0 Series Shinkansen
Encyclopedia
The trains were the first Shinkansen
Shinkansen
The , also known as THE BULLET TRAIN, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. Starting with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen in 1964, the network has expanded to currently consist of of lines with maximum speeds of , of Mini-shinkansen with a...

 trainsets built to run on Japan's new Tōkaidō Shinkansen high-speed line which opened in 1964. The last remaining trainsets were withdrawn in 2008.

History

The 0 series (which were not originally classified, as there was no need to distinguish classes of trainset until later) entered service with the start of Tōkaidō Shinkansen operations in October 1964. These units were white with a blue stripe along the windows and another at the bottom of the car body, including the front pilot
Pilot (locomotive)
In railroading, the pilot is the device mounted at the front of a locomotive to deflect obstacles from the track that might otherwise derail the train. In some countries it is also called cowcatcher or cattle catcher....

.

Unlike previous Japanese trains, the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and all subsequent Shinkansen lines were standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...

 ( between the rails). The trains were powered by 25 kV AC electricity at 60 Hz with all axles of all cars powered by 185 kW traction motor
Traction motor
Traction motor refers to an electric motor providing the primary rotational torque of a machine, usually for conversion into linear motion ....

s, giving a 220 kilometres per hour (136.7 mph) top speed.

The original trains were introduced as 12-car sets, with some sets later lengthened to 16 cars. Later, shorter trains of 6 cars and even 4 cars were assembled for lesser duties. Production of 0 series units continued from 1963 until 1986.

Shinkansen sets are generally retired after fifteen to twenty years. The final remaining 0 series sets were 6-car sets used on JR West Kodama services on the Sanyō Shinkansen
Sanyō Shinkansen
The is a line of the Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail network, connecting Shin-Ōsaka in Osaka with Hakata Station in Fukuoka, the two largest cities in western Japan...

 between Shin-Osaka
Shin-Osaka Station
is a train station in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the western terminus of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, and the eastern terminus of the Sanyō Shinkansen. The lines are physically joined, and many trains offer through service....

 and Hakata
Hakata Station
Hakata Station , located in Hakata-ku, is the main railway terminal of the city of Fukuoka, Japan. It is the largest and busiest station on Kyūshū, and is a gateway to other cities in Kyūshū for travellers from Honshū. The Sanyō Shinkansen from Osaka ends at this station...

, and on the Hakata-Minami Line until their retirement on 30 November 2008.

Following retirement from regular service, JR West ran a number of special commemorative Hikari runs in December 2008. Hikari 347, powered by set R61, arrived at Hakata Station at 6:01 p.m. on 14 December 2008, bringing to an end the 44 years of service of the 0 series trains.

Original 12-car H/K/N/R/S sets

The initial shinkansen fleet delivered for use on Hikari and services Kodama services on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen from 1 October 1964 consisted of 30 12-car sets formed of 1st- and 2nd-batch cars. Six sets, H1 to H6, were built by Hitachi
Hitachi
Hitachi is a multinational corporation specializing in high-technology.Hitachi may also refer to:*Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan*Hitachi province, former province of Japan*Prince Hitachi and Princess Hitachi, members of the Japanese imperial family...

 between April and August 1964, six sets, K1 to K6, were built by Kisha between July and September 1964, six sets, N1 to N6, were built by Nippon Sharyo
Nippon Sharyo
, , formed in 1896, is a major rolling stock manufacturer based in Nagoya, Japan. In 1996, it abbreviated its name to "日本車両" Nippon Sharyō. Its shortest abbreviation is Nissha "日車". It was a listed company on Nikkei 225 until 2004. It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Nagoya Stock Exchange...

 between March and September 1964, six sets, R1 to R6, were built by Kawasaki Sharyo
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....

 between July and September 1964, and six sets, S1 to S6, were built by Kinki Sharyo
Kinki Sharyo
is an Osaka, Japan-based manufacturer of railroad vehicles. It is an affiliate company of Kintetsu Corporation.In business since 1920 and renamed The Kinki Sharyo Co., Ltd in 1945...

 between April and August 1964. These sets were allocated to Tokyo and Osaka depots.

A further 10 12-cars sets (H7/8, K7/8, N7/8, R7/8, S7/8) were delivered between April and July 1965, formed of 120 3rd-batch cars, five 4th-batch sets were delivered between June and July 1966, and five 5th-batch sets were delivered between October and November 1966.

The original 12-cars sets were formed as follows, with two first-class cars (type 15 and 16) and two buffet cars (type 35).
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Designation Mc M' M M' MB M' MS M'S MB M' M M'c
Numbering 21 26 25 26-200 35 26-200 15 16 35 26 25 22

12-car H/K/N/R/S/T Kodama sets

A further 21 6th- to 9th-batch 12-car sets were delivered between 1967 and 1969 with only one first-class car (type 16) for use on Kodama services. The "T" sets were built by Tokyu Car Corporation
Tokyu Car Corporation
is a manufacturer of heavy rail cars in Japan. The company is based in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, Japan, and a member of Tokyu Group. Tokyu Car manufactures rail vehicles not only for Tokyu Corporation but for other Japanese operators, including various Japan Railways Group companies and...

.

These sets were formed as follows.
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Designation Mc M' M M' MB M' M M'S MB M' M M'c
Numbering 21 26-100 25-100 26-300 35-100 26-300 25-300 16 35-100 26-100 25-100 22

16-car H/K/N/R/S Hikari sets

The original 30 12-car sets were lengthened to 16 cars between December 1969 and February 1970 with the inclusion of new 10th-batch cars for Hikari services to handle the increased number of passengers travelling to and from the Expo '70
Expo '70
was a World's Fair held in Suita, Osaka, Japan between March 15 and September 13, 1970. The theme of the Expo was "Progress and Harmony for Mankind." In Japanese Expo '70 is often referred to as Ōsaka Banpaku...

 in Osaka in 1970. From the opening of the Sanyo Shinkansen
Sanyō Shinkansen
The is a line of the Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail network, connecting Shin-Ōsaka in Osaka with Hakata Station in Fukuoka, the two largest cities in western Japan...

 in 1972, these sets were renumbered H1 to H30.
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Mc M' M M' MB M' M M' MS M'S MB M' M M' M M'c
Numbering 21 26 25 26-200 35 26-200 25-700 26-700 15 16 35 26 25-500 26-700 25 22

16-car K Kodama sets

Between 1972 and 1973, the earlier 12-car Kodama sets were lengthened to 16 cars with the inclusion of new 13th- and 15th-batch cars, and were renumbered K1 to K47.
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Mc M' M M' MK M' M M' M M' M M'S MB M' M M'c
Numbering 21 26 25 26-300 25-400 26-200 25-200 26-800 25-500 26-800 25-700 16 35 26 25 22

16-car H Hikari restaurant car sets

With the opening of the Sanyo Shinkansen extension to Hakata, the fleet of 16-car H Hikari sets was reformed and increased between 1973 and 1974 with the inclusion of new 16th- and 17th-batch cars, including new restaurant cars (type 36) in addition to the buffet car (type 35). The fleet as of 10 March 1975 consisted of 64 sets, numbered H1 to H64.
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Mc M' M M' M M' M M'D MB M' MS M'S M M' M M'c
Numbering 21 26 25 26-200 25-700 26-700 27 36 35 26-200 15 16 25-500 26 25 22

16-car NH Hikari sets

Between 1977 and 1980, 35 new 16-car NH sets were formed of -1000 subseries cars (batches 22 to 29) for Hikari services on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and Sanyo Shinkansen
Sanyō Shinkansen
The is a line of the Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail network, connecting Shin-Ōsaka in Osaka with Hakata Station in Fukuoka, the two largest cities in western Japan...

 lines. The introduction of 100 series
100 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built between 1984 and 1991 for the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and Sanyō Shinkansen high-speed lines. The earliest units have now been withdrawn from service, and the series was retired from the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line in September 2003...

 and later 300 series
300 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen train type introduced in 1992 on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen lines, initially for use on the fastest Nozomi services, being capable of...

 trains reduced the number of 0 series trains used on Hikari services, with 0 series Hikari services operated by JR Central ending in 1995. A small fleet was subsequently maintained by JR West for use on additional holiday period Hikari services, with the last remaining unit, NH32, being disbanded in December 1999.

The NH sets had two Green cars
First class travel
First class is the most luxurious class of accommodation on a train, passenger ship, airplane, or other conveyance. It is usually much more expensive than business class and economy class, and offers the best amenities.-Aviation:...

 and a restaurant car in addition to a buffet car, although use of the restaurant cars was discontinued from the mid 1990s.
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Mc M' M M' M M' MA M'D MB M' MS M'S M M' M M'c
Numbering 21-1000 26-1000 25-1000 26-1200 25-700 26-700 27 36 35-1000 26-1200 15-1000 16-1000 25-500 26-1000 25-1000 22-1000

16-car YK sets

The 16-car YK sets were operated by JR Central on the all-stations Kodama services. These sets had upgraded reserved seat cars with 2+2 seating employing 100 series style seats, but only one Green car per 16-car set. Standard seating was 3+2 in standard class, and 2+2 in Green cars.

The fleet was operated by JR Central on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen until the last units were withdrawn on 18 September 1999. In the last two months of service, they ran with "Arigatō 0 Series" stickers on the front ends.
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Mc M' M M' MB M' M M'S M M' M M' M M' M M'c
Numbering 21 26 25 26 37 26 25 16 25 26 25 26 25 26 25 22

12-car SK sets

These 12-car SK sets based at Hakata Depot were operated by JR West on Sanyō Shinkansen West Hikari services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. Sets were formed of upgraded 5000 and 7000 subseries vehicles with improved seating, and buffet cars were refurbished with a special seating area. All standard class cars had upgraded 2+2 seating. The sets were recognizable externally by the addition of an extra thin blue line below the windows (similar to 100 series) and by the large "West" decals near the doors. Some sets originally included specially converted cinema cars, but these were withdrawn in 1996. Following the end of the West Hikari services on 21 April 2000, the remaining SK units were reformed into new 6-car R60 sets to replace unrefurbished sets on Sanyo Shinkansen Kodama services.
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Designation Mc M' M M' MB M' M M'S M M' M M'c
Numbering 21 26 25 26 37 26 25 16 25 26 25 22

4-car Q sets

4-car Q sets were formed from March 1997 for use on Kodama shuttle services running between Hakata and Kokura
Kokura Station
in Kokura Kita ward is the main railway station in Kitakyushu, Japan. It is part of the JR Kyushu network and the Sanyo Shinkansen stops here. It is the second largest station in Kyūshū with 120,000 users daily...

/Hiroshima
Hiroshima Station
is a JR West railway station located in Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Japan. Hiroshima Station is the terminal station for several lines, and all Sanyō Shinkansen trains stop here.-History:...

, and also for use on some Hakata Minami Line
Hakata Minami Line
The is an 8.5 km railway line in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, connecting Hakata Station in Fukuoka with Hakata-Minami Station in Kasuga. It is operated by the West Japan Railway Company .-Service:...

 duties. These sets had no Green car. The last remaining unit was withdrawn in September 2001.
Car No. 1 2 3 4
Designation Mc M' M M'c
Numbering 21 26 25 22

6-car R sets

The 6-car R units with no Green car were first formed in June 1985, and were used on JR West Kodama services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. They were also used to operate services on the short Hakata Minami Line
Hakata Minami Line
The is an 8.5 km railway line in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, connecting Hakata Station in Fukuoka with Hakata-Minami Station in Kasuga. It is operated by the West Japan Railway Company .-Service:...

 from Hakata Station.

The no. 3 cars of sets R2 and R24 were rebuilt as "Children's Saloons" with the former buffet counter area converted into a children's soft play area. These sets ran branded as "Family Hikari" during holiday periods. From March 1997 a refurbishment programme was commenced on the R sets, with new internal trim, rotating seats and new toilets/washing facilities. The refurbished units were recognisable externally by an extra thin blue line below the windows (as with West Hikari SK sets), and new "W" decals near the doors.

From April 2000, 6-car "WR" sets were created from former SK unit cars and renumbered in the R60 series. These retained the larger buffet area (disused) and 2+2 seating of the former West Hikari trains, and gradually replaced the remaining unrefurbished R sets. These units initially retained their "West Hikari" branding, but were gradually repainted into the new JR West "Kodama" livery from May 2002. Initially scheduled to be withdrawn in 2006, the last three remaining sets (R61/R67/R68) remained in service until 30 November 2008. By June 2008 they had been repainted into their original ivory and blue livery with silver roofs.
Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Designation Mc M' MB M' M M'c
Numbering 21 26 37 26 25 22

Preserved examples

A large number of former 0 series vehicles are preserved or stored in museums and various other locations around Japan. Outside Japan, the leading vehicle from a 0 series set is preserved at the National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is a museum in York forming part of the British National Museum of Science and Industry and telling the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. It has won many awards, including the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001...

 in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...

, UK. It was donated to the museum by JR West in 2001.
Vehicle number Date built Date withdrawn Location Remarks
16-1 March 1964 March 1977 Modern Transportation Museum
Modern Transportation Museum
The is the corporate museum of the West Japan Railway Company in Osaka, Japan. It opened in 1962, next to Bentencho Station on the Osaka Loop Line...

, Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...

Cars from pre-production "C" set H1.
21-1
22-1
35-1 August 1964 Cars from first production set H2.
21-2 July 1964 March 1977 The Railway Museum, Saitama From original set H2. Moved from Osaka in August 2008. Exhibited from October 2009.
22-2 JR West Staff Training Centre, Suita, Osaka
Suita, Osaka
is a city located in northern Osaka, Japan. As of August 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 356,751 and the density of 9,880 persons per km². The total area is 36.11 km²....

From original set H2.
21-25 April 1964 March 1978 The Railway Museum, Saitama Cab section only.
Originally displayed outside Tokyo Transport Museum.
22-56 August 1967 February 1982 "Wine no Kuni" hotel, Ikeda, Hokkaidō
Ikeda, Hokkaido
Ikeda town is a small town in the East of Hokkaido. It is in the region of Tokachi in the sub region of Nakagawa-gun. Tokachi is blessed with almost year-round blue skies, which results in warm summers and cold winters. In the summer temperatures reach 30 degrees Celsius and in winter up to minus...

Front third section only.
21-59 March 1968 February 1982 Shintsū Park, Fuji, Shizuoka
Fuji, Shizuoka
is a city in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture. Fuji is the 3rd largest city in terms of population in Shizuoka Prefecture, trailing Hamamatsu and Shizuoka. As of February 2010, the city has an estimated population of 254,113 and a population density of 1040 persons per km²...

 
21-73 July 1969 October 1984 Shinkansen Park, Settsu, Osaka
Settsu, Osaka
is a city located in Osaka, Japan.As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 84,278 and the density of 5,664 persons per km². The total area is 14.88 km².-Railways:*West Japan Railway Company**JR Kyoto Line: Senrioka Station*Hankyu Railway...

22-75 August 1969 March 1985 Ome Railway Park, Ome, Tokyo
Ome, Tokyo
is a city located in Tokyo, Japan.As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 139,932 and a density of 1,355.14 persons per km². The total area is 103.26 km².The characters 青梅 literally mean blue ume, or Japanese apricot....

Repainted for short period into Tohoku ivory/green livery in late 1980s.
22-77 September 1969 March 1990 Satsuki Kindergarten, Fukuoka
Fukuoka
Fukuoka most often refers to the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture.It can also refer to:-Locations:* Fukuoka, Gifu, a town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan* Fukuoka, Toyama, a town in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...

Used as a staff room and library.
36-84 1975   SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya
21-86 December 1971 November 1991 SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya
22-86 JR Central Hamamatsu Works
21-100 September 1973 October 1991 Akishima City Library, Akishima, Tokyo
Akishima, Tokyo
is a city located in the western end of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 112,521 and a population density of 6,490 persons per km²...

Used as library reading room.
21-141 June 1976 October 2000 JR Tadotsu Works, Shikoku
Shikoku
is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of the island of Kyūshū. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima , Iyo-shima , and Futana-shima...

Former set H94, later R52. Front half only.
22-141 June 1976 October 2000 National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is a museum in York forming part of the British National Museum of Science and Industry and telling the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. It has won many awards, including the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001...

, York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...

, UK
 
22-1003 November 1976 November 1994 Namikawa Railway Heritage Park, Kameoka, Kyoto
Kameoka, Kyoto
is a city located in Kyoto, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 93,323 and a density of 415 persons per km². The total area is 224.90 km². It is known as one of Japan's foggiest cities....

Cab section only.
21-2023 January 1985 June 1998 Tokyu Car factory, Yokohama Cab section only. Preserved at Sakuma Rail Park until November 2009. Moved to Tokyu Car from July 2010.
22-2029 March 1986 September 1999 Nippon Sharyo
Nippon Sharyo
, , formed in 1896, is a major rolling stock manufacturer based in Nagoya, Japan. In 1996, it abbreviated its name to "日本車両" Nippon Sharyō. Its shortest abbreviation is Nissha "日車". It was a listed company on Nikkei 225 until 2004. It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Nagoya Stock Exchange...

 Factory, Toyokawa
16-2034 1986   SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya
37-2523 1983   SCMaglev and Railway Park, Nagoya
21-5035 (formerly 21-1032) - - Taiwan High Speed Rail
Taiwan High Speed Rail
Taiwan High Speed Rail is a high-speed rail line that runs approximately along the west coast of the Republic of China from the national capital of Taipei to the southern city of Kaohsiung...

Used as structure gauging car.
22-7007 - December 2008 Suita Yard, Osaka Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Kansai region on Honshū, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Osaka. It is the center of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto area.- History :...

From former set R68, awaiting preservation in public park.
21-7008 (formerly 21-2026) 1983 December 2008 Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....

 factory, Hyogo Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...

Car of last operational set, R61
21-7038 - - Kawasaki Good Times World, within Kobe Maritime Museum
Kobe Maritime Museum
Kobe Maritime Museum is a museum in Kobe, Japan focusing on the history of Japanese shipping and Kobe harbor.One of the exhibits is the Yamato 1.-External links:*...

West Hikari livery. Front third section.



File:0key22-86.JPG|22-86 at Hamamatsu Works, July 2006
File:089-SFEC-YORK-20070827.JPG|22-141 on display at the National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is a museum in York forming part of the British National Museum of Science and Industry and telling the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. It has won many awards, including the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001...

 in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...

, UK, August 2007
File:TSHR Structure Gauge Test Car 01.jpg|21-5035 used as structure gauging car in Taiwan, August 2008
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