Tsubasa (Shinkansen)
Encyclopedia
The is the only service running on the Yamagata Shinkansen
, which started in 1992. The services were originally operated by 7-car 400 series
trains, later replaced by 7-car E3 series
trains. They couple with E4 series
trains for their journey from Tokyo
to Fukushima
and travel at 240 km/h. Tsubasa trains are limited to 130 km/h on the Yamagata shinkansen from Fukushima to Shinjō
since there are many sharp curves and level crossings, as the line is essentially a regauged narrow-gauge line.
From March 2007, all Tsubasa trains were made entirely non-smoking.
The Japanese word "tsubasa" means "wing".
A new build of twelve 7-car E3-2000 series trains was phased in from December 2008, finally replacing the older 400 series trains from April 2010.
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....
, which started in 1992. The services were originally operated by 7-car 400 series
400 Series Shinkansen
The was a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by East Japan Railway Company between 1992 and 2010 on Tsubasa services on Japan's first Mini-shinkansen line, the Yamagata Shinkansen branch from the main Tōhoku Shinkansen....
trains, later replaced by 7-car 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. They couple with E4 series
E4 Series Shinkansen
The is a high-speed shinkansen train type operated by East Japan Railway Company in Japan. They were the second series of completely bi-level Shinkansen trainsets to be built in Japan . They operate on the Tōhoku and Jōetsu Shinkansen, and occasionally on the Nagano Shinkansen...
trains for their journey from Tokyo
Tokyo Station
is a train station located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district....
to Fukushima
Fukushima Station (Fukushima)
is a railway station located in the city of Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan.-Lines:*JR East**Tōhoku Shinkansen**Yamagata Shinkansen**Tōhoku Main Line**Ōu Main Line*AbukumaExpress** Abukuma Express Line*Fukushima Transportation** Iizaka Line-Layout:...
and travel at 240 km/h. Tsubasa trains are limited to 130 km/h on the Yamagata shinkansen from Fukushima to Shinjō
Shinjo Station
is a JR East railway station located in Shinjō, Yamagata, Japan.-History:*1903-06-11: Station begins operation.*1913-12-07: Ōu Line service towards Ōmagari is started.*1915-11-01: Ōu Line service towards Fukushima is started....
since there are many sharp curves and level crossings, as the line is essentially a regauged narrow-gauge line.
From March 2007, all Tsubasa trains were made entirely non-smoking.
The Japanese word "tsubasa" means "wing".
A new build of twelve 7-car E3-2000 series trains was phased in from December 2008, finally replacing the older 400 series trains from April 2010.
History
- 1 July 1992: Service starts using 6-car 400 series400 Series ShinkansenThe was a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by East Japan Railway Company between 1992 and 2010 on Tsubasa services on Japan's first Mini-shinkansen line, the Yamagata Shinkansen branch from the main Tōhoku Shinkansen....
trains coupled to a 200 series200 Series ShinkansenThe 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 Tōhoku Shinkansen tracks between Tokyo and FukushimaFukushima Station (Fukushima)is a railway station located in the city of Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan.-Lines:*JR East**Tōhoku Shinkansen**Yamagata Shinkansen**Tōhoku Main Line**Ōu Main Line*AbukumaExpress** Abukuma Express Line*Fukushima Transportation** Iizaka Line-Layout:...
. - 1 December 1995: Trains are extended to 7 cars.
- 4 December 1999: Service is extended to Shinjō StationShinjo Stationis a JR East railway station located in Shinjō, Yamagata, Japan.-History:*1903-06-11: Station begins operation.*1913-12-07: Ōu Line service towards Ōmagari is started.*1915-11-01: Ōu Line service towards Fukushima is started....
. Two new E3-1000 series sets (L51 and L52) enter service. - 21 September 2001: Double-decker E4 seriesE4 Series ShinkansenThe is a high-speed shinkansen train type operated by East Japan Railway Company in Japan. They were the second series of completely bi-level Shinkansen trainsets to be built in Japan . They operate on the Tōhoku and Jōetsu Shinkansen, and occasionally on the Nagano Shinkansen...
replace the 200 series trains on the Tōhoku Shinkansen. - 2005: A third E3-1000 series trainset (L53) enters service.
- 18 March 2007: All cars are made non-smoking.
- 20 December 2008: New E3-2000 series trains enter service, replacing 400 series trainsets.
- 18 April 2010: The last 400 series set (L3) in service is withdrawn.