E8 Series Shinkansen

E8 series
E8 series
	Set G1 undergoing testing in July 2023
In service	2024–present
Manufacturer	Hitachi; Kawasaki Railcar Mfg.;
Designer	Ken Okuyama
Family name	Mini-shinkansen
Replaced	E3 series
Constructed	2022-2026
Entered service	16 March 2024
Number under construction	98 vehicles (14 sets)
Number built	7 vehicles (1 set) as of January 2023
Formation	7 cars per trainset
Fleet numbers	G1–
Capacity	355 (26 Green + 329 standard)
Operators	JR East
Depots	Yamagata
Lines served	Tohoku Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen
Specifications
Doors	1 per side
Maximum speed	Tohoku Shinkansen:; 300 km/h (190 mph); Yamagata Shinkansen:; 130 km/h (80 mph);
Electric system(s)	20/25 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead catenary
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
Safety system(s)	DS-ATC; RS-ATC; ATS-P;
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The E8 series (E8系) is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type on order for Tsubasa services announced on 3 March 2020. It will progressively replace the E3 series from 2024 onwards, raising the top speed of the service from 275 to 300 kilometers per hour (171 to 186 mph). It is designed by Ken Okuyama, in cooperation with Kawasaki Heavy Industries.^[1]

The train type entered service on 16 March 2024, the start date of the revised timetable for the year.^[2] Though 17 sets were originally planned to be built, this was reduced to 15 sets due to reduced travel demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.^[3] These sets are to be built by Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing and Hitachi.^[4]

The first set, numbered G1, was delivered to Sendai Shinkansen Depot on 30 January 2023.^[5]

Design

The train was designed to invoke the richness of the landscape of the Yamagata region, and the "weaving together of nature and people". The exterior coloring is unchanged from the re-liveried E3 series, also designed by Ken Okuyama: white, evoking the snow of Mount Zaō; deep purple inspired by the Mandarin duck, the prefectural bird for Yamagata Prefecture; and yellow and red for the safflower, the prefectural flower of Yamagata Prefecture.^[6]

All cars are equipped with full active suspension.^[1]

The increased top speed from 275 to 300 kilometers per hour (171 to 186 mph) is possible due to its 9-meter-long (29 ft 6 in) nose, 3 meters (9 ft 10 in) longer than the current E3 series.^[7]

Formation

The E8 uses the same 5M2T-formation as the E3 and E6 series mini-shinkansen, meaning that it consists of 5 powered (motor), and 2 non-powered (trailer) cars.^[1]^[4]

Car No.	11	12	13	14	15	16	17
Designation	E811-0 (Msc)	E828-0 (T1)	E825-0 (M1)	E825-100 (M2)	E827-0 (M3)	E829-0 (T2)	E821-0 (Mc)

Cars 12 and 16 are each equipped with a single-arm pantograph.

Interior

The 7-car trains have two service classes: ordinary cars and Green cars, with a seating capacity of 355. This is 39 fewer seats than the E3 series trains it replaces. Both seating configurations are 2+2 abreast, as is the case for all other mini-Shinkansen trains. AC power outlets are available in both classes. Both the cabins and vestibules are equipped with security cameras. The green car has room for one wheelchair user, while each ordinary car has room for two. All seven cars are equipped to handle large baggage.^{[citation needed]}

The color scheme of the Green car seating is inspired by the blue waters of the Mogami River, combined with the lush greenery covering Mount Gassan. The ordinary car seating draws inspiration from the traditional process of extracting the color of the safflower, which is why the color gradually becomes less saturated moving from the seat cushion to the headrest. The center aisle carpet was designed based on the image of the safflower, represented by the seats, reflecting on the waters of the Mogami River as it flows between them.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "山形新幹線をより便利に快適にします" [Make the Yamagata Shinkansen more convenient and comfortable] (PDF). jreast.co.jp. 東日本旅客鉄道株式会社. 3 March 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
^ "山形新幹線 25年ぶりの新型車両「E8系」営業運転開始" ["E8 series", begins revenue service, the first new vehicle on the Yamagata Shinkansen in 25 years]. NHK. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
^ "山形新幹線の新型車両削減" [Reduction in new Yamagata Shinkansen train sets]. Kyodo News Online (in Japanese). 18 May 2022. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b JR東日本「E8系」山形新幹線の新型車両公開、撮影会も - 写真60枚 [JR East unveils new "E8 series" train for the Yamagata Shinkansen - 60 photos]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). 24 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
^ "New E8 bullet train". Japan Today. 30 January 2023. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
^ "山形新幹線E3系のエクステリアデザインを変更" [Exterior design change for Yamagata Shinkansen E3 series]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
^ Hosozawa, Ayateru (23 March 2020). "Ahead by a nose: Faster bullet trains coming to Yamagata in '24". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2022.