Tuesday 7 July 2015

EMU N700-R and S Series on the Kyushu Shinkansen

Set number S5 of the EMU JR West N700-S series stands at Kagoshima-chuo Station
 
Along with the EMU 800 series, another model is operated on the Kyushu Shinkansen. It is the EMU N700-R and S series jointly developed by JR Kyushu and JR West. The N700-R (JR Kyushu) and S (JR West) were launched in 2008, when the entire rooute of the Kyushu Shinkansen was inaugurated. A total of 30 sets, 240 units have been built so far by Hitachi, Nippon Sharyo, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kinki Sharyo.

As you know, the N700 series is operated by JR Central and JR West on the Tokaido Shinkansen as well. What is the difference of the N700 series between the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen? The main difference is their length. The N700 series for the Tokaido Shinkansen (N700-Z, N, X, K, G and F) is a 16-car train with a total of 400 meters, meanwhile the same model for the Kyushu Shinkansen (N700-R and S) is an 8-car train with a total of 200 meters.


The outer design is mostly the same, but the body color is slightly different. The N700 series for the Tokaido Shinkansen is white colored, meanwhile the same model for the Kyushu Shinkansen is celadon-porcelain colored. The cross seats of the standard class (reserved seats) train for the Kyushu Shinkansen are spacious with a 2+2 configuration, meanwhile the same class seats for the Tokaido Shinkansen are a 3+2 configuration.

For your information, the maximum speed of the N700 series for the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen is the same... 300 km per hour. It is the second fastest train in Japan.

The N700-R and S, they are operated as "Mizuho (rice-plants)" and "Sakura (cherry)" super-express trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen.

 
Side view of the EMU JR West N700-S series for the Kyushu and Sanyo Shinkansen
 
More information about the EMU N700-S and R series (in English):
More information about the EMU N700-S and R series (in Japanese):