E1 Series Shinkansen

E1 Series Shinkansen
Set M6 in September 2012
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Designer(s)	Tetsuo Fukuda
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Constructed	1994 – 1995
Number built	72 cars (6 sets)
Dimensions	1026 in (26,050 mm) (end cars) × 135 in (3,430 mm) × 177 in (4,493 mm)
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	25 kV AC (50 Hz)
Traction system	Variable frequency (GTO)
Service information
In service	15 July 1994 – 28 October 2012
Branding	Double Decker Shinkansen Max
Formation	12 cars per set
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	M1 – M6
Refurbished	2003 – 2006
Scrapped	2012
Preservation information
Preserved	1 car
Number scrapped	71 cars

The E1 Series Shinkansen is a Japanese high-speed double deck electric multiple unit operated by the East Japan Railway Company from July 1994 to October 2012. These were the first double deck Shinkansen models in service.

History

The first E1 set, numbered M1, was delivered in 1994 to JR East for use decongesting the busiest lines. The sets were refurbished starting in late 2003. After refurbishment they also received a new paint scheme and new bodyside logos; they received even newer bodyside logos in August 2012, just a month or so before their retirement, to celebrate the rare hatching of ibis chicks in the wild. The E1s were retired from regular service in September 2012, and were retired altogether in December 2012. These were the last Shinkansen trains in service to feature steel bodies.

Specifications

• Built: 1994-1995
• Builder(s): Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
• Number built: 6 sets
• Formation: 12 cars per trainset
• Car body construction: Steel
• Car length: 82 ft (25,000 mm) (middle cars), 85 ft 6 in (26,050 mm) (head/tail cars)
• Width: 11 ft 3 in (3,430 mm)
• Height: 14 ft 9 in (4,493 mm)
• Maximum speed: 150 mph (240 km/h)
• Power: 13,200 hp (9.84 MW)
• Electrical system: 25 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead wires
• Collection method: Pantograph (Cars 6 and 10 hold the pantographs.)
• Gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)

Preservation

The following E1 Series Shinkansen cars have been preserved:

Car number	Manufacturer	Date manufactured	Date retired	Previous sets	Location	Notes
E153-104	Hitachi	October 1995	October 2012	M4	The Railway Museum, Saitama, Japan	Ex-M4, last operational set, displayed outdoors; stored at Niigata Shinkansen Depot until 2017

Gallery

M set at Takasaki Station

References

• Wikipedia.org