400 Series Shinkansen
Encyclopedia
The was a Japanese Shinkansen
high-speed train type operated by East Japan Railway Company
(JR East) between 1992 and 2010 on Tsubasa services on Japan's first Mini-shinkansen
line, the Yamagata Shinkansen
branch from the main Tōhoku Shinkansen
.
The fleet of 400 series trains was leased by JR East from the owning company, , a third-sector company jointly owned by JR East and Yamagata Prefecture
.
They were originally six-car sets, but a seventh car (type 429) was added in 1995 to each set due to the popularity of the new Tsubasa services.
The fleet of twelve 400 series trains was scheduled to be withdrawn between December 2008 and summer 2009, replaced by new E3-2000 series trains. However, one set, L3, remained in service until 18 April 2010, with the date chosen to mark 18 years of service.
The unit featured three different types of bolsterless bogies: DT9028 on cars 1 and 3, DT9029 on cars 2 and 4, and DT9030 on cars 5 and 6. The Green car
seats featured seat-back TV screens, a feature not used on the subsequent production sets.
Test running began on the Ōu Main Line
between Niwasaka
and Itaya
on 14 November 1990. From 23 January 1991, test running began in conjunction with a newly converted 200 series 8-car K set
on the Tōhoku Shinkansen
between Sendai
and Kitakami
. On 26 March 1991, the 400 series set S4 established a new Japanese speed record of 336 km/h on the Jōetsu Shinkansen
in the Yuzawa Tunnel between Echigo-Yuzawa
and Urasa
. On 19 September 1991, the train set a new speed record of 345 km/h on the same stretch of track.
Test running continued into 1992, with set S4 reaching Tokyo for the first time on 20 May 1992. The pre-production set was then modified to bring it up to production batch standards, becoming set L1 on 29 June 1992.
Cars 1 and 2 were built by Tokyu Car Corporation
, cars 3 to 4 were built by Hitachi
, and cars 5 to 6 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries
.
Cars 12 and 14 were equipped with pantographs.
Source:
Clearances were much reduced compared to previous Shinkansen lines, and thus the 400 series units were much narrower than previous Shinkansen trains. At shinkansen stations (i.e. high-speed line stations), steps extended from beneath the doors to bridge the gap between the trains and platforms.
were arranged with 2+1 abreast seating, unlike the E3 series
trains which replaced them, which featured 2+2 seating in both standard and Green cars. Seat pitch was 980 mm in reserved-seating cars (12 to 15, and 910 mm in non-reserved cars (16 and 17).
pending possible future preservation.
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...
high-speed train type operated by East Japan Railway Company
East Japan Railway Company
is the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....
(JR East) between 1992 and 2010 on Tsubasa services on Japan's first Mini-shinkansen
Mini-shinkansen
is the name given to the concept of converting narrow gauge railway lines to standard gauge for use by Shinkansen train services in Japan. Two mini-shinkansen routes have been constructed: the Yamagata Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen.-Concept:...
line, the Yamagata Shinkansen
Yamagata Shinkansen
The is a Mini-shinkansen route in Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company . It provides service between Tokyo and Shinjō in Yamagata Prefecture over the tracks of the Tōhoku Shinkansen and the Ōu Main Line....
branch from the main Tōhoku Shinkansen
Tohoku Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen rail line, connecting Tokyo with Aomori in Aomori Prefecture for a total length of 674 km, Japan's longest Shinkansen line. It runs through the more sparsely populated Tōhoku region of Japan's main island Honshu. It has two spur lines, Yamagata...
.
The fleet of 400 series trains was leased by JR East from the owning company, , a third-sector company jointly owned by JR East and Yamagata Prefecture
Yamagata Prefecture
-Fruit:Yamagata Prefecture is the largest producer of cherries and pears in Japan. A large quantity of other kinds of fruits such as grapes, apples, peaches, melons, persimmons and watermelons are also produced.- Demographics :...
.
They were originally six-car sets, but a seventh car (type 429) was added in 1995 to each set due to the popularity of the new Tsubasa services.
The fleet of twelve 400 series trains was scheduled to be withdrawn between December 2008 and summer 2009, replaced by new E3-2000 series trains. However, one set, L3, remained in service until 18 April 2010, with the date chosen to mark 18 years of service.
Pre-production set
The pre-production set, S4, was delivered in October 1990, and shown off to the press on 26 October 1990. This was a six-car set arranged as shown below with all cars motored.| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numbering | 401-1 | 402-1 | 403-1 | 404-1 | 405-1 | 406-1 |
| Seating capacity | 20 | 67 | 60 | 68 | 64 | 56 |
The unit featured three different types of bolsterless bogies: DT9028 on cars 1 and 3, DT9029 on cars 2 and 4, and DT9030 on cars 5 and 6. The Green car
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:...
seats featured seat-back TV screens, a feature not used on the subsequent production sets.
Test running began on the Ōu Main Line
Ou Main Line
The is a railway line in Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company . It runs from Fukushima Station in Fukushima, Fukushima through Akita Station in Akita, Akita to Aomori Station in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture...
between Niwasaka
Niwasaka Station
is a JR East railway station located in Fukushima, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan....
and Itaya
Itaya Station
is a JR East railway station located in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan....
on 14 November 1990. From 23 January 1991, test running began in conjunction with a newly converted 200 series 8-car K set
200 Series Shinkansen
The is a Shinkansen high-speed train type introduced by Japan National Railways for the Tōhoku Shinkansen and Jōetsu Shinkansen high-speed rail lines in Japan, and currently operated by East Japan Railway Company . They actually predate the 100 series trains, having been built between 1980 and 1986...
on the Tōhoku Shinkansen
Tohoku Shinkansen
The is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen rail line, connecting Tokyo with Aomori in Aomori Prefecture for a total length of 674 km, Japan's longest Shinkansen line. It runs through the more sparsely populated Tōhoku region of Japan's main island Honshu. It has two spur lines, Yamagata...
between Sendai
Sendai Station (Miyagi)
is the major railway hub of the Tōhoku region in Japan, serving more passengers than any station outside the Greater Tokyo Area. It is a stop for all Akita and Tōhoku Shinkansen trains, the eastern terminus for the Senzan Line, and major stop on both the Tōhoku Main Line and Senseki Line...
and Kitakami
Kitakami Station
is a railway station of the JR East. It is located in Kitakami, Iwate, Japan.-Lines:*JR East**Tōhoku Shinkansen**Tōhoku Main Line**Kitakami Line-Station structure:...
. On 26 March 1991, the 400 series set S4 established a new Japanese speed record of 336 km/h on the Jōetsu Shinkansen
Joetsu Shinkansen
The is a high-speed railway line connecting Tokyo and Niigata, Japan, via the Tōhoku Shinkansen, operated by the East Japan Railway Company .-History:The program was initiated in 1971 by Niigata-born prime minister Tanaka Kakuei...
in the Yuzawa Tunnel between Echigo-Yuzawa
Echigo-Yuzawa Station
is a train station operated by East Japan Railway Company , located in the resort town of Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Facilities at the station include souvenir shopping and eating facilities, as well as a sake-themed attraction complete with an indoor onsen bath.-Lines:Echigo-Yuzawa...
and Urasa
Urasa Station
is a train station located in Minamiuonuma, Niigata, Japan. It opened on September 1, 1923.- Adjacent stations :-External links:*...
. On 19 September 1991, the train set a new speed record of 345 km/h on the same stretch of track.
Test running continued into 1992, with set S4 reaching Tokyo for the first time on 20 May 1992. The pre-production set was then modified to bring it up to production batch standards, becoming set L1 on 29 June 1992.
Formation
The 400 series sets were configured as shown below following the addition of a trailer car (car 15) in late 1995.| Car No. | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Msc | M' | M | M' | T | M | M'c |
| Numbering | 411 | 426-200 | 425 | 426 | 429 | 425 | 422 |
| Seating capacity | 20 | 67 | 60 | 68 | 64 | 64 | 56 |
Cars 1 and 2 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...
, cars 3 to 4 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...
, and cars 5 to 6 were built by 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....
.
Cars 12 and 14 were equipped with pantographs.
Fleet details
| Set No. | Manufacturer | Delivered | 7th car added | Refurbished | DS-ATC added | Withdrawn | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | Tokyu Car 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... , 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... , Kawasaki HI 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.... |
1 November 1990 | 14 November 1995 | 3 March 2000 | 27 July 2005 | 1 January 2009 | Originally pre-production set S4, converted 29 June 1992. |
| L2 | Kawasaki HI 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.... |
17 January 1992 | 20 November 1995 | 14 September 2001 | 7 October 2005 | 23 January 2009 | |
| L3 | Kawasaki HI | 28 January 1992 | 2 December 1995 | 11 June 2001 | 12 September 2005 | 18 April 2010 | Last set to be withdrawn. Car 411-3 stored pending preservation. |
| L4 | Kawasaki HI | 6 March 1992 | 12 December 1995 | 16 December 1999 | 28 May 2005 | 18 September 2009 | First set to be refurbished and reliveried. |
| L5 | Kawasaki HI | 23 March 1992 | 10 December 1995 | 28 July 2000 | 26 November 2005 | 21 April 2009 | |
| L6 | Kawasaki HI | 2 April 1992 | 8 December 1995 | 16 October 2001 | 24 December 2005 | 26 May 2009 | |
| L7 | Kawasaki HI | 13 April 1992 | 6 December 1995 | 19 September 2000 | 2 November 2005 | 15 May 2009 | |
| L8 | Kawasaki HI | 1 May 1992 | 4 December 1995 | 19 June 2000 | 24 June 2005 | 3 April 2009 | |
| L9 | Kawasaki HI | 11 May 1992 | 20 December 1995 | 14 April 2000 | 22 March 2006 | 21 February 2009 | Car 15 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... . |
| L10 | Kawasaki HI | 29 May 1992 | 14 December 1995 | 30 March 2001 | 28 February 2006 | 7 August 2009 | Car 15 built by Hitachi. |
| L11 | Kawasaki HI | 12 June 1992 | 16 December 1995 | 19 February 2001 | 6 February 2006 | 20 June 2009 | Car 15 built by Hitachi. |
| L12 | Kawasaki HI | 25 June 1992 | 18 December 1995 | 29 May 2000 | 27 April 2005 | 19 March 2009 | Car 15 built by Hitachi. |
Source:
Exterior
Styling wise, the 400 series were originally painted a medium silver grey with a darker roof and area around the cab windows and underframe, but they were refurbished and repainted between 1999 and 2001, with a higher area of dark bluish-grey on the underside, coming up almost to the side windows, and separated from the silver grey with a green stripe. The dark grey on the roof and around the cab windows was removed.Clearances were much reduced compared to previous Shinkansen lines, and thus the 400 series units were much narrower than previous Shinkansen trains. At shinkansen stations (i.e. high-speed line stations), steps extended from beneath the doors to bridge the gap between the trains and platforms.
Interior
Green carsFirst 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:...
were arranged with 2+1 abreast seating, unlike the E3 series
E3 Series Shinkansen
The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built for Komachi services which commenced on 3 June 1997, coinciding with opening of the new Akita Shinkansen 'mini-shinkansen' line, a regular narrow-gauge line between Morioka and Akita upgraded to . Later versions of the E3 series were also...
trains which replaced them, which featured 2+2 seating in both standard and Green cars. Seat pitch was 980 mm in reserved-seating cars (12 to 15, and 910 mm in non-reserved cars (16 and 17).
Preservation
The first eleven sets to be withdrawn were all cut up at Sendai General Depot, but one car (Green car 411-3) of the last set to be withdrawn, L3, remains stored at a location in FukushimaFukushima, Fukushima
is the capital city of Fukushima Prefecture in the Tōhoku Region of Japan. As of May 2011 the city has an estimated population of 290,064 and an area of 746.43 km².It lies about 250 km north of Tokyo and 80 km south of Sendai.-History:...
pending possible future preservation.