25 m (82 ft 0 in) (intermediate cars) 27.35 m (89 ft 9 in) (end cars)
Width
3.36 m (11 ft 0 in)
Height
3.6 m (11 ft 10 in), (middle cars and connectors of end cars) (without rooftop equipment)
3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) (end cars excluding connector with middle cars)
Maximum speed
285 km/h (177 mph) (Tokaido) 300 km/h (186 mph) (Sanyo) 260 km/h (162 mph) (Kyushu)
N700 series trains have a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), and tilting of up to one degree allows the trains to maintain 270 km/h (168 mph), even on 2,500 m (8,202 ft) radius curves that previously had a maximum speed of 255 km/h (158 mph). Another feature of the N700 is that it accelerates more quickly than the older 700 series Shinkansen trains, with a maximum acceleration rate of 2.6 km/h/s (0.72 m/s2). This enables it to reach 270 km/h (170 mph) in only three minutes. Further advancements led to the development of the N700A, an incremental evolution of the N700. N700A trains can reach 285 km/h (177 mph) on 3,000 m (9,843 ft) curves, allowing the maximum operating speed on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen to be raised to 285 km/h (177 mph). All N700 series sets have been retrofitted with most of the improvements added to the N700A series, and are now classified as "N700A".
Because of these improvements, trains can travel between Tokyo and Osaka on a Nozomi run in as little as 2 hours and 22 minutes on the fastest service (8 minutes faster than before).
A new train, the N700S, entered service in 2020 with plans to eventually replace all N700-series trains. The first four sets began operation on 1 July 2020.
Operations
N700 series trains gradually replaced 300, 500 and 700 series sets on Nozomi services, and by the end of February 2009, the N700 series were responsible for 74 Nozomi services per day.[3] All Nozomi through runs (over the full route between Tokyo and Hakata) were scheduled to use the N700 series exclusively by 2009. From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012, all regularly scheduled Nozomi services, including runs limited only to the Tokaido Shinkansen, were operated by N700 series sets.[4]
Since 4 March 2017, the N700 is also used on regularly scheduled Hikari services during the day, as well as all Kodama trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen, since March 2020.
Since March 2009, the N700 series trains have been equipped with wireless internet available for use between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.[5]
Future plans
In an announcement by JR Central, JR West, and JR Kyushu made on 17 October 2023, the companies stated that all onboard smoking rooms on the Tokaido, San'yo, and Kyushu Shinkansen trains would be abolished by Q2 2024.[6]
N700-3000 LED display
N700-8000 LED display
Variants
N700-0 series: 80 x 16-car "Z" sets owned by JR Central, introduced from 1 July 2007 and all converted to N700-2000 series "N700A" by August 2015
N700-1000 series "N700A": 51 x 16-car "G" sets owned by JR Central, introduced from 8 February 2013
N700-2000 series "N700A": 80 x 16-car "X" sets owned by JR Central, modified from original "Z" sets between 2013 and 2015
N700-3000 series: 16 x 16-car "N" sets owned by JR-West, introduced from 1 July 2007 and all converted to N700-5000 series "N700A" by March 2016
N700-4000 series "N700A": 24 x 16-car "F" sets owned by JR-West, introduced from December 2013
N700-5000 series "N700A": 16 x 16-car "K" sets owned by JR-West, modified from original "N" sets from October 2013
N700-7000 series: 19 x 8-car "S" sets owned by JR-West, introduced from 12 March 2011
N700-8000 series: 11 x 8-car "R" sets owned by JR Kyushu, introduced from 12 March 2011
N700-9000 series: Prototype 16-car set Z0 owned by JR Central, later redesignated X0 and retired in 2019
16-car G sets (N700-1000 series "N700A")
Set G15, December 2015
The N700-1000 series, or "N700A" (with "A" standing for "Advanced"), is a new version of the N700 series design delivered from August 2012, and entering revenue service from 8 February 2013.[7]
The new version is externally identical to the existing N700 series sets, with the addition of new "N700A" logos on each odd-numbered car.[8] The new trains include modified brake discs, bogie vibration detection, and ATC improvements.[9]
Six "G" sets were scheduled to be introduced during fiscal 2012, replacing older 700 series sets, with seven more sets introduced during fiscal 2013.[10] A further 18 sets are on order by JR Central, to be delivered six sets per year between fiscal 2014 and 2016 at a cost of 88 billion yen.[11] In October 2015, JR Central announced that it had ordered a further 20 N700A series sets to be delivered between fiscal 2016 and 2019, replacing all of the remaining 700 series trains sets on Tokaido Shinkansen services.[12]
The first set, G1, was delivered to Hamamatsu in August 2012, with test running commencing on the Tokaido Shinkansen the following month.[13]
Logo on the side of car 9, February 2013
Formation
The 16-car G sets are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Shin-Osaka (western) end and car 16 at the Tokyo (eastern) end.[14]
JR Central N700-2000 series set X50, September 2014
81 x 16-car sets, X0–X80 (converted from N700-0 series)
These are former N700 series Z sets modified between 2013 and August 2015 to incorporate some of the design improvements featured in the later N700A series sets. Cars are renumbered in the -2000 subseries, with the exception of set X0, which is still numbered in the -9000 subseries. The sets are also identified by the addition of a small "A" added to the right of the bodyside "N700" logos.[15]
The prototype 16-car train (Z0) was delivered in March 2005 for extensive testing and endurance running. Cars 1 to 4 were built by Hitachi, cars 5 to 14 were built by Nippon Sharyo, and cars 15 and 16 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.[16] It was initially fitted with two auxiliary headlights located below the nose.[17]
The first full-production Z set (Z1) was delivered to JR Central in April 2007, and trains entered revenue service on 1 July 2007, with eight daily Nozomi service runs. The final Z set, Z80, was delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in February 2012.[18]
From fiscal 2013, the fleet of Z sets underwent modifications to incorporate some of the improvements featured in the later N700A series sets. Modified sets were re-designated "X" sets, with cars renumbered in the -2000 subseries. The modified sets are also identified by the addition of a small "A" added to the right of the bodyside "N700" logos.[15] The first original "Z" set, set Z65, was modified to become set X65 in May 2013, with the last original "Z" set, set Z4, modified to become set X4 in August 2015.[14]
The prototype set Z0 was used as a JR Central test train with cars numbered in the -9000 series, and was not used in revenue service. It was renumbered set X0 in 2014, but the car numbers remained in the -9000 subseries.[7] The set was officially withdrawn from service in February 2019.[citation needed]
Withdrawals of N700 series X sets commenced in July 2020, beginning with set X12.[citation needed]
The modified logo on the side of set X6, August 2013
Former Z sets
Set Z15, June 2008
The original "N700" logo, February 2011
N700 series prototype set Z0 on a test run at Hamamatsu, January 2006
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (April 2020)
These are N700A series sets owned by JR-West and classified N700-4000 series, with one set (set F1) delivered in November 2013 and entering revenue service from 8 February 2014.[7] A further four sets were delivered each in fiscal 2015 (sets F2 to F5) and fiscal 2016 (sets F6 to F9),[20] followed by three in fiscal 2017 (sets F10 to F12), five in fiscal 2018 (sets F13 to F17), and seven in fiscal 2019 (sets F18 to F24).[21]
16 x 16-car sets, K1–K16 (Converted from N700-3000 series)
JR-West N700-5000 series set K6, January 2016
These are JR-West trainsets modified from October 2013 from former N700 series N sets to incorporate some of the design improvements featured in the later N700A series sets.[23]
Former N sets
The 16-car N sets were operated by JR-West on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen services. The first set, N1, was delivered in June 2007, entering service on 1 July 2007.[7] 16 sets were in service by April 2014.[7]
The fleet of 16 "N" sets subsequently underwent modifications at Hakata Depot between fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2015 to add improved braking systems and other features incorporated in the later N700A series sets.[23] Modified sets were re-designated "K" sets, with cars renumbered in the -5000 subseries.[23]
JR-West N700 series set N3 (now K3) on the Sanyo Shinkansen, April 2009
The logo on the side of car 13 of N700-3000 series set N7 (now K7), May 2009
First N700-7000 series set, S1, on a test run on the Sanyo Shinkansen, April 2009
19 x 8-car sets, S1–S19
The N700-7000 series variant are 8-car sets operated by JR-West on through-running Sakura and Mizuho services between Shin-Ōsaka and Kagoshima-Chūō on the Kyushu Shinkansen since 12 March 2011.[24] The pre-series set (S1) was delivered to Hakata Depot in October 2008. These trains do not feature the tilting mechanism of the earlier N700 trains, as they do not run on the Tokaido Shinkansen.[25]
External livery is shiraai (白藍) pale blue intended to evoke the colour of traditional porcelain with indigo and gold bodyside lining.[24]
Full-production JR-West sets were delivered to Hakata Depot from early April 2010.[26] The final S set, S19, was delivered to Hakata Depot in February 2012.[18]
Formation
The 8-car S sets, S1–S19, are formed as follows.[7]
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Designation
Mc
M1
M'
M2
M2w
M's
M1h
M'c
Numbering
781-7000
788-7000
786-7000
787-7000
787-7500
766-7000
788-7700
782-7000
Seating capacity
60
100
80
72
36+24
38
56
Cars 2 and 7 each have one single-arm pantograph.[7]
781-7000 (Car 1)
788-7000 (Car 2)
786-7000 (Car 3)
787-7000 (Car 4)
787-7500 (Car 5)
766-7000 (Car 6)
788-7700 (Car 7)
782-7000 (Car 8)
Interior
These sets feature a Green car saloon in half of one car (car 6) consisting of 24 seats (6 rows) arranged in 2+2 abreast configuration with 480 mm (19 in) wide seats and a seat pitch of 1,160 mm (46 in). Cars 4 to 8 (including half of car 6) are designated as "reserved seating" cars with 2+2 abreast configuration, 465 mm wide seats and a seat pitch of 1,040 mm. Cars 1 to 3 are "non-reserved seating" cars with 2+3 abreast configuration, 440 mm wide seats (460 mm in middle of 3-seat row) and a seat pitch of 1,040 mm.[24]
N700-7000 series standard-class non-reserved car seating, April 2011
N700-7000 series standard-class reserved car seating, August 2011
A smoking room
Fleet list
As of 1 April 2016[update], the fleet consists of 19 sets, all based at Hakata Shinkansen Depot.[14]
These are eleven 8-car N700 series sets operated by JR Kyushu alongside JR-West N700-7000 series "S" sets on through-running Sakura and Mizuho services between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chūō on the Kyushu Shinkansen since 12 March 2011.[7] External livery is identical to the N700-7000 series "S" sets.
The first set, R1, was delivered to Kumamoto Depot in July 2010.[27] Test running on the unopened section of the Kyushu Shinkansen began on 31 August 2010.[28]
Cars 2 and 7 each have one single-arm pantograph.[7]
Interior
As with the JR-West N700-7000 series sets, the R sets feature a Green car saloon in half of one car (car 6) consisting of 24 seats (6 rows) arranged in 2+2 abreast configuration. Cars 4 to 8 (including half of car 6) are designated as "reserved seating" cars with 2+2 abreast configuration. Cars 1 to 3 are "non-reserved seating" cars with 2+3 abreast configuration.[29]
Green class seating saloon, September 2011
Reserved car with 2+2 abreast seating, September 2011
Interior of a smoking room
Fleet list
As of 1 April 2016[update], the fleet consists of 11 sets, all based at Kumamoto Shinkansen Depot.[14]
This was a proposed export version of the N700 series design announced by JR Central Chairman Yoshiyuki Kasai at an international high-speed railway symposium held in Nagoya on 16 November 2009.[30] Nominally specified as an 8-car set with a maximum operating speed of 330 km/h (205 mph), the train can be configured in lengths from 6 to 16 cars to suit customer requirements.[31][32]
The same model was being considered in the developing Houston–DallasTexas Central Railway, before focus shifted to the N700S due to its inherently modular construction, and higher top speed.[33]
High-speed trials
On 16 November 2009, JR Central conducted a late-night high-speed demonstration run using N700 series trainset Z0, recording a maximum speed of 332 km/h (206 mph) on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Maibara and Kyōto. The high-speed run was conducted as a demonstration for approximately 160 international guests attending a high-speed railway symposium in Nagoya.[34][35]
Incidents
Fire damage and replacement
Car 783-2059 (car 1) of JR Central set X59 was scrapped due to fire damage sustained in an arson attack occurring on 30 June 2015. A replacement car with the same running number was built by Nippon Sharyo in 2016.[36]
Discovery of cracked bogie
On 11 December 2017, Car 785-5505 (car 13) of JR West set K5 (a 16-car N700A built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries) was taken out of service at Nagoya Station after engineers confirmed an unusual burning smell.[37] The smell was detected at Kokura Station, but was ordered by the operational centre to continue service until Nagoya which JR West later admitted was a "big danger".[38][39] An on-site inspection revealed that the outer frame of the carriage had cracked and its underfloor carriage was leaking oil.[39] It was the first "serious incident" involving any Shinkansen, and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reported that the train could have derailed had it continued on service and the carriage frame broke.[37] An investigation by JR West implicated companies involved in the construction of the trainset, which included Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Electric.[38] The investigation revealed that at least 100 out of the 303 Kawasaki-made bogies were substandard due to improper welding preparations, which caused the base material of the bogies to become 4.7 mm (0.19 in) in thickness, instead of the required 7 mm (0.28 in) or more. Following the events JR West is planning to gradually replace all the bogies that were provided by Kawasaki.[40]
Overall fleet history
The annual totals for the fleet sizes (number of vehicles as of 1 April each year) owned by JR Central, JR West, and JR Kyushu are as follows.[17]
Year
■ JR Central
■ JR West
■ JR Kyushu
Total
2005
16
0
0
16
2006
16
0
0
16
2007
16
0
0
16
2008
272
128
0
400
2009
528
152
0
680
2010
1,040
232
0
1,272
2011
1,040
328
80
1,448
2012
1,296
368
80
1,744
2013
1,392
408
88
1,888
2014
1,504
424
88
2,016
2015
1,600
424
88
2,112
2016
1,696
488
88
2,272
2017
1,808
552
88
2,448
2018
1,920
616
88
2,624
2019
2,016
680
88
2,784
2020
2,096
792
88
2,976
2021
1,952
792
88
2,832
2022
1,744
792
88
2,624
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
^Kinoshita, Kenji (17 October 2023). "東海道・山陽・九州新幹線の車内喫煙ルーム、2024年春にすべて廃止" [All smoking rooms on Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen trains will be abolished in spring 2024.]. MyNavi Corporation. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
^ abcdefghijklmnop JR電車編成表 2015夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2015] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 20 May 2015. pp. 110–112, 128–129, 418–421. ISBN978-4-330-56915-4.
^Ｎ７００Ａのデザインについて [Details of N700A design] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Central Japan Railway Company. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
^東海道・山陽新幹線車両 Ｎ７００Ａの概要及び投入計画について [Outline of N700A Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen trains] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Central Japan Railway Company. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
^ ab"新形新幹線「N700A」" [New "N700A" Shinkansen]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52, no. 619. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 2012. pp. 42–46.
^"JR東海 N700Aを追加投入" [JR Central to introduce additional N700As]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
^Ｎ７００Ａの追加投入について 全ての東海道新幹線が「Ｎ７００Ａタイプ」になります [Details of additional N700A introductions - All Tokaido Shinkansen services to become N700A type] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Central Japan Railway Company. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
^"N700Aが試運転で東京へ" [N700A test run to Tokyo]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 16 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
^ abcdefg JR電車編成表 2016夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2016] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 20 May 2016. pp. 110–111, 128–129, 209. ISBN978-4-330-68216-7.
^ ab 東海道・山陽新幹線のラインアップ [Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen Lineup]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 53, no. 632. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. December 2013. pp. 12–13.
^ abIkeguchi, Eiji (December 2016). 700系新幹線の軌跡 [The 700 series trajectory]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56, no. 668. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 19, 26.
^ abN700系Z80編成が搬入される [N700 series set Z80 delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
^『JR電車編成表』2023冬 [JR EMU Formations - Winter 2023] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2023.
ISBN 9784330067223.
^"東海道・山陽新幹線車両 N700Aの追加投入" [Additional N700A series trains to be introduced on Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
^JR西日本，N700Aを15編成導入へ [JR West to introduce 15 more N700A sets]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 22 December 2016. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
^ ab JR車両のうごき [JR rolling stock changes]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 45, no. 389. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. September 2016. p. 80.
^ abc N700系0・3000番台を「N700A」タイプに改造 [N700-0 and N700-3000 series to be modified as "N700A" type]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 54, no. 633. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. January 2014. pp. 64–65.
^九州新幹線，熊本—筑後船小屋間で試運転 [Test-running on Kyushu Shinkansen Between Kumamoto and Chikugo-Funagoya]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Koyusha Co., Ltd. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
^"N700系8000番台" [N700-8000 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 50, no. 595. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 2010. pp. 58–59.
^N700系X59編成 試運転 [N700 series set X59 test run] (in Japanese). Japan. 26 July 2016. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
^リニア・鉄道館 N700系車両の展示について [N700 series shinkansen exhibit at SCMaglev and Railway Park] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: Central Japan Railway Company. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
External links
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