 16-car train (Z0) was delivered in March 2005 for extensive testing and endurance running. Cars 1 to 4 were built by Hitachi, cars 5 to 14 were built by Nippon Sharyo, and cars 15 and 16 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.[18] It was initially fitted with two auxiliary headlights located below the nose.[19]

The first full-production Z set (Z1) was delivered to JR Central in April 2007, and trains entered revenue service on 1 July 2007, with eight daily Nozomi service runs. The final Z set, Z80, was delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in February 2012.[20]

From fiscal 2013, the fleet of Z sets underwent modifications to incorporate some of the improvements featured in the later N700A series sets. Modified sets were re-designated "X" sets, with cars renumbered in the -2000 subseries. The modified sets are also identified by the addition of a small "A" added to the right of the bodyside "N700" logos.[17] The first original "Z" set, set Z65, was modified to become set X65 in May 2013, with the last original "Z" set, set Z4, modified to become set X4 in August 2015.[16]

The prototype set Z0 was used as a JR Central test train with cars numbered in the -9000 series, and was not used in revenue service. It was renumbered set X0 in 2014, but the car numbers remained in the -9000 subseries.[9] The set was officially withdrawn from service in February 2019.[citation needed]

Withdrawals of N700 series X sets commenced in July 2020, beginning with set X12.[citation needed]

Former Z sets

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Set Z15, June 2008

Formation

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The 16-car X sets are formed as follows.[9]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Tc M2 M'w M1 M1w M' M2k M1s M's M2s M'h M1 M1w M' M2w T'c
Numbering 783-2000 787-2000 786-2500 785-2000 785-2300 786-2000 787-2400 775-2000 776-2000 777-2000 786-2700 785-2600 785-2500 786-2200 787-2500 784-2000
Seating capacity 65 100 85 100 90 100 75 68 64 68 63 100 90 100 80 75
Facilities Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Conductor's compartment / AED Toilets / telephone Smoking room Toilets / multi-purpose compartment Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room / telephone  

Former Z set formation

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Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Tc M2 M'w M1 M1w M' M2k M1s M's M2s M'h M1 M1w M' M2w T'c
Numbering 783 787 786-500 785 785-300 786 787-400 775 776 777 786-700 785-600 785-500 786-200 787-500 784
Seating capacity 65 100 85 100 90 100 75 68 64 68 63 100 90 100 80 75
Facilities Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Conductor's compartment / AED Toilets / telephone Smoking room Toilets / multi-purpose compartment Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room / telephone  

Cars 5 and 12 each have one single-arm pantograph.[9]

Interior

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Fleet list

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As of 28 January 2023, the JR Central N700A series fleet is as follows.[21]

Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered Date converted to N700A Date withdrawn Remarks
X0 Hitachi/Kawasaki HI/Nippon Sharyo 12 March 2005 12 May 2014 25 February 2019 Pre-series set
X1 Nippon Sharyo 17 April 2007 18 May 2015 4 October 2021 Full-production sets
X2 Hitachi 9 May 2007 9 June 2015 2 November 2021
X3 Nippon Sharyo 21 May 2007 15 June 2015 2 December 2021
X4 Hitachi 16 June 2007 5 August 2015 4 January 2022
X5 Nippon Sharyo 23 June 2007 7 July 2015 7 February 2022
X6 Hitachi 5 September 2007 16 July 2013 2 March 2022
X7 Nippon Sharyo 12 September 2007 12 August 2013 19 April 2022
X8 Hitachi 31 October 2007 28 August 2013 13 May 2022
X9 Nippon Sharyo 22 October 2007 21 October 2013 13 July 2022
X10 Hitachi 6 December 2007 25 October 2013 16 August 2022
X11 Nippon Sharyo 29 November 2007 11 December 2013 12 September 2022
X12 Kawasaki HI 9 January 2008 21 January 2014 2 July 2020
X13 Nippon Sharyo 16 January 2008 31 January 2014 1 September 2020
X14 Hitachi 6 February 2008 27 February 2014 26 September 2020
X15 Nippon Sharyo 21 February 2008 16 May 2014 21 October 2020
X16 Hitachi 5 March 2008 22 May 2014 18 November 2020
X17 Nippon Sharyo 8 May 2008 3 June 2014 14 December 2020
X18 Hitachi 15 May 2008 19 June 2014
X19 Nippon Sharyo 12 June 2008 1 July 2014 14 January 2021
X20 Hitachi 2 July 2008 7 July 2014
X21 Nippon Sharyo 17 July 2008 24 July 2014
X22 Hitachi 6 August 2008 7 August 2014 12 February 2021
X23 Nippon Sharyo 27 August 2008 8 September 2014 16 March 2021
X24 Hitachi 17 September 2008 12 September 2014 16 April 2021
X25 Nippon Sharyo 3 October 2008 21 October 2014 7 June 2021
X26 Kawasaki HI 16 November 2008 29 November 2014 5 August 2021
X27 Nippon Sharyo 9 November 2008 27 October 2014 14 May 2021
X28 Hitachi 21 December 2008 4 December 2014 8 July 2021
X29 Nippon Sharyo 14 December 2008 28 January 2015 7 September 2021
X30 Kawasaki HI 11 February 2009 22 December 2014
X31 Nippon Sharyo 24 January 2009 16 December 2014
X32 1 March 2009 9 February 2015
X33 Hitachi 15 April 2009 22 May 2015
X34 Nippon Sharyo 3 April 2009 3 February 2015
X35 13 May 2009 3 June 2015
X36 Kawasaki HI 26 August 2009 22 July 2013
X37 Nippon Sharyo 18 June 2009 19 June 2015
X38 24 July 2009 9 July 2013
X39 3 September 2009 27 July 2013 30 March 2022
X40 Hitachi 8 July 2009 19 June 2013
X41 Nippon Sharyo 11 October 2009 27 September 2013 3 June 2022
X42 14 November 2009 13 November 2013
X43 Hitachi 1 December 2009 21 December 2013 11 October 2022
X44 Nippon Sharyo 17 December 2009 27 January 2014 11 November 2022
X45 Hitachi 13 January 2010 5 March 2014 13 December 2022
X46 Nippon Sharyo 27 January 2010 15 March 2014
X47 Hitachi 17 February 2010 20 March 2014 12 January 2023
X48 Nippon Sharyo 1 March 2010 9 April 2014
X49 2 April 2010 28 May 2014
X50 9 May 2010 25 June 2014
X51 9 June 2010 18 July 2014
X52 10 July 2010 31 July 2014
X53 Hitachi 21 July 2010 22 August 2014
X54 Nippon Sharyo 18 August 2010 27 September 2014
X55 18 September 2010 19 September 2014
X56 Hitachi 1 October 2010 15 October 2014
X57 Nippon Sharyo 21 October 2010 31 October 2014
X58 Hitachi 10 November 2010 18 November 2014
X59 Nippon Sharyo 21 November 2010 12 December 2014
X60 22 December 2010 25 November 2014
X61 Hitachi 19 January 2011 22 January 2015
X62 Nippon Sharyo 28 January 2011 19 March 2015
X63 Hitachi 23 February 2011 25 March 2015
X64 Nippon Sharyo 3 March 2011 25 April 2015
X65 6 April 2011 7 May 2013
X66 Hitachi 20 April 2011 14 July 2015
X67 Nippon Sharyo 13 May 2011 1 July 2015
X68 15 June 2011 27 June 2013
X69 16 July 2011 23 August 2013
X70 Hitachi 3 August 2011 12 September 2013
X71 Nippon Sharyo 20 August 2011 19 September 2013
X72 Hitachi 7 September 2011 15 October 2013
X73 Nippon Sharyo 22 September 2011 29 November 2013
X74 24 October 2011 5 December 2013
X75 Hitachi 3 November 2011 17 December 2013
X76 Nippon Sharyo 23 November 2011 27 December 2013
X77 22 December 2011 21 February 2014
X78 29 January 2012 11 March 2014
X79 Hitachi 22 February 2012 15 April 2014
X80 Nippon Sharyo 1 March 2012 21 April 2014

16-car F sets (N700-4000 series "N700A")

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These are N700A series sets owned by JR-West and classified N700-4000 series, with one set (set F1) delivered in November 2013 and entering revenue service from 8 February 2014.[9] A further four sets were delivered each in fiscal 2015 (sets F2 to F5) and fiscal 2016 (sets F6 to F9),[22] followed by three in fiscal 2017 (sets F10 to F12), five in fiscal 2018 (sets F13 to F17), and seven in fiscal 2019 (sets F18 to F24).[23]

Formation

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The 16-car F sets are formed as follows.

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Tc M2 M'w M1 M1w M' M2k M1s M's M2s M'h M1 M1w M' M2w T'c
Numbering 783-4000 787-4000 786-4500 785-4000 785-4300 786-4000 787-4400 775-4000 776-4000 777-4000 786-4700 785-4600 785-4500 786-4200 787-4500 784-4000
Seating capacity 65 100 85 100 90 100 75 68 64 68 63 100 90 100 80 75
Facilities Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Conductor's compartment / AED Toilets / telephone Smoking room Toilets / multi-purpose compartment Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room / telephone  

Fleet list

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As of 1 April 2020, the JR-West N700A series fleet is as follows.[16]

Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered Remarks
F1 Hitachi 27 November 2013 Fiscal 2013 batch
F2 Nippon Sharyo 1 August 2015 Fiscal 2015 batch
F3 Hitachi 3 September 2015
F4 3 November 2015
F5 Nippon Sharyo 17 February 2016
F6 15 April 2016[24] Fiscal 2016 batch
F7 Hitachi 29 May 2016[24]
F8 7 September 2016
F9 Nippon Sharyo 11 October 2016
F10 22 August 2017 Fiscal 2017 batch
F11 3 October 2017
F12 Hitachi 16 January 2018
F13 17 April 2018 Fiscal 2018 batch
F14 15 October 2018
F15 Nippon Sharyo 21 August 2018
F16 Hitachi 21 February 2019
F17 Nippon Sharyo 26 November 2018
F18 Hitachi 19 June 2019 Fiscal 2019 batch
F19 Nippon Sharyo 12 July 2019
F20 Hitachi 16 October 2019
F21 Nippon Sharyo 13 November 2019
F22 Hitachi 11 December 2019
F23 18 March 2020
F24 Nippon Sharyo 19 February 2020

16-car K sets (N700-5000 series "N700A")

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  • 16 x 16-car sets, K1–K16 (Converted from N700-3000 series)
 
JR-West N700-5000 series set K6, January 2016

These are JR-West trainsets modified from October 2013 from former N700 series N sets to incorporate some of the design improvements featured in the later N700A series sets.[25]

Former N sets

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The 16-car N sets were operated by JR-West on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen services. The first set, N1, was delivered in June 2007, entering service on 1 July 2007.[9] 16 sets were in service by April 2014.[9]

The fleet of 16 "N" sets subsequently underwent modifications at Hakata Depot between fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2015 to add improved braking systems and other features incorporated in the later N700A series sets.[25] Modified sets were re-designated "K" sets, with cars renumbered in the -5000 subseries.[25]

 
JR-West N700 series set N3 (now K3) on the Sanyo Shinkansen, April 2009

Formation

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The 16-car K sets are formed as follows.[9]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Tc M2 M'w M1 M1w M' M2k M1s M's M2s M'h M1 M1w M' M2w T'c
Numbering 783-5000 787-5000 786-5500 785-5000 785-5300 786-5000 787-5400 775-5000 776-5000 777-5000 786-5700 785-5600 785-5500 786-5200 787-5500 784-5000
Seating capacity 65 100 85 100 90 100 75 68 64 68 63 100 90 100 80 75
Facilities Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Conductor's compartment / AED Toilets / telephone Smoking room Toilets / multi-purpose compartment Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room / telephone  

Former N set formation

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The 16-car N sets were formed as follows.[9]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Tc M2 M'w M1 M1w M' M2k M1s M's M2s M'h M1 M1w M' M2w T'c
Numbering 783-3000 787-3000 786-3500 785-3000 785-3300 786-3000 787-3400 775-3000 776-3000 777-3000 786-3700 785-3600 785-3500 786-3200 787-3500 784-3000
Seating capacity 65 100 85 100 90 100 75 68 64 68 63 100 90 100 80 75
Facilities Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room Conductor's compartment / AED Toilets / telephone Smoking room Toilets / multi-purpose compartment Telephone Toilets   Toilets / smoking room / telephone  

Cars 5 and 12 each have one single-arm pantograph.[9]

Fleet list

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As of 1 April 2016, the JR-West N700A series fleet is as follows.[16]

Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered Date converted to N700A
K1 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 1 June 2007 19 December 2014
K2 10 July 2007 18 February 2015
K3 Nippon Sharyo 6 August 2007 13 March 2015
K4 9 October 2007 25 October 2013
K5 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 10 November 2007 18 December 2013
K6 13 September 2007 22 June 2015
K7 12 September 2007 4 September 2015
K8 Kinki Sharyo 31 January 2008 7 August 2014
K9 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 20 May 2008 7 March 2016
K10 17 November 2009 24 April 2014
K11 18 December 2009 11 December 2015
K12 Kinki Sharyo 28 January 2010 6 October 2014
K13 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 15 October 2009 12 March 2014
K14 28 February 2010 21 October 2014
K15 Hitachi 23 May 2010 19 November 2014
K16 14 December 2010 9 April 2015

8-car S sets (N700-7000 series)

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First N700-7000 series set, S1, on a test run on the Sanyo Shinkansen, April 2009
  • 19 x 8-car sets, S1–S19

The N700-7000 series variant are 8-car sets operated by JR-West on through-running Sakura and Mizuho services between Shin-Ōsaka and Kagoshima-Chūō on the Kyushu Shinkansen since 12 March 2011.[26] The pre-series set (S1) was delivered to Hakata Depot in October 2008. These trains do not feature the tilting mechanism of the earlier N700 trains, as they do not run on the Tokaido Shinkansen.[27]

External livery is shiraai (白藍) pale blue intended to evoke the colour of traditional porcelain with indigo and gold bodyside lining.[26]

Full-production JR-West sets were delivered to Hakata Depot from early April 2010.[28] The final S set, S19, was delivered to Hakata Depot in February 2012.[20]

Formation

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The 8-car S sets, S1–S19, are formed as follows.[9]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Designation Mc M1 M' M2 M2w M's M1h M'c
Numbering 781-7000 788-7000 786-7000 787-7000 787-7500 766-7000 788-7700 782-7000
Seating capacity 60 100 80 72 36+24 38 56

Cars 2 and 7 each have one single-arm pantograph.[9]

Interior

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These sets feature a Green car saloon in half of one car (car 6) consisting of 24 seats (6 rows) arranged in 2+2 abreast configuration with 480 mm (19 in) wide seats and a seat pitch of 1,160 mm (46 in). Cars 4 to 8 (including half of car 6) are designated as "reserved seating" cars with 2+2 abreast configuration, 465 mm wide seats and a seat pitch of 1,040 mm. Cars 1 to 3 are "non-reserved seating" cars with 2+3 abreast configuration, 440 mm wide seats (460 mm in middle of 3-seat row) and a seat pitch of 1,040 mm.[26]

Fleet list

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As of 1 April 2016, the fleet consists of 19 sets, all based at Hakata Shinkansen Depot.[16]

Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered
S1 Kawasaki/Kinki Sharyo/Nippon Sharyo 24 October 2008
S2 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 20 April 2010
S3 Nippon Sharyo 12 July 2010
S4 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 22 June 2010
S5 4 August 2010
S6 14 September 2010
S7 Kinki Sharyo 17 November 2010
S8 14 January 2011
S9 Nippon Sharyo 16 February 2011
S10 12 April 2011
S11 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 30 May 2011
S12 24 June 2011
S13 11 July 2011
S14 1 August 2011
S15 3 October 2011
S16 23 October 2011
S17 Nippon Sharyo 15 November 2011
S18 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 23 January 2012
S19 Hitachi 27 February 2012

8-car R sets (N700-8000 series)

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JR Kyushu N700-8000 series set R2, October 2015
  • 11 x 8-car sets, R1–R11

These are eleven 8-car N700 series sets operated by JR Kyushu alongside JR-West N700-7000 series "S" sets on through-running Sakura and Mizuho services between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chūō on the Kyushu Shinkansen since 12 March 2011.[9] External livery is identical to the N700-7000 series "S" sets.

The first set, R1, was delivered to Kumamoto Depot in July 2010.[29] Test running on the unopened section of the Kyushu Shinkansen began on 31 August 2010.[30]

Formation

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The 8-car R sets are formed as follows.[9]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Designation Mc M1 M' M2 M2w M's M1h M'c
Numbering 781-8000 788-8000 786-8000 787-8000 787-8500 766-8000 788-8700 782-8000
Seating capacity 60 100 80 72 36+24 38 56

Cars 2 and 7 each have one single-arm pantograph.[9]

Interior

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As with the JR-West N700-7000 series sets, the R sets feature a Green car saloon in half of one car (car 6) consisting of 24 seats (6 rows) arranged in 2+2 abreast configuration. Cars 4 to 8 (including half of car 6) are designated as "reserved seating" cars with 2+2 abreast configuration. Cars 1 to 3 are "non-reserved seating" cars with 2+3 abreast configuration.[31]

Fleet list

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As of 1 April 2016, the fleet consists of 11 sets, all based at Kumamoto Shinkansen Depot.[16]

Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered
R1 Hitachi 11 December 2010
R2 23 November 2010
R3 6 December 2010
R4 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 27 November 2010
R5 18 December 2010
R6 Hitachi 31 January 2011
R7 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 12 January 2011
R8 4 February 2011
R9 18 February 2011
R10 Kinki Sharyo 11 February 2011
R11 6 July 2012

N700-I Bullet

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This was a proposed export version of the N700 series design announced by JR Central Chairman Yoshiyuki Kasai at an international high-speed railway symposium held in Nagoya on 16 November 2009.[32] Nominally specified as an 8-car set with a maximum operating speed of 330 km/h (205 mph), the train can be configured in lengths from 6 to 16 cars to suit customer requirements.[33][34]

The same model was being considered in the developing HoustonDallas Texas Central Railway, before focus shifted to the N700S due to its inherently modular construction, and higher top speed.[35]

High-speed trials

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On 16 November 2009, JR Central conducted a late-night high-speed demonstration run using N700 series trainset Z0, recording a maximum speed of 332 km/h (206 mph) on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Maibara and Kyōto. The high-speed run was conducted as a demonstration for approximately 160 international guests attending a high-speed railway symposium in Nagoya.[36][37]

Incidents

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Fire damage and replacement

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Car 783-2059 (car 1) of JR Central set X59 was scrapped due to fire damage sustained in an arson attack occurring on 30 June 2015. A replacement car with the same running number was built by Nippon Sharyo in 2016.[38]

Discovery of cracked bogie

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On 11 December 2017, Car 785-5505 (car 13) of JR West set K5 (a 16-car N700A built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) was taken out of service at Nagoya Station after engineers confirmed an unusual burning smell.[39] The smell was detected at Kokura Station, but was ordered by the operational centre to continue service until Nagoya which JR West later admitted was a "big danger".[40][41] An on-site inspection revealed that the outer frame of the carriage had cracked and its underfloor carriage was leaking oil.[41] It was the first "serious incident" involving any Shinkansen, and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reported that the train could have derailed had it continued on service and the carriage frame broke.[39] An investigation by JR West implicated companies involved in the construction of the trainset, which included Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Electric.[40] The investigation revealed that at least 100 out of the 303 Kawasaki-made bogies were substandard due to improper welding preparations, which caused the base material of the bogies to become 4.7 mm (0.19 in) in thickness, instead of the required 7 mm (0.28 in) or more. Following the events JR West is planning to gradually replace all the bogies that were provided by Kawasaki.[42]

Overall fleet history

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The annual totals for the fleet sizes (number of vehicles as of 1 April each year) owned by JR Central, JR West, and JR Kyushu are as follows.[19]

Year JR Central JR West JR Kyushu Total
2005 16 0 0 16
2006 16 0 0 16
2007 16 0 0 16
2008 272 128 0 400
2009 528 152 0 680
2010 1,040 232 0 1,272
2011 1,040 328 80 1,448
2012 1,296 368 80 1,744
2013 1,392 408 88 1,888
2014 1,504 424 88 2,016
2015 1,600 424 88 2,112
2016 1,696 488 88 2,272
2017 1,808 552 88 2,448
2018 1,920 616 88 2,624
2019 2,016 680 88 2,784
2020 2,096 792 88 2,976
2021 1,952 792 88 2,832
2022 1,744 792 88 2,624

Preserved examples

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Preserved N700 unit X0, February 2020

On display at the SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya, from 17 July 2019:[43]

  • 783-9001 (ex-prototype set X0, built 2005 by Hitachi)
  • 775-9001 (ex-prototype set X0, built 2005 by Nippon Sharyo)
  • 786-9201 (ex-prototype set X0, built 2005 by Nippon Sharyo)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Nakajima, Yoshikatsu (13 June 2018). "Epic journey of 500 Series, bullet train with a nose for adventure". asahi.com. The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 10 September 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  2. ^ "N700系量産車" [N700 series production trains]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). No. 556. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. August 2007. pp. 13–20.
  3. ^ "Winter 2008/2009 Train Schedule Update (JR Central)" (PDF). 17 October 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
  4. ^ "N700 Series Delivery Schedule" (PDF). 26 September 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2007. [dead link]
  5. ^ Serkan Toto (9 March 2009). "Shinkansen bullet trains get wireless LAN with 2Mbps". Archived from the original on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  6. ^ Kinoshita, Kenji (17 October 2023). "東海道・山陽・九州新幹線の車内喫煙ルーム、2024年春にすべて廃止" [All smoking rooms on Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen trains will be abolished in spring 2024.]. MyNavi Corporation. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "JR西日本、N700系16両編成を8両編成化 - 500系は4編成を用途廃止に". MyNavi Corporation (in Japanese). 14 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  8. ^ "JR西日本のN700Sも個室を導入、2026年度から - N700系8両化も実施" [JR West's N700S to also introduce private compartments from 2026 - N700 series to be shortened to 8 cars]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p JR電車編成表 2015夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2015] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 20 May 2015. pp. 110–112, 128–129, 418–421. ISBN 978-4-330-56915-4.
  10. ^ N700Aのデザインについて [Details of N700A design] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Central Japan Railway Company. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  11. ^ 東海道・山陽新幹線車両 N700Aの概要及び投入計画について [Outline of N700A Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen trains] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Central Japan Railway Company. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  12. ^ a b "新形新幹線「N700A」" [New "N700A" Shinkansen]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52, no. 619. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 2012. pp. 42–46.
  13. ^ "JR東海 N700Aを追加投入" [JR Central to introduce additional N700As]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 21 February 2013. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  14. ^ N700Aの追加投入について 全ての東海道新幹線が「N700Aタイプ」になります [Details of additional N700A introductions - All Tokaido Shinkansen services to become N700A type] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Central Japan Railway Company. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  15. ^ "N700Aが試運転で東京へ" [N700A test run to Tokyo]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 16 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g JR電車編成表 2016夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2016] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 20 May 2016. pp. 110–111, 128–129, 209. ISBN 978-4-330-68216-7.
  17. ^ a b 東海道・山陽新幹線のラインアップ [Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen Lineup]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 53, no. 632. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. December 2013. pp. 12–13.
  18. ^ JR電車編成表 2009夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2009]. Japan: JRR. June 2009. ISBN 978-4-330-06909-8.
  19. ^ a b Ikeguchi, Eiji (December 2016). 700系新幹線の軌跡 [The 700 series trajectory]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56, no. 668. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 19, 26.
  20. ^ a b N700系Z80編成が搬入される [N700 series set Z80 delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  21. ^ 『JR電車編成表』2023冬 [JR EMU Formations - Winter 2023] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2023. ISBN 9784330067223.
  22. ^ "東海道・山陽新幹線車両 N700Aの追加投入" [Additional N700A series trains to be introduced on Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  23. ^ JR西日本,N700Aを15編成導入へ [JR West to introduce 15 more N700A sets]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 22 December 2016. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  24. ^ a b JR車両のうごき [JR rolling stock changes]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 45, no. 389. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. September 2016. p. 80.
  25. ^ a b c N700系0・3000番台を「N700A」タイプに改造 [N700-0 and N700-3000 series to be modified as "N700A" type]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 54, no. 633. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. January 2014. pp. 64–65.
  26. ^ a b c JR Kyushu: "新幹線の列車名決定!!" Archived 19 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 26 February 2009. (in Japanese)
  27. ^ Japan Railfan Magazine, December 2008 issue: "山陽・九州新幹線直通用車両 量産先行車", p. 64-67
  28. ^ JR-West press release: "山陽・九州新幹線直通用車両の量産車について" (23 March 2010) Archived 24 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 March 2010. (in Japanese)
  29. ^ "N700系8000番台が熊本総合車両基地に搬入される" [N700-8000 series set delivered to Kumamoto Depot]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Koyusha Co., Ltd. 5 July 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  30. ^ 九州新幹線,熊本—筑後船小屋間で試運転 [Test-running on Kyushu Shinkansen Between Kumamoto and Chikugo-Funagoya]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Koyusha Co., Ltd. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  31. ^ "N700系8000番台" [N700-8000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 50, no. 595. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 2010. pp. 58–59.
  32. ^ Kobayashi, Seiichi (8 December 2009), "Bullet train export a JR Tokai priority", Asahi Shimbun, retrieved 15 December 2009[dead link]
  33. ^ "About the N700-I Bullet Train". USJHSR. Archived from the original on 6 October 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  34. ^ Morimura, Tsutomu (13 January 2012). "Introduction of the N700-I Bullet Train, The World's Safest and Most Efficient High Speed Rail System" (PDF). jterc.or.jp. Japan Transport Research Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2016.
  35. ^ "The Project - Texas Central".
  36. ^ 東海道新幹線、332キロで試験運転 各国関係者にPR. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Japan. 17 November 2009. Archived from the original on 19 November 2009. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  37. ^ "Foreign rail interests given high-speed run". The Japan Times. Japan. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  38. ^ N700系X59編成 試運転 [N700 series set X59 test run] (in Japanese). Japan. 26 July 2016. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  39. ^ a b "Shinkansen halted in Nagoya after oil leak and cracked frame found". Japan Times. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  40. ^ a b Peter Wells and Leo Lewis. "Japan bullet train safety scare embroils manufacturers". 20 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  41. ^ a b "Outer frame under running bullet train was close to breaking". Asahi Shimbun. 20 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  42. ^ 品質不良で台車亀裂=鋼材削り、厚さ足りず-川重製、100台で基準未満・JR西. Jiji Press (in Japanese). 28 February 2018. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  43. ^ リニア・鉄道館 N700系車両の展示について [N700 series shinkansen exhibit at SCMaglev and Railway Park] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Central Japan Railway Company. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
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