Locomotives / Train Sets

E5 / H5 Series (Shinkansen)

Electric, Tilting Locomotive

Series: "E5/H5"

Entry Last Edited: 01/17/2024 | Content ©www.RailRoadJunction.net | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image of the E5 / H5 Series (Shinkansen)

The E5-H5 series of Shinkansen high-speed tilting commuter trains gives passengers a jet-like flying experience on the ground.

Japan commuter services are some of the most advanced and efficient anywhere in the world with several high-speed design types currently (2023) in play. This includes the E5/H5 high-speed "tilting" lines offering considerable time savings when traversing the Japanese mainland. The E5 and H5 series were developed to succeed an aging line of 200, E1, E2, and E4 train sets in Japanese high-speed commuter service and continue in active operational service today (2023).

Original forms falling under the E5 designation debuted in 2011 and these have been actively constructed since 2009 to the tune of 460 total cars across 46 total train sets. The model formally entered commuter railway service on March 5th, 2011 and is operated by JR East. The train is also set to be introduced with National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) of India sometime in 2026-2027.

The H5 model followed in 2016 and it was constructed from the period spanning 2014 to 2015, totaling just 40 cars across four total train sets. Active service of this model type began on March 26th, 2016 and the design is exclusively operated with JR Hokkaido.

Construction of both trains is under the Hitachi Rail and the Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) Rolling Stock Company brand labels. These units depot at Sendai and lines served include Tohoku Shinkansen, Hokkaido Shinkansen, and - beginning in 2026 - Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSRC of India.

A typical train set sees ten cars in the formation allowing for seating for up to 731 passengers. The entire train measures 830 feet long with individual intermediate cars being 82.25 feet long and end cars measuring in at 86.11 feet in length. The train weighs 500 short tons and construction is largely of aluminum alloy.

Externally, the front car (car No.1) features a long "nose" assembly intended to reduce buffeting of the train when going into tunnels at the required high speeds. An inherent "tilting" feature is also in play, keeping passengers comfortable and luggage secure while the train can retain its high-speed form when entering and exiting curves. The driver is positioned at front-left in the lead car behind a space-age instrument panel dominated by three informational screens. The typical control levers are present and a systems board dominates the wall panel to his/her left. A framed windshield covers the frontal aspect of the position with smaller corner windows providing limited exterior visibility for the driver. A second crewman can be seated at front-right. The conductor's compartment is found in car No.9 and lavatories are located inside every other car in the ten-car formation.

The train is powered through a conventional (and proven) overhead catenary setup drawing 25 kV 50 Hz AC by way of h a PS209 series low-noise Pantograph assembly (this assembly is noted over cars No.3 and No.7). The traction system is a 3-level IGBT-VVVF system and there are 32 MT207 traction motors in play developing upwards of 402 horsepower each. The result is a total output of 12,874 horsepower allowing the train to reach speeds of nearly 200 miles-per-hour (officially 198.8mph, or 320 kmh). Braking is through an electro-pneumatic (Electronically-Controlled Pneumatic Brakes) regenerative system and safety is provided by a DS-ATC (Automatic Train Control) system.

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Specifications [ E5 / H5 Series (Shinkansen) ]

Hitachi Rail; Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) Rolling Stock Company - Japan
Builder

Japan
Origin

2009 - Ongoing
Production Run

25 units
Production Total

Front-Left
Driver Position

26.5m | 86.9 ft
Length
NOTE: May include length of entire train set

42,000 kg
(92,610 lb | 46 US Tons)
Weight

Electric, Tilting
Power Source

3-level Mitsubishi Electric, Hitachi, or Toshiba IGBT-VVVF; 25 kV Hz AC electric overhead catenary arrangement accessed via Pantograph.
Engine / Drive Source

32 x MT207 units developing 402 horsepower with 3-phase induction motor.
Traction Motor / Sets

12,874 hp
Rated Output Power

320.0 kph
(198.9 mph)
Max Speed

Wheel Arrangement
(Loco Facing Left)

DS-ATC

Safety Systems

Operating Countries
India (2027); Japan

Customers / Operators:
JR East; JR Hokkaido; Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSRC
NOTE: Includes both past and present

Image of the E5 / H5 Series (Shinkansen)

Front portside view of an incoming E5 Shinkansen high-speed train in Japan.
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