E7 and W7 Series Shinkansen

E7 & W7 series
W7 series set in August 2020
In service
  • 15 March 2014 (2014-03-15) – present (E7)
  • 14 March 2015 (2015-03-14) – present (W7)
Manufacturers
DesignerKen Okuyama
ReplacedE2 series, E4 series
Constructed2013–2023
Entered service2014 – present
Number built852 vehicles (71 sets)
Number in service732 vehicles (61 sets)
Number scrapped120 vehicles (8 E7 & 2 W7 sets; flood damage)
Formation12 cars per set
Fleet numbersF1–F47; W1–W24
Capacity934
OperatorsJR East, JR West
DepotsHakusan, Nagano, Niigata
Lines servedHokuriku Shinkansen, Jōetsu Shinkansen
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium alloy
Car length
  • End cars: 26 m (85 ft)
  • Intermediate cars: 25 m (82 ft)
Width3.38 m (11.1 ft)
Height3.65 m (12.0 ft)
Doors2 sliding doors per side, per car
Maximum speed275 km/h (171 mph)
Weight540 t (1,190,000 lb)
Power output12,000 kW (16,000 hp)
Acceleration1.6 km/(h⋅s) (1.0 mph/s)
Electric systems
Current collectionSingle-arm pantograph
Safety systemsDS-ATC, RS-ATC
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
This train won the 58th Blue Ribbon Award in 2015.

The E7 series (Japanese: E7系) and W7 series (W7系) Shinkansen are Japanese high-speed electric multiple unit train types operated on the Hokuriku and Jōetsu Shinkansen lines, and jointly developed by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company (JR West) respectively.

The E7 series has operated since 15 March 2014 on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. It also operates on the Jōetsu Shinkansen following the March 2019 timetable revision. 47 sets have been built, of which 39 are in service as of March 2024.

The W7 series has operated on the Hokuriku Shinkansen since it was extended from Nagano to Kanazawa in March 2015. The first W7 series train was delivered in April 2014. 24 sets have been built, of which 22 are in service as of March 2024.

Design

Based on the earlier E2 series trains, the E7 and W7 series trains are designed with a "Japanese" theme inside and out, combining futuristic styling with traditional design elements overseen by industrial designer Ken Okuyama together with Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Externally, the roof is finished in a "sky blue" color, and the body sides are "ivory white" with "copper" and "sky blue" lining. The body side logos consist of a number "7" in silver stylized as an arrowhead, and include the lettering "East Japan Railway Company" or "West Japan Railway Company".

Manufacturing of the E7 and W7 series sets was shared between Hitachi in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe; additionally the E7 in J-TREC in Yokohama, and W7 in Kinki Sharyo in Osaka.

The trains have a maximum design speed of 275 km/h (170 mph), achieving it between Omiya and Takasaki, and operate at a maximum speed of 260 km/h (160 mph) on the rest of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and at 110 km/h (70 mph) on the Tohoku Shinkansen tracks between Tokyo and Omiya. Increased power output enables the trains to maintain speeds of at least 210 km/h (130 mph) on the steep gradients of the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

Car 12 (Gran Class) is equipped with full active suspension, and the other cars are equipped with semi-active suspension.

Operations

The trains entered regular passenger service from the start of the revised JR East timetable on 15 March 2014, with three trainsets introduced on Asama services on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (then still called the Nagano Shinkansen) between Tokyo and Nagano. Initially, E7 series trainsets operated seven return Asama services daily, with a further four return workings added from 19 April 2014.

Since 14 March 2015, with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension from Nagano to Kanazawa, E7 series trainsets are also used on Hakutaka, Kagayaki, and Tsurugi services alongside the similar design JR West W7 series trains.

Interior

The 12-car trains have accommodation in three levels of service: Gran Class, Green car, and ordinary-class cars, with a total seating capacity of 934. Gran Class seating (car 12) is arranged 2+1 abreast with a seat pitch of 1,300 mm (51 in), Green car seating (car 11) is arranged 2+2 abreast with a seat pitch of 1,160 mm (46 in), and ordinary seating (cars 1 to 10) is arranged 3+2 abreast with a seat pitch of 1,040 mm (41 in). AC power outlets are provided for each seat in all three classes. The Gran class seats are supplied by Toyota Boshoku. Car saloons and vestibule areas are equipped with security cameras. Between October and December 2015, luggage racks are scheduled to be added at one end of each of the even-numbered ordinary class cars and also in Green car 11, by removing a pair of seats (1D and 1E). The luggage racks are to cater to the increased number of overseas tourists with suitcases and also passengers with ski and snowboard equipment in the winter season.

Formations

The E7 series sets are numbered "F1" onward, and the W7 series sets are numbered "W1" onward. All sets consist of 10 motored intermediate cars with non-powered (trailer) end cars. Car 11 provides Green car (first class) accommodation, and car 12 provides Gran Class luxury accommodation. Sets are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end.

Car No. 123456789101112
Designation TcM2M1M2M1M2M1M2M1M2M1sTsc
Class Ordinary Green Gran
Numbering (E7 series) E723E726‑100E725E726‑200E725‑100E726‑300E725‑200E726‑400E725‑400E726‑500E715E714
Numbering (W7 series) W723‑100W726‑100W725‑100W726‑200W725‑200W726‑300W725‑300W726‑400W725‑400W726‑500W715‑500W714‑500
Weight (t) 41.344.746.145.246.445.246.545.246.445.045.644.5
Capacity 5010085100859058100851006318
Facilities Toilet Toilet ToiletConductor's officeToilet, wheelchair space Toilet Toilet, wheelchair spaceToilet

Cars 3 and 7 are each equipped with a single-arm pantograph.

Build histories

As of 1 April 2021, 47 E7 series sets and 24 W7 series sets have been built, with build details as follows. Eight E7 series sets and two W7 series sets were withdrawn in 2020 following flood damage sustained during Typhoon Hagibis.

E7 series fleet
SetManufacturerDelivered Withdrawn
F1Kawasaki27 November 2013 31 March 2020
F2Hitachi25 December 2013 31 March 2020
F3 Hitachi30 January 2014
F4Kawasaki24 February 2014
F5 Kawasaki18 March 2014
F6 Kawasaki2 June 2014
F7J-TREC26 June 2014 5 March 2020
F8 J-TREC14 July 2014 31 March 2020
F9 J-TREC27 August 2014
F10Hitachi16 September 2014 14 January 2020
F11J-TREC6 October 2014
F12 J-TREC10 November 2014
F13Hitachi19 December 2014
F14 Hitachi19 January 2015 31 March 2020
F15Kawasaki6 February 2015
F16Hitachi8 April 2015 31 March 2020
F17Kawasaki6 March 2015
F18J-TREC26 October 2015 31 March 2020
F19Kawasaki3 April 2017
F20 Kawasaki31 October 2018
F21Hitachi20 November 2018
F22Kawasaki5 December 2018
F23Hitachi8 September 2019
F24 Hitachi8 September 2019
F25Kawasaki7 October 2019
F26Hitachi11 November 2019
F27 Hitachi24 January 2020
F28J-TREC25 January 2022
F29Kawasaki9 November 2020
F30 Kawasaki3 December 2020
F31Hitachi26 February 2021
F32 Kawasaki 11 May 2021
F33 Hitachi 17 August 2021
F34 Hitachi 6 October 2021
F35 J-TREC 9 November 2021
F36 Kawasaki 21 October 2021
F37 Hitachi 3 August 2022
F38 Kawasaki 6 December 2022
F39 Kawasaki 30 January 2023
F40 Hitachi 12 May 2021
F41 Hitachi 4 June 2021
F42 Kawasaki 7 June 2021
F43 J-TREC 2 August 2021
F44 Hitachi 14 January 2022
F45 Hitachi 21 November 2022
F46 Kawasaki 28 March 2023
F47 Hitachi 11 January 2023
W7 series fleet
SetManufacturerDelivered Withdrawn
W1Kawasaki30 April 2014
W2Hitachi5 June 2014 31 March 2020
W3Kawasaki30 June 2014
W4Hitachi18 July 2014
W5Kawasaki21 August 2014
W6 Kawasaki11 September 2014
W7Kinki Sharyo27 September 2014 31 March 2020
W8Hitachi15 October 2014
W9 Hitachi3 November 2014
W10Kinki Sharyo26 December 2014
W11Hitachi17 September 2015
W12 Hitachi 29 October 2021
W13 Hitachi 8 December 2021
W14 Hitachi 31 March 2022
W15 Hitachi 11 November 2023
W16 Hitachi 2 December 2023
W17 Kawasaki 31 May 2022
W18 Kawasaki 6 July 2022
W19 Kawasaki 5 July 2022
W20 Kawasaki 24 August 2022
W21 Kinki Sharyo 22 November 2022
W22 Kawasaki 28 October 2022
W23 Kinki Sharyo 18 October 2023
W24 Hitachi 6 December 2022

History

Cars of the first W7 series set, W1, being unloaded at Kanazawa Port in April 2014

In December 2011, the Mainichi Shimbun reported that JR East was considering developing new E7 series 10-car sets based on the existing E2 series design for use on Hokuriku Shinkansen services. In January 2012, the head of JR-West's Kanazawa Division revealed that new trains for the Hokuriku Shinkansen would be developed in conjunction with JR East, and that test running would need to be conducted during the winter season a year before the line opening to thoroughly test the ability of the trains to cope with snowy conditions. Details of the new trains were formally announced jointly by JR East and JR West on 4 September 2012.

The first E7 series train was delivered to Sendai Depot in November 2013, and shown off to the media on 28 November. Night-time testing commenced in December 2013 on the Nagano Shinkansen, with daytime test-running between Nagano and Tokyo starting on 8 January 2014. The design of the logo to be applied to the sides of cars 1 and 12 was officially unveiled in February 2014.

The first three trains, sets F1 to F3, entered regular passenger service from the start of the revised JR East timetable on 15 March 2014. The entire fleet of 17 sets, numbered F1 to F17, was delivered by the start of the 14 March 2015 timetable revision, although sets F16 and F17 did not enter revenue service until after this date.

The first W7 series train was delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe to Hakusan Depot in Hakusan, Ishikawa in April 2014. Test-running on the Hokuriku Shinkansen began on 5 August 2014, initially at low speed, between Kanazawa and Jōetsumyōkō.

In April 2015, JR East announced that it was ordering an additional E7 series set to be introduced from autumn 2015, replacing the remaining E2 series trainsets used on regularly scheduled Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama services.

In May 2015, the W7 series and E7 series were awarded the 2015 Blue Ribbon Award, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club. A presentation ceremony was held at JR West's Hakusan Depot on 24 October 2015.

On 12 October 2019, eight E7 series and two W7 series trains were damaged due to floodwaters from Typhoon Hagibis while they were stored at JR East Nagano Shinkansen Vehicle center. The sets were scrapped shortly thereafter.

In November 2021, JR East demonstrated autonomous operation with an E7 set in Niigata prefecture traveling 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) between Niigata Station and Niigata Shinkansen Rolling Stock Center. They started testing on 29 October.

From the start of the revised timetable on 18 March 2023, all train services on the Joetsu Shinkansen will be operated solely by E7 series sets as the line undergoes an operating speed increase from 240 to 275 km/h (150 to 170 mph). The trains will replace the older E2 series sets in the process.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 3月15日ダイヤ改正と各地の話題 [15 March timetable revision and topics from around the regions]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 43, no. 361. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. May 2014. p. 12.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "E7系・W7系新幹線電車" [E7/W7 series shinkansen EMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 52, no. 619. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 2012. pp. 48–49.
  3. 1 2 Ｗ７系、３０日に石川初走行 白山車両所 [W7 runs for first time inside Hakusan Depot]. The Hokkoku Shimbun (in Japanese). Japan. 24 April 2014. Archived from the original on 30 August 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  4. ↑ 北陸路走る 伝統と未来 新幹線デザイン決定 [Hokuriku Shinkansen design announced - tradition and future]. Chunichi Web (in Japanese). Japan: The Chunichi Shimbun. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. 1 2 3 北陸新幹線用の新型車両について [New trains for Hokuriku Shinkansen] (PDF). Press release (in Japanese). Japan: JR East & JR West. 4 September 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  6. 1 2 北陸新幹線用新型車両シンボルマークデザイン決定 [Logo design finalized for new Hokuriku Shinkansen trains] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: East Japan Railway Company & West Japan Railway Company. 13 February 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  7. ↑ 総合車両製作所、北陸新幹線の車両生産工場増強－６０両５編成受注 [J-TREC expands its rolling stock manufacturing facilities for Hokuriku Shinkansen trains, with order for 60 vehicles]. Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Business Line (in Japanese). Japan: The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Ltd. 26 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "E7系新幹線電車" [E7 series shinkansen EMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 54, no. 634. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. February 2014. pp. 9–13.
  9. ↑ Saito, Masatoshi (4 September 2012). ＪＲ東:北陸新幹線の新型車両「Ｅ７系」概要発表 [JR East announces details of new E7 series for Hokuriku Shinkansen]. Mainichi jp (in Japanese). Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. Retrieved 4 September 2012.[dead link]
  10. ↑ "E7系による"とき"運転開始" [E7 series begins "Toki" operations]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 16 March 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  11. ↑ 北陸新幹線 長野～金沢間開業に伴う運行計画の概要について [Outline of service plans for opening of Hokuriku Shinkansen from Nagano to Kanazawa] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: JR East & JR West. 27 August 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 July 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  12. ↑ トヨタ紡織、鉄道車両用シートを初受注 ～ 北陸新幹線「グランクラス」に採用 ～ [Toyota Boshoku wins first order for train seats - to be used on Hokuriku Shinkansen "Gran Class"]. News Release (in Japanese). Japan: Toyota Boshuku Corporation. 16 April 2013. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  13. ↑ 北陸新幹線Ｅ７系・Ｗ７系への荷物置場の設置について [Installation of luggage racks on Hokuriku Shinkansen E7/W7 series trains]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 3 September 2015. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  14. 1 2 "W7系新幹線電車" [W7 series shinkansen EMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 54, no. 638. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. June 2014. p. 67.
  15. 1 2 "E7系・W7系新幹線電車" [E7/W7 series shinkansen EMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 54, no. 635. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. March 2014. pp. 57–64.
  16. ↑ JR電車編成表 2017冬 [JR EMU Formations - Winter 2017] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 16 November 2016. p. 134. ISBN 978-4-330-73716-4.
  17. ↑ JR電車編成表 2017夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2017] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 18 May 2017. ISBN 978-4-330-78717-6.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 JR電車編成表2024夏 [JR Train Organization Table 2024 Summer] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2024. pp. 16–17. ISBN 9784330028248.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 JR電車編成表2024夏 [JR Train Organization Table 2024 Summer] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2024. p. 130. ISBN 9784330028248.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 JR旅客会社の車両配置表2014／JR車両のデータバンク2013-2014 [JR Passenger Company's Vehicle Layout 2014/JR Vehicle Data Bank 2013-2014]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 54, no. 639. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2014. p. 38.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 JR旅客会社の車両配置表2015／JR車両のデータバンク2014-2015 [JR Passenger Company's Vehicle Layout 2015/JR Vehicle Data Bank 2014-2015]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 55, no. 651. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2015. p. 36-37,46.
  22. 1 2 3 JR旅客会社の車両配置表2016／JR車両のデータバンク2015-2016 [JR Passenger Company's Vehicle Layout 2016/JR Vehicle Data Bank 2015-2016]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56, no. 663. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2016. p. 38,45.
  23. ↑ JR旅客会社の車両配置表2018／JR車両のデータバンク2017-2018 [JR Passenger Company's Vehicle Layout 2018/JR Vehicle Data Bank 2017-2018]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 58, no. 687. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2018. p. 35
  24. 1 2 3 JR旅客会社の車両配置表2019／JR車両のデータバンク2018-2019 [JR Passenger Company's Vehicle Layout 2019/JR Vehicle Data Bank 2018-2019]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 59, no. 699. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2019. p. 34-35
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 JR旅客会社の車両配置表2020／JR車両のデータバンク2019-2020 [JR Passenger Company's Vehicle Layout 2020/JR Vehicle Data Bank 2019-2020]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 60, no. 711. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2020. p. 32-39.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 JR旅客会社の車両配置表2022／JR車両のデータバンク2021-2022 [JR Passenger Company's Vehicle Layout 2021/JR Vehicle Data Bank 2021-2022]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 62, no. 735. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2022. p. 32-40.
  27. 1 2 3 JR旅客会社の車両配置表2021／JR車両のデータバンク2020-2021 [JR Passenger Company's Vehicle Layout 2021/JR Vehicle Data Bank 2020-2021]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 61, no. 732. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. July 2015. p. 32-40.
  28. ↑ Saito, Masatoshi (13 December 2011). 北陸新幹線：山越え時速２００キロ、パワフル「Ｅ７系」金沢へ 延伸でＪＲ東日本開発 [JR East to develop powerful E7 series to maintain 200 km/h through mountains to Kanazawa on Hokuriku Shinkansen]. Mainichi jp (in Japanese). Japan: The Mainichi Newspapers. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  29. ↑ 「大幅変更なし」 七尾線など、新幹線開業後も ["No major changes" to Nanao Line and others even after shinkansen route opens]. Ishikawa News (in Japanese). Japan: The Hokkoku Shimbun. 28 January 2012. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  30. ↑ 流線型に銅色ライン…北陸新幹線「Ｅ７系」公開 [Streamlined form with copper lining - Hokuriku Shinkansen "E7 series" unveiled]. Yomiuri Online (in Japanese). Japan: The Yomiuri Shimbun. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  31. ↑ Ｅ７系、昼の信濃路を疾走 長野－東京間試験走行 [E7 series starts daytime test-running between Nagano and Tokyo]. Shinmai Web (in Japanese). Japan: The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun. 9 January 2014. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  32. 1 2 平成27年3月14日ダイヤ改正にともなうJR東日本車両の動き [Rolling stock changes connected with the 14 March 2015 timetable revision]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 55, no. 649. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. May 2015. p. 68.
  33. ↑ "北陸新幹線金沢～上越妙高間でW7系による走行試験が始まる" [Test-running using W7 series begins on Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Jōetsumyōkō]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing. 5 August 2014. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  34. ↑ ＪＲ西 １３０億円増収効果 １６年３月期予想 秋以降に車両追加 [JR West forecasts profits of 13 billion yen for March 2016 - Additional train from autumn]. Chunichi Web (in Japanese). Japan: The Chunichi Shimbun. 1 May 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  35. ↑ ブルーリボン賞・ローレル賞 選定車両一覧 [Blue Ribbon Award & Laurel Prize Winner List] (in Japanese). Japan: Japan Railfan Club. 21 May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  36. ↑ E7系・W7系 ブルーリボン賞を受賞 [E7 and W7 series receive Blue Ribbon Award]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56, no. 658. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. February 2016. p. 67.
  37. ↑ "北陸新幹線、10編成が水につかる 台風19号、車両センター水没 | 社会 | 福井のニュース". 福井新聞ONLINE. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  38. ↑ "Japan typhoon Hagibis: Ten flooded bullet trains scrapped". BBC News. 6 November 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  39. ↑ "Japan's typhoon-damaged bullet trains to be scrapped - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  40. ↑ "Halted by typhoon, Tokyo-Kanazawa direct bullet train services to resume Oct. 25". 19 October 2019. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2019 – via Japan Times Online.
  41. ↑ "JR East shows off autonomous bullet train to media". The Japan Times. 17 November 2021. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  42. ↑ "JR東日本，3月18日にダイヤ改正を実施" [JR East Implements Schedule Revision Effective 18 March 2023]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 16 December 2022. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.