E5 and H5 Series Shinkansen

E5 & H5 series
Teal and white bullet train with pink stripe
E5 series set U15 on a Yamabiko service, May 2022
Teal and white bullet train with purple stripe
H5 series set H1 on a Hayabusa service, June 2022
In service
  • E5: 2011–present
  • H5: 2016–present
ManufacturerHitachi Rail, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Rolling Stock Company
Replaced200 series, E1 series, E2 series, E4 series
Constructed
  • E5: 2009–present
  • H5: 2014–2015
Entered service
  • E5: 5 March 2011; 12 years ago (2011-03-05)
  • H5: 26 March 2016; 7 years ago (2016-03-26)
Number under constructionE5: 80 vehicles (8 sets)
Number built
  • E5: 510 vehicles (51 sets)
  • H5: 40 vehicles (4 sets)
Number in service
  • E5: 510 vehicles (51 sets)
  • H5: 30 vehicles (3 sets)
Number preserved6 vehicles
Number scrapped
Formation10 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers
  • E5: U1–
  • H5: H1–H4
Capacity731 (658 Standard, 55 Green, 18 Gran Class)
Operators
  • E5:

JR East
NHSRCL (2026)

DepotsSendai, Hokkaido (H5 Trains Only)
Lines servedTōhoku Shinkansen
Hokkaido Shinkansen
Mumbai–Ahmedabad HSRC (2026)
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium alloy
Train length253 m (830 ft 58 in)
Car length26.5 m (86 ft 11+516 in) (end cars)
25 m (82 ft 14 in) (intermediate cars)
Width3,350 mm (10 ft 11+78 in)
Height3,650 mm (11 ft 11+1116 in)
Doors
  • E514/H514: one per side plus one cab access door per side
  • E515/H515: one per side
  • E523/H523: two per side plus one cab access door per side
  • Other cars: two per side
Maximum speed320 km/h (198.8 mph)
Weight453.5 t (446.3 long tons; 499.9 short tons)
Traction system3-level IGBT-VVVF (Mitsubishi Electric, Toshiba or Hitachi)
Traction motors32 × MT207 300 kW (402 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output9.6 MW (12,874 hp)
Acceleration0.48 m/s2 (1.1 mph/s)
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
BogiesDT209 (motored), TR7008 (trailer)
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic regenerative
Safety system(s)DS-ATC
Multiple workingE6 series, E8 series
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
This train won the 55th Blue Ribbon Award in 2012.
Awarded for E5 series

The E5 series (Japanese: E5系, Hepburn: E5-kei) and the related H5 series (Japanese: H5系, Hepburn: H5-kei) are Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train types built by Hitachi Rail and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

The E5 series is operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East); it was introduced on Tohoku Shinkansen services on 5 March 2011 and on Hokkaido Shinkansen services on 26 March 2016. A total of 59 10-car sets are on order, with three sets in service in time for the start of new Hayabusa services to Shin-Aomori in March 2011.

The H5 series, a cold-weather derivative of the E5 series, is operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido); it has been in use on Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen services since 26 March 2016. Ordered in February 2014, a total of four 10-car sets were built by Hitachi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries at a cost of approximately ¥18 billion (US$169.9 million). The first two sets were delivered in October 2014.

Design

Technology incorporated in these trains is derived from the experimental Fastech 360S train tested by JR East. The initial maximum speed in service was 300 km/h (186 mph), but this was raised to 320 km/h (199 mph) between Utsunomiya and Morioka from the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2013. The trains feature an electric active suspension.

H5

The H5 series is directly based on the E5 series trains operated by JR East on the Tohoku Shinkansen since 2011, and has an identical maximum operating speed of 320 km/h (199 mph), although this is limited to 260 km/h (162 mph) on the Hokkaido Shinkansen, and to 160 km/h (99 mph) on the dual gauge track extending through the undersea Seikan Tunnel connecting Hokkaido with mainland Honshu. All cars feature active suspension, and tilt by up to 1.5 degrees through curves, allowing the maximum speed of 320 km/h (199 mph) to be maintained even on curves with a radius of 4,000 m (13,123 ft 4 in). The units feature a number of cold-weather improvements, including an upgraded snowplow on the lead units, durable rubber to protect the various connections between cars and a stainless-steel underframe to protect the electronics (upgraded from the usual aluminium underframe protection for added durability). They also incorporate minor interior design differences compared with the E5 series.

Operations

E5 series set U6 on a Hayate service, November 2011

As of 26 March 2016, E5 series and H5 trainsets work with each other, and are used on the following services on the Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen lines:

E5 series trainsets were first introduced on the new Hayabusa services between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori from 5 March 2011, initially operating at a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). From 19 November 2011, a total of six E5 series trainsets were in operation, with sets also used on some Hayate and Yamabiko services. Hayate services operated coupled with E3 series Komachi services, and were limited to a maximum speed of 275 km/h (171 mph). From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012, E5 series sets were also introduced used on some Nasuno all-stations services.

The H5 series is the first JR Hokkaido train type to use the "H" prefix, following the method used by JR East (with an "E" prefix).

Exterior

The exterior design of the trains is broadly based on the experimental Fastech 360S train, with a colour scheme of "Tokiwa" (常盤) green for the upper body and "Hiun" (飛雲) white for the lower body, separated by a "Hayate" pink stripe. For the H5 series, the "Hayate" pink stripe is replaced by a "Saika" (彩香) purple stripe intended to evoke images of lilac, lupin, and lavender flowers for which Hokkaido is famous.

Interior

The trains have three classes of accommodation: premium Gran Class (car 10), Green class (car 9), and Ordinary class (cars 1 to 8).

Gran Class

Car 10 is designated "Gran Class", featuring 18 power-reclining "shell" seats with leather seat covers arranged in 2+1 abreast configuration. Originally given the provisional name "Super Green Car", seat pitch in the Gran Class car is 1,300 mm (51.2 in). Seats are 520 mm (20.5 in) wide and recline to a maximum angle of 45 degrees. The pre-series set, S11, did not initially include Gran Class accommodation. The carpet in the H5 series's Gran Class car is blue with a pattern intended to evoke images of Hokkaido's sea and lakes. All seats in the H5 series feature AC power outlets.

Green car

Car 9 is designated as "Green car" (first class) accommodation with 55 seats arranged in 2+2 abreast configuration. Seat pitch is 1,160 mm (45.7 in). Seats are 475 mm (18.7 in) wide and recline to an angle of 31 degrees. The carpet in the H5 series's Green car is dark grey with a pattern depicting the ocean with fragments of drift ice. All seats in the H5 series feature AC power outlets.

Ordinary class

Ordinary-class cars (cars 1 to 8) have a seat pitch of 1,040 mm (40.9 in), which is 60 mm (2.4 in) larger than on the E2 series trains. Seating is arranged in 3+2 abreast configuration. AC power outlets are provided for window seats and rows of seats at car ends for the E5 series, and all seats for the H5 series. The interior of the H5 series's ordinary-class cars is intended to evoke images of snow and the night view of Hakodate.

Gallery

E5

H5

Formation

E5

The production E5 series sets are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Tokyo end and car 10 at the Aomori end.

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Designation T1c M2 M1 M2 M1k M2 M1 M2 M1s Tsc
Numbering E523 E526-100 E525 E526-200 E525-400 E526-300 E525-100 E526-400 E515 E514
Weight (t) 41.9 45.9 46.0 46.3 46.1 46.8 46.8 46.0 45.8 42.7
Capacity 29 100 85 100 59 100 85 100 55 18
Facilities Toilet   Toilet, cardphone   Toilet, AED, cardphone, wheelchair space   Toilet   Toilet, wheelchair space, conductor's compartment  

Cars 3 and 7 each have one single-arm pantograph, although only one is normally raised in service.

H5

The 10-car sets, numbered "H1" onward, are formed with eight motored ("M") cars and two non-powered trailer ("T") cars. Car 1 is at the southern end. Cars 3 and 7 each have one N-PS208 single-arm pantograph.

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Designation T1c M2 M1 M2 M1k M2 M1 M2 M1s Tsc
Numbering H523 H526-100 H525 H526-200 H525-400 H526-300 H525-100 H526-400 H515 H514
Capacity 29 98 85 98 59 98 85 98 55 18
Facilities Toilet   Toilet, cardphone   Toilet, AED, cardphone, wheelchair space   Toilet   Toilet, wheelchair space, conductor's compartment  

History

Pre-production set S11 at Sendai General Depot, July 2009

The pre-series set, S11, was delivered to Sendai Depot in May 2009 ahead of extensive test running on the Tohoku Shinkansen. Cars 1 to 5 were built by Hitachi in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and cars 6 to 10 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Hyogo Prefecture. Set S11 made its first appearance at Tokyo Station on 9 December 2009.

The first full-production set, U2, was delivered to Sendai Depot in December 2010.

In May 2012, the E5 series was awarded the 2012 Blue Ribbon Award, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club. A formal presentation ceremony was held at Tokyo Station on 20 November 2012.

The pre-series set, S11, was upgraded to full-production standard in February 2013 and renumbered U1. It retains the flush plug doors for the passenger doors immediately behind the driving cabs, whereas the full-production sets have recessed sliding doors.

From the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2013, the maximum speed in service was raised from 300 km/h (186 mph) to 320 km/h (199 mph) between Utsunomiya and Morioka.

H5 series

H5 series set H1 on test in November 2015

Details of the new H5 series trains on order were announced by JR Hokkaido in April 2014. The first set, H1, was shipped from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe to Hakodate Depot in October 2014. The second set was also delivered in October 2014.

In November 2014, JR Hokkaido officially announced details of the bodyside logos to be applied to the trains, combining an outline of Hokkaido with an image intended to portray the gyrfalcon native to Hokkaido.

Slow-speed test-running on the Hokkaido Shinkansen tracks within Hokkaido commenced from 1 December 2014, with the maximum speed of 260 km/h reached on 26 December. Test-running on the Tohoku Shinkansen south of Shin-Aomori commenced in November 2015.

Fleet list

E5

As of 6 August 2023, the fleet is as follows.

Set number Manufacturer Date delivered Remarks
U1 Hitachi/Kawasaki HI 15 June 2009 Pre-series set, originally numbered S11, modified February 2013
U2 Kawasaki HI 13 December 2010 Full-production sets
U3 Hitachi 31 January 2011
U4 18 February 2011
U5 19 August 2011
U6 Kawasaki HI 27 September 2011
U7 Hitachi 13 October 2011
U8 Kawasaki HI 14 November 2011
U9 5 December 2011
U10 Hitachi 30 January 2012
U11 Kawasaki HI 17 February 2012
U12 2 April 2012
U13 Hitachi 26 April 2012
U14 Kawasaki HI 31 May 2012
U15 Hitachi 11 June 2012
U16 26 July 2012
U17 Kawasaki HI 24 August 2012
U18 14 September 2012
U19 12 October 2012
U20 Hitachi 22 November 2012
U21 Kawasaki HI 25 December 2012
U22 Hitachi 31 January 2013
U23 Kawasaki HI 22 February 2013
U24 Hitachi 28 March 2013
U25 Kawasaki HI 10 April 2013
U26 Hitachi 30 May 2013
U27 Kawasaki HI 7 June 2013
U28 Hitachi 26 July 2013
U29 Kawasaki HI 7 December 2015
U30 Hitachi 15 January 2016
U31 Kawasaki HI 1 February 2016
U32 Hitachi 3 February 2017
U33 Kawasaki HI 16 January 2017
U34 Hitachi 13 October 2017
U35 Kawasaki HI 19 July 2017
U36 25 August 2017
U37 21 September 2017
U38 9 February 2018
U39 Hitachi 24 August 2018
U40 11 January 2019
U41 Kawasaki HI 23 March 2018
U42 Hitachi 4 February 2019
U43 Kawasaki HI 4 March 2019
U44 Hitachi 29 May 2019
U45 25 February 2020
U46 Kawasaki HI 21 September 2021
U47 Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing 10 April 2023
U48 Kawasaki HI 12 June 2023
U49 Hitachi 23 June 2023
U50 5 August 2023
U51 3 October 2023
U52
U53
U54
U55
U56
U57
U58
U59

H5

As of 1 October 2021, the H5 series fleet is as follows.

Set H2 was withdrawn in April 2022 following damage sustained from the 2022 Fukushima earthquake. The set was dismantled as of December 2022. It was later moved to a Shinkansen depot in Nanae, Hokkaido where it will be used for staff training.

Set number Manufacturer Official delivery date
H1 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 1 November 2014
*H2 Hitachi 8 November 2014
H3 Kawasaki Heavy Industries 23 May 2015
H4 3 August 2015

Accidents and incidents

H5 series set H2, coupled with E6 series set Z9 and operating as Yamabiko No. 223 bound for Sendai, derailed during the 2022 Fukushima earthquake while traveling between Fukushima and Shiroishi-Zaō stations. There were no injuries on board.

Export to India

The E5 series trains with red and grey livery have been chosen for use on the planned 1.08 lakh crore (US$14 billion) Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor in India, scheduled to open in December 2027.

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-02-09 18:07 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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