E3 Series Shinkansen

E3 Series Shinkansen
Set L55 in November 2023
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Tokyu Car Corporation
Designer(s)	Kenji Ekuan
Type of locomotive	Electric multiple unit
Family name	Mini-Shinkansen
Constructed	1995 – 2009
Number built	261 cars (41 sets)
Dimensions	789 – 908 in (20,050 – 23,070 mm) (end cars) × 116 in (2,945 mm) × 160.6 in (4,080 mm)
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	20/25 kV AC (50 Hz)
Traction system	Variable frequency (GTO, IGBT)
Traction system model	Hitachi CI5 (GTO) Hitachi CI5A (GTO) Hitachi (model number unknown) (IGBT)
Service information
In service	22 March 1997 – Present
Formation	6 or 7 cars per set
Number in service	139 cars (21 sets)
Fleet numbers	R1 – R26, L51 – L55, L61 – L72
Scrapped	2013 – Present
Preservation information
Preserved	Unknown
Number scrapped	122 cars (20 sets)

The E3 Series Shinkansen is a Japanese high-speed electric multiple unit operated by the East Japan Railway Company since March 1997.

Design

Very similar in design requirements to the 400 Series, the E3 was designed to be narrower and lighter than main-line Shinkansen sets for the Akita Shinkansen, which was upgraded and regauged to fit the rest of the Shinkansen network by 1997.

From 2024, the E3 series sets are expected to be replaced by the E8 Series Shinkansen sets. The remaining sets are expected to be retired by around spring 2026. One set is expected to be converted around fall 2025 at Morioka Works to exclusively carry freight; it will be operated in conjunction with an E5 Series Shinkansen set.

Variants

The first E3 Series to be made was a pre-production unit numbered S8. This 5-car set was delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, in March 1995 for testing. By March 1997 it was modified to production standards and renumbered R1; set R1 was withdrawn on 20 July 2013.

E3 Series sets

These 5-car sets, later modified to 6-car sets in 1998, were the first production sets. They were numbered R1 to R26, and produced between 1996 and 2005. Cars 12 and 15 hold the pantographs. As of February 2017, only four sets (R18, R19, R21, R22), of which two remain unmodified, remain in service; all other sets have been retired and scrapped.

E3-1000 sets

Three of these 7-car sets were built between 1999 and 2005. Numbered L51-55, the sets operate on the Yamagata line. Cars 12 and 14 hold the pantographs. Set L54 was converted from sets R24 and R25, while set L55 was converted from sets R23 and R26; sets L51 and L52 were removed from service in 2014 and 2015 respectively and scrapped.

E3-2000 sets

These 7-car sets were built between 2008 and 2010. Numbered L61 to 72 they are to have replaced the 400 Series completely by 2009. Cars 12 and 14 hold the pantographs.

Toreiyu Shinkansen

This six-car excursion set was converted from set R18 and entered service on 25 June 2014. With the exterior design done by Ken Okuyama, the train can seat 143; car 11 has standard 2+2 abreast reserved seating, cars 12 to 14 have tatami (Japanese-style mats) seating, car 15 acts as a lounge car with a bar counter and car 16 has ashiyu foot baths. The set entered service on 19 July 2014 and ran Toreiyu Tsubasa services on the Yamagata Shinkansen during the weekends; it was withdrawn from service on 27 March 2022 due to aging.

Genbi Shinkansen

This six-car excursion set was converted from set R19 and entered service on 29 April 2016. The exterior design was done by Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa. Car 11 has standard 2+2 abreast reserved seating with art by Nao Matsumoto made of yellow motifs with window shades having a special dye that displays art as the train passes through tunnels. Car 12 is an art gallery space with art by Yusuke Komuta, with stainless steel mirrors on the walls that reflect the outside landscape. Car 13 has a small cafeteria and a children's play area, with art on the walls done by Art Unit Paramodel which resembles Tomica Plarail tracks, with the cafe area being designed by Kentaro Kobuke. Cars 14 to 16 are all art gallery spaces; car 14 showcases an alpine photography exhibition as taken by Naoki Ishikawa, car 15 showcases an abstract flower arrangement artpiece by Haruka Koujin that vibrates with the train's motion, and car 16 showcases a short film by Brian Alfred depicting Niigata's scenery. This set entered service on 29 April 2016; the set ran on the Jōetsu Shinkansen and was mostly used during the weekends, but was withdrawn on 20 December 2020 due to aging of the train. All cars have since been scrapped, although there are plans to sell various furniture that was present on the train such as sofas through public auctions.

Variations

Set L55 in November 2017

Pre-production set R1 in July 2013

Set R22 in February 2017

E3-1000 Series set L51 in April 2011

E3-2000 Series set L64 in February 2009

E3-2000 Series set L70 in October 2016

Toreiyu E3-700 Series set R18 on a trial run in July 2014

Genbi Shinkansen E3-700 Series set R19 on a trial run in May 2016

E3 Series Komachi when coupled with Tokyo-Bound Hayate E5 Series set U6 apporaching Omiya Station

Specifications

• Built: 1995-2010
• Builder: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Tokyu Car Corporation
• Number built: 41 sets
• Formation: 6 to 7 cars per set
• Capacity (people): R sets: 338 (315 standard + 23 Green (luxury) class),
  E3-1000 sets: 402 (379 standard + 23 Green (luxury) class),
  E3-2000 sets: 394 (371 standard + 23 Green (luxury) class)
• Car body construction: Aluminum
• Car length: 65 ft 9 in to 75 ft 8 in (20,050 mm to 23,070 mm)
• Width: 9 ft 8 in (2,945 mm)
• Maximum speed: 171 mph (275 km/h) (Tohoku line), 81 mph (130 km/h) (Akita/Yamagata lines)
• Electrical system: 20/25 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead wires
• Collection method: Pantograph
• Gauge: 4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)

References

• Wikipedia.org