Fastech 360

Fastech 360 is the name given to a pair of former experimental high-speed EMU trainsets developed by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) to test technology for the next-generation Shinkansen rolling stock. The name is a portmanteau of Fast, Technology, and 360 km/h (360 km/h or 224 mph), the target operational speed for production trains based on the new technologies. Speeds of up to 405 km/h (251.7 mph) were targeted during performance testing.[1] Results of testing using these trains was incorporated into the E5 series and E6 series trains, entering revenue service from 2011, eventually operating at 320 km/h (198.8 mph).

There were 2 trains:

  • Class E954 Fastech 360S: 8-car set for use on shinkansen tracks only
  • Class E955 Fastech 360Z: 6-car set for use on both shinkansen and Mini-shinkansen lines
Detail of signature air brakes in deployed state

Fastech 360 trains were equipped with emergency air braking plates like that of an aircraft, similar in appearance to the ears of a cat. This trait earned them a nickname of Nekomimi Shinkansen (猫耳新幹線), which literally means "cat-eared Shinkansen". This technology was not incorporated in the subsequent E5 series or E6 series trains.

Class E954 Fastech 360S

Class E954 "Fastech 360S"
The Fastech 360S train (stream-line end) at Omiya Station in May 2008
In service 2005–2009
Manufacturer Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Constructed 2005
Scrapped 2009
Number built 8 vehicles
Number in service None
Number preserved None
Number scrapped 8 vehicles
Formation 8 cars
Fleet numbers S9
Operator(s) JR East
Depot(s) Sendai
Line(s) served Tohoku Shinkansen, Joetsu Shinkansen
Specifications
Car body construction Aluminium alloy
Maximum speed 360 km/h (225 mph) (nominal)
Electric system(s) 25 kV AC, 50 Hz
Current collection method Overhead catenary
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)

This 8-car set (S9) was delivered on 26 June 2005. Cars 1 to 3 were built by Hitachi, and cars 4 to 8 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.[2]

Car E954-1 has a stream-line profile, reminiscent of the 500 series, and E954-8 has an arrow-line profile more reminiscent of the JR East E2 series and E4 series designs.[3]

The train was withdrawn in September 2009 and scrapped.[4]

Formation

  1. E954-1 (T1c)
  2. E954-2 (M1) (with pantograph)
  3. E954-3 (M2) (with toilet)
  4. E954-4 (M2)
  5. E954-5 (M1s)
  6. E954-6 (M2)
  7. E954-7 (M1) (with pantograph)
  8. E954-8 (T2c)

Class E955 Fastech 360Z

Class E955 "Fastech 360Z"
The Fastech 360Z set S10 at Sendai Shinkansen Depot in July 2008
In service 2006–2008
Manufacturer Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Constructed 2006
Scrapped 2008
Number built 6 vehicles
Number in service None
Number preserved None
Number scrapped 6 vehicles
Formation 6 cars
Fleet numbers S10
Operator(s) JR East
Line(s) served Tohoku Shinkansen, Akita Shinkansen
Specifications
Car body construction Aluminium alloy
Maximum speed 360 km/h (225 mph) (nominal)
130 km/h (80 mph) (Akita Shinkansen)
Electric system(s) 25/20 kV AC, 50 Hz
Current collection method Overhead catenary
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)

This 6-car set (S10) was delivered on 6 April 2006. Cars 1 and 4 to 6 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and cars 2 and 3 were built by Hitachi[5] The train was withdrawn in December 2008 and scrapped.[2]

Formation

  1. E955-1 (M2c)
  2. E955-2 (M1s)
  3. E955-3 (M1) (with pantograph and toilet)
  4. E955-4 (M1)
  5. E955-5 (M1) (with pantograph)
  6. E955-6 (M2c)

References

  1. ↑ "FASTECH 360 High-Speed Shinkansen Test Train to Debut". 9 March 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  2. 1 2 JR電車編成表 2009夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2009]. Japan: JRR. June 2009. p. 13. ISBN 978-4-330-06909-8.
  3. ↑ プロトタイプの世界 - Prototype World. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbunsha. December 2005. OCLC 170056962.
  4. ↑ JR電車編成表 2010夏 [JR EMU Formations - Summer 2010]. Japan: JRR. May 2010. p. 13. ISBN 978-4-330-14310-1.
  5. ↑ JR電車編成表 '07冬号 [JR EMU Formations - Winter 2007]. Japan: JRR. December 2006. p. 12. ISBN 4-88283-046-9.
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