800 series
800 Series Shinkansen Tsubame at Shin-Minamata Station in November 2004
In service13 March 2004; 19 years ago (2004-03-13) – Present
ManufacturerHitachi
DesignerEiji Mitooka
Number built54 vehicles (9 sets)
Number in service48 vehicles (8 sets)
Number scrapped6 vehicles (set U005, earthquake damage)
Formation6 cars per trainset
Fleet numbersU001–U009
CapacityOriginal sets: 392 (Standard class only), New sets: 384
OperatorsJR Kyushu
DepotsKumamoto
Lines servedKyushu Shinkansen
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Car length25 m (82 ft 0 in) (intermediate cars)
27.35 m (89 ft 9 in) (end cars)
Width3,380 mm (11 ft 1 in)
Height3,650 mm (12 ft 0 in)
Maximum speed260 km/h (160 mph)
Acceleration2.5 km/(h⋅s) (1.6 mph/s)
Electric system(s)25 kV AC, 60 Hz overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Safety system(s)KS-ATC
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The 800 series (800系) is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) on the Kyushu Shinkansen high-speed rail line. Built by Hitachi, the trains were introduced on the all-stops Tsubame services from March 2004.

The 800 series has a maximum speed of 260 km/h (162 mph) in service, although its maximum design speed is 285 km/h (177 mph). It was one of the two recipients of the 45th Laurel Prize awarded by the Japan Railfan Club in 2005.

It abandoned the 700's "duckbill" nose in favor of a sharper nose. The livery is white, with a red stripe.

Following the opening of the entire Kyushu Shinkansen route on 12 March 2011, 800 series trains were primarily used on all-stations Tsubame services operating mostly between Hakata and Kumamoto. They also operate some Sakura services within the Kyushu Shinkansen.[1]

Formation

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Designation Msc Mp M2w M2 Mpw Mc
Numbering 821 826 827 827-100 826-100 822-100
Seating capacity 46 80 72 66 56

Cars 2 and 5 are equipped with PS207K single-arm pantographs.[2]

Build history

Set number Date delivered[2] Withdrawn
U001 30 August 2003
U002 16 September 2003
U003 6 October 2003
U004 11 December 2003
U005 28 December 2003 16 March 2018
U006 18 July 2005

The first set, set U001, was delivered on 30 August 2003 (approximately seven months ahead of the opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen between Shin-Yatsushiro and Kagoshima-Chūō), with the last set, set U006, being delivered on 18 July 2005. Set U005 was withdrawn on 16 March 2018 following damage sustained from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes' 14 April foreshock.

Interior

As the Kyushu Shinkansen runs a large portion in tunnels, designers paid special attention to the interior design of the 800 series to create a more pleasant travel experience. More traditional materials and design features are used to embody Kyushu's warm and natural environment.

Persimmon tannin colour is used for the walls, ancient lacquer for the doors, and Kyushu traditional rope curtain from Yatsushiroigusa for the lavatory are used. The seats are made of wood versus metal/plastic combinations from previous trains and the cushions are produced using Nishijin textiles. Window curtains are produced from prunus serrulata,[3] and interior flooring is also made of wood.[4]

Seating is four abreast (2 by 2), with wheelchair-accessible seating and lavatory facilities in two of the six cars.

800 series interior

New 800 series

New 800 series set U007 in April 2011

JR Kyushu announced in December 2008 that three new 800 series sets would be delivered between summer 2009 and autumn 2010, ahead of the completion of the entire Kyushu Shinkansen route between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chūō in 2011.[5] The first of the new batch, set U007, was delivered in June 2009,[6] and entered service on 22 August 2009.[7] Externally, the new sets feature minor livery changes regarding the red stripe, and internally, each car features different colour seat covers.[8] Sets U007 and U009 include track condition monitoring equipment and are numbered in the 800–1000 series, while set U008 features overhead wire and signal monitoring equipment and is numbered in the 800–2000 series.[9]

Formation

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Designation Msc Mp M2w M2 Mpw Mc
Numbering 821-1000 826-1000 827-1000 827-1100 826-1100 822-1100
Seating capacity 46 80 72 72 58 56

Cars 2 and 5 are equipped with PS207K single-arm pantographs.[2]

Build history

Set number Date delivered[2] Remarks
U007 8 August 2009 -
U008 19 March 2010 Cars numbered 8xx-2xxx
U009 24 November 2010 -

Interior

See also

References

  • JR全車輌ハンドブック2006 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2006]. Japan: Neko Publishing. 2006. ISBN 4-7770-0453-8.
  1. ^ 平成23年春ダイヤ改正 [Spring 2011 timetable revision] (Press release) (in Japanese). JR Kyushu. 17 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 December 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d JR電車編成表 2012夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2012]. Japan: JRR. May 2012. ISBN 978-4-330-28612-9.
  3. ^ ぼくは「つばめ」のデザイナー 九州新幹線800系 誕生物語. Japan: Kodansha. 2004. p. 71. ISBN 4-06-212532-3.
  4. ^ "懐九州新幹線つばめ / 800系新幹線電車" Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 May 2009.(in Japanese)
  5. ^ "懐かしくて新しいインターナショナルな新800系の誕生" (17 December 2008) Archived 20 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 December 2008.(in Japanese)
  6. ^ Japan Railfan Magazine: "新800系が川内に到着" (New 800 series arrives at Sendai) (24 June 2009). Retrieved 26 June 2009. (in Japanese)
  7. ^ Japan Railfan Magazine: "新800系，8月22日に営業運転を開始" (New 800 series to enter revenue service on 22 August) (3 August 2009). Retrieved on 4 August 2009. (in Japanese)
  8. ^ Rail Magazine: "新800系第１編成が完成。" (2 August 2009) Archived 6 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 5 August 2009 (in Japanese)
  9. ^ 新８００系登場 (New 800 series). Japan Railfan Magazine. Japan: Koyusha. 49 (582): 75–81. October 2009.

External links

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