Locomotives / Train Sets

N700 Series (Shinkansen)

Electric, Tilting Locomotive

Series: "Shinkansen"

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

The N700 Series was brought online in Japan to succeed an aging line of 300, 500, and 700 Series high-speed trainsets.

The N700 Series "Shinkansen" is a Japanese tilting bullet train exclusively for high-speed passenger rail service. Construction of the series was undertaken from 2005 into 2020 by Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), Kinki Sharyo, and Nippon Sharyo. The series was used to directly succeed an aging line of trainsets of similar form and function, namely the earlier 300 Series, 500 Series, and 700 Series types. All told, 179 sets have been manufactured resulting in 2,624 total vehicles. Primary operators of the N700 are JR Central, JR Kyushu, and JR-West with depots in Tokyo, Hakata, Osaka, and Kumamoto.

JR Central holds the lion's share of the trainsets built, followed by JR West. At least three units are preserved as showpieces, these being 783-9001, 775-9001, and 786-9201.

End cars have the distinct "long-nose" assembly with embedded headlamps and a streamlined cockpit window. Hinged, rectangular doors offer access to the cars from the sides and rounded rectangle windows dot the length of the train. Each intermediate car has a length of 82 feet with end cars reaching 89.8 feet long. Their beams measure 11 feet and height is 11.9 feet sans equipment. Construction of the car bodies is of aluminum. A 16-car set tips the scales at 715 tons.

The train utilizes an overhead line connected via Pantograph to supply the 25 kV 60 Hz AC electrical system. Traction motors supply up to 409 horsepower and total output power of the train is 22,905 horsepower. The wheel arrangement is of 2'2'+14'Bo'Bo'+2'2'. The braking system is of pneumatic, regenerative design. The tilting action of this train ensures passenger comfort and luggage safety as the train whips through corners at-speed. Couple this with basic passenger creature comforts and the train makes passenger rail service feel more like commercial flying.

The N700 trainsets were introduced in 2007 and offered speeds up to 185 miles-per-hour. The Tokaido section reaches speeds of 177 miles-per-hour while the Sanyo segment follows at 186mph (300kmh) and the Kyushu leg at 162mph.

Within the series are sub-models beginning with the N700-1000 and running to the N700-9000 (a prototype ultimately retired in 2019).

The N700A models followed and these were notable for their improved traction motors and enhanced acceleration/deceleration capabilities. This led to all original N700 models being upgraded to the A-model standard.

The N700S was introduced in 2019 and began formal operations in July of 2020 as an improved offshoot of the N700 line.

Onboard safety systems include ATC-NS and KS-ATC.

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Specifications [ N700 Series (Shinkansen) ]

Hitachi; Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI); Kinki Sharyo; Nippon Sharyo
Builder

Japan
Origin

2005 - 2020
Production Run

179 units
Production Total

Front-Center
Driver Position

27.4m | 89.7 ft
Length
NOTE: May include length of entire train set

44,700 kg
(98,564 lb | 49 US Tons)
Weight

Electric, Tilting
Power Source

25 kV 60 Hz AC electrical system accessed via overhead Pantograph.
Engine / Drive Source

56 x 409 horsepower systems.
Traction Motor / Sets

22,905 hp
Rated Output Power

300.0 kph
(186.5 mph)
Max Speed

Wheel Arrangement
(Loco Facing Left)

ATC-NS

KS-ATC

Safety Systems

Series Variants
N700 - Model of 2007; maximum operating speed of 185mph.
N700A - Enhanced traction, acceleration, and deceleration; all N700 sets brought up to A-model standard since.
N700S - Model of 2019; formal operations began in mid-2020.

Operating Countries
Japan

Customers / Operators:
JR Central; JR Kyushu; JR-West
NOTE: Includes both past and present

Image of the N700 Series (Shinkansen)

Profile image of the N700A high-speed train.
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