N2000 series

N2000 series
Consist led by 2460 in August 2023
Technical specifications
Manufacturer(s)	Fuji Heavy Industries
Type of locomotive	Diesel multiple unit
Constructed	1995 – 1998
Number built	16 cars
Dimensions	21,300 mm × 2,839 mm × 3,385 mm
Gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Prime mover	Komatsu SA6D125-H1 prime mover
Service information
In service	1 October 1997 – Present
Branding	Shikoku Pendulum High Speed Train
Formation	2 – 5 cars per set
Number in service	16 cars
Fleet numbers	2424 – 2429, 2458 – 2463, 2520 – 2523

The N2000 series, branded the Shikoku Pendulum High-Speed Train, is a tilting Japanese limited express diesel multiple unit operated by the Shikoku Railway Company since October 1997.

History

The N2000 series sets were built from 1995 as an improved variant of the 2000 series sets. The trains were co-developed with the Railway Technology Research Institute.

Sixteen cars were built by Fuji Heavy Industries (now known as Subaru Corporation); the first set, pre-production two-car set 2424, was delivered in 1995, with the first full-production delivered over the next few years; the sets first entered service on 1 October 1997 to help with the end-of-year rush.

The cars are based at Matsuyama Depot. Initially used on Uzushio, Ashizuri, Nanpū and Shimanto services, the N2000 series cars are now virtually exclusively used on the Uwakai service.

Design

The N2000 series cars uses a different body design when compared to other diesel multiple units of the era; the design of the sets is also very different compared to the 2000 series sets they are based on; on the other hand, the pre-production N2000 series set resembles the 2000 series sets greatly.

When originally manufactured, the pre-production set had a somewhat similar paintjob to the 2000 series sets, albeit in a slightly different color scheme. The Shikoku Pendulum High-Speed Train branding is prominently seen splashed on the front and sides in white. The pre-production set has N2000 branding splashed on the sides of the cars near the front.

Cab variations

There are two cab variations of the 2000 series sets; one of which is used on full-production sets and the other is used on pre-production sets.

Pre-series set

Original color scheme for pre-series set

Specifications

Construction is of stainless steel. Cars are 21.3 meters long, 2.839 meters wide and 3.385 meters high. The cars use Komatsu SA6D125-H1 prime movers that produce 350 PS (345 HP, 257 kW) each.

The sets use an inertial tilting mechanism that is controlled by a computer. The system allows them to tilt up to five degrees around curves.