KiYa E991 series

KiYa E991 series
KuMoYa E995-1 in December 2015
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Tokyu Car Corporation
Type of locomotive	Hybrid multiple unit
Constructed	2003
Number built	1 car
Dimensions	20,000 mm x 2,800 mm x 4,052 mm
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Power supply	Pantograph
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Traction system	Variable frequency (IGBT)
Service information
In service	6 May 2003 – 18 December 2019
Branding	NE Train
Formation	Single car
Number in service	None
Fleet numbers	KuMoYa E995-1 (originally KiYa E991-1)
Scrapped	2020
Preservation information
Preserved	None
Number scrapped	1 car

The KiYa E991 series was a Japanese non-revenue hybrid multiple unit operated by the East Japan Railway Company from May 2003 to December 2019.

History

The KiYa E991 series car was configured to be the world's first hybrid diesel-battery-electric hybrid railcar. One car, numbered KiYa E991-1, was produced by Tokyu Car Corporation in April 2003; it was branded the NE Train (styled ne@train). KiYa E991-1 began operations in May 2003 on the Nikkō and Karasuyama Lines. During this time, KiYa E991-1 was based at Utsunomiya General Rolling Stock Center.

From 2006, KiYa E991 underwent further modifications and renumbered KuMoYa E995-1 to become the world's first fuel cell-powered battery hybrid multiple unit. After it was deregistered in 2007, KuMoYa E995-1 would be tested around the Nagano area from 2007 to 2008 and was based at Nagano General Rolling Stock Center. Further modifications were made to KuMoYa E995-1 in 2009, with the car sent back to Tokyu Car's Yokohama Works to become a battery-electric railcar.

After these modifications, KuMoYa E995-1 was reregistered to JR East's fleet roster in February 2010, rebranded NE Train Smart Denchi-kun, moved to Ōyama Rolling Stock Center and tested around various lines, such as the Utsunomiya and Karasuyama Lines. The program entered its final phase in early 2012, with a recharging facility built at Karasuyama Station allowing the train to recharge. After ending of its tests, the train was stored at Ōyama Rolling Stock Center but occasionally would venture out for further tests or be shown off at events.

KuMoYa E995-1 would be towed out of Ōyama Rolling Stock Center on 18 December 2019 and stored at Nagano General Rolling Stock Center. After some months in storage KuMoYa E995-1 was scrapped on 19 February 2020.

Data obtained from the tests of the car in its various guises would be used to design and produce the KiHa E200 series and EV-E301 series sets on various JR East lines. There has not been any attempt at mass production of fuel cell multiple units, although JR East has been testing the FV-E991 series fuel cell multiple unit since March 2022.

Design

The KiYa E991 series car feature a squared-off design with top-mounted round headlights. The body design is based on the E127-100 series cars.

Specifications

Construction was of stainless steel.

When originally built, the car featured small lithium-ion batteries and high-powered cells, as with a hybrid automobile; this powered three DM927 diesel generators. When rebuilt as KuMoYa E995-1, the car was fitted with six hydrogen tanks and lithium-ion batteries with increased capacity compared to its previous iteration, powering the car's traction motors. The fuel cell was removed in 2009 and replaced with a pantograph and four lithium-ion storage batteries in its third and final incarnation; one of the batteries was moved under the passenger seats in 2011. Recharging of the batteries was done through the pantograph via an overhead conductor bar. A 10-minute charge gave a range of about 20 km (12 mi).