Tuesday 14 May 2013

EMU Shinkansen 700 Series, Elder Brother of the N700


EMU JR West 700 series stands at Tokyo Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen

I assumed that I had already introduced all of the Shinakansen trains to and from Tokyo Station in my blog; but, there are some left. Today, I am going to show you the EMU 700 series on the Tokaido Shinkansen.

The Shinkansen EMU 700 series belongs to JR Central and West on the Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkensen. It was launched in 1999 to replace the old rolling stock, such as the 0 series (see my blog on May 8th, 2013) and the 300 series (see my blog on February 19th, 2012). A total of 91 sets, 1328 units have been manufactured by Nihon Sharyo, Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kinki Sharyo. Currently, a total of 1284 units are still being operated by JR Central and West.

The biggest difference between the 300 and the 700 series is the exterior design. The 300 series has a simple streamline shape; meanwhile the 700 series has a more complicated "platypus" shape. The 300 series' maximum speed is 270km/hour; meanwhile the maximum speed for the 700 series is 285km/hour.

Several little brothers of the 700 series are also operated in Japan and Taiwan. For instance, the JR Central/West's latest Shinkansen trains, the EMU N700 series (see my blog on February 22nd, 2012), is an improved rolling stock from the 700 series. Similarly, JR Kyushu's Shinaknsen train, the EMU 800 series and Taiwan High Speed Rail's 700T series is also a little brother of the 700 series.

The 700 series has a big family doesn't it?

EMU JR Central 700 series passes through the Yurakucho area near Tokyo Station