500 Series Shinkansen
| 500 series | |
|---|---|
16-car 500 series on Nozomi service, May 2008
|
|
| In service | 1997–present |
| Manufacturer | Hitachi, , Kinki Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo |
| Replaced | 0 series |
| Constructed | 1995–1998 |
| Refurbishment | 2008-2010 |
| Number built | 144 vehicles (9 sets) |
| Number in service | 64 vehicles (8 sets) |
| Number preserved | 1 vehicle |
| Number scrapped | 79 vehicles |
| Formation | 8 (originally 16) cars per trainset |
| Fleet numbers | V2–V9 |
| Capacity | 16-car W set: 1,324 (200 Green + 1,124 Standard) 8-car V set: 608 |
| Operator(s) | JR-West |
| Depot(s) | Hakata |
| Line(s) served | Sanyo Shinkansen, Hakata-Minami Line |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium alloy |
| Car length | 25,000 mm (82 ft 0 in) (intermediate cars), 27,000 mm (88 ft 7 in) (end cars) |
| Width | 3,380 mm (11 ft 1 in) |
| Height | 3,690 mm (12 ft 1 in) |
| Maximum speed |
W set: 300 km/h (186 mph) (Sanyō) V set: 285 km/h (177 mph) Design speed: 320 km/h (199 mph) |
| Traction system | (AC) WMT204 64 x 285 kW (382 hp) (set W1)/275 kW (369 hp) (set W2 onward) |
| Power output | 18.24 MW (24,460 hp) (set W1), 17.60 MW (23,600 hp) (set W2 onward) |
| Acceleration |
1.6 km/h/s (0.44 m·s−2) 1.92 km/h/s (0.53 m·s−2) (High acceleration mode) |
| Deceleration | 2.7 km/h/s (0.75 m·s−2) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV AC, 60 Hz overhead catenary |
| Current collection method |
W set: "T"-style current collector V set: Pantograph |
| Safety system(s) | ATC-1, ATC-NS |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
1.6 km/h/s (0.44 m·s−2)
The 500 series (500系 Gohyaku-kei?) is a Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) on the Tokaido Shinkansen and Sanyo Shinkansen lines in Japan. They were designed to be capable of 320 km/h (200 mph) but operated at 300 km/h (185 mph), until they were finally retired from the primary Nozomi service in 2010. The trainsets were then refurbished and downgraded to the all-stations Kodama service between Shin-Osaka and Hakata.
The general design concept was overseen by German industrial designer Alexander Neumeister. The running gear utilizes computer-controlled active suspension for a smoother, safer ride, and yaw dampers are fitted between cars for improved stability. All sixteen cars in each original trainset were powered, giving a maximum of 18.24 MW (24,460 hp). Each train cost an estimated 5 billion yen, and only nine were built.
First announced by JR-West in September 1994, the first set was delivered for testing in 1995, entering passenger service in March 1997. The entire fleet of nine sets was delivered by 1998. It was the first Shinkansen train in Japan to operate at a maximum speed of 300 km/h (185 mph) in regular passenger service. Besides the premium Nozomi services, 16-car trains were also used on Hikari Rail Star services during the busy holiday periods.
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Wikipedia