The 0 series (0系, Zero-kei) trains were the first generation Shinkansen trainsets built to run on Japan's Tōkaidō Shinkansenhigh-speed line which opened in 1964.[2] The last remaining trainsets were withdrawn in 2008 after 44 years of service.
History
The 0 series (which were not originally classified, as there was no need to distinguish classes of trainset until later[2]) entered service with the start of Tōkaidō Shinkansen operations in October 1964. These units were white with a blue stripe along the windows and another at the bottom of the car body, including the front pilot.
Unlike previous Japanese trains (except for some trains running on standard gauge sections on the Ou Main Line and Tohoku Main Line) the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and all subsequent Shinkansen lines are 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge between the rails. The trains were powered by 25 kV AC electricity at 60 Hz with all axles of all cars powered by 185 kW (248 hp) traction motors, giving a 220 km/h (137 mph) operation top speed.
The original trains were introduced as 12-car sets, with some sets later lengthened to 16 cars. Later, shorter trains of six cars and even four cars were assembled for lesser duties. Production of 0 series units continued from 1963 until 1986.
Shinkansen sets are generally retired after fifteen to twenty years. The final remaining 0 series sets were six-car sets used on JR-West Kodama services on the San'yō Shinkansen between Shin-Ōsaka and Hakata, and on the Hakata-Minami Line until their retirement on 30 November 2008.
Following retirement from regular service, JR-West ran a number of special commemorative Hikari runs in December 2008.[3]Hikari 347, powered by set R61,[4] arrived at Hakata Station at 6:01 pm on 14 December 2008, bringing to an end the 44 years of service of the 0 series trains.
Set formations
Original 12-car H/K/N/R/S sets
A 0 series set in Tokyo in May 1967Interior of a 1st class car in May 1967Analog speed display in the passenger compartment
The initial shinkansen fleet delivered for use on Hikari and Kodama services on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen from 1 October 1964 consisted of 30 12-car sets formed of 1st- and 2nd-batch cars. Six sets, H1 to H6, were built by Hitachi between April and August 1964, six sets, K1 to K6, were built by Kisha between July and September 1964, six sets, N1 to N6, were built by Nippon Sharyo between March and September 1964, six sets, R1 to R6, were built by Kawasaki Sharyo between July and September 1964, and six sets, S1 to S6, were built by Kinki Sharyo between April and August 1964.[5] These sets were allocated to Tokyo and Osaka depots.[6]
A further 10 12-car sets (H7/8, K7/8, N7/8, R7/8, S7/8) were delivered between April and July 1965, formed of 120 3rd-batch cars, five 4th-batch sets were delivered between June and July 1966, and five 5th-batch sets were delivered between October and November 1966.[6]
The original 12-car sets were formed as follows, with two first-class cars (type 15 and 16) and two buffet cars (type 35).[6]
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Designation
Mc
M'
M
M'
MB
M'
MS
M'S
MB
M'
M
M'c
Numbering
21
26
25
26-200
35
26-200
15
16
35
26
25
22
12-car H/K/N/R/S/T Kodama sets
A further 21 6th- to 9th-batch 12-car sets were delivered between 1967 and 1969 with only one first-class car (type 16) for use on Kodama services. The "T" sets were built by Tokyu Car Corporation.[6]
The original 30 12-car sets were lengthened to 16 cars between December 1969 and February 1970 with the inclusion of new 10th-batch cars for Hikari services to handle the increased number of passengers travelling to and from Expo '70 in Osaka in 1970. From the opening of the San'yō Shinkansen in 1972, these sets were renumbered H1 to H30.[6]
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Designation
Mc
M'
M
M'
MB
M'
M
M'
MS
M'S
MB
M'
M
M'
M
M'c
Numbering
21
26
25
26-200
35
26-200
25-700
26-700
15
16
35
26
25-500
26-700
25
22
16-car K Kodama sets
Between 1972 and 1973, the earlier 12-car Kodama sets were lengthened to 16 cars with the inclusion of new 13th- and 15th-batch cars, and were renumbered K1 to K47.[6]
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Designation
Mc
M'
M
M'
MK
M'
M
M'
M
M'
M
M'S
MB
M'
M
M'c
Numbering
21
26
25
26-300
25-400
26-200
25-200
26-800
25-500
26-800
25-700
16
35
26
25
22
16-car H Hikari restaurant car sets
With the opening of the Sanyo Shinkansen extension to Hakata, the fleet of 16-car H Hikari sets was reformed and increased between 1973 and 1974 with the inclusion of new 16th- and 17th-batch cars, including new restaurant cars (type 36) in addition to the buffet car (type 35). The fleet as of 10 March 1975 consisted of 64 sets, numbered H1 to H64.[6]
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Designation
Mc
M'
M
M'
M
M'
M
M'D
MB
M'
MS
M'S
M
M'
M
M'c
Numbering
21
26
25
26-200
25-700
26-700
27
36
35
26-200
15
16
25-500
26
25
22
16-car NHHikari sets
A 16-car NHHikari set in May 1989
Between 1977 and 1980, 35 new 16-car NH sets were formed of −1000 subseries cars (batches 22 to 29) for Hikari services on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and San'yō Shinkansen lines. The introduction of 100 series and later 300 series trains reduced the number of 0 series trains used on Hikari services, with 0 series Hikari services operated by JR Central ending in 1995. A small fleet was subsequently maintained by JR-West for use on additional holiday period Hikari services, with the last remaining unit, NH32, being disbanded in December 1999.
The NH sets had two Green (first class) cars and a restaurant car in addition to a buffet car, although use of the restaurant cars was discontinued from the mid-1990s.
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Designation
Mc
M'
M
M'
M
M'
MA
M'D
MB
M'
MS
M'S
M
M'
M
M'c
Numbering
21-1000
26-1000
25-1000
26-1200
25-700
26-700
27
36
35-1000
26-1200
15-1000
16-1000
25-500
26-1000
25-1000
22-1000
Interior of Green car 15-1019 of set NH15 in 1982
Interior of standard class car 25-526 of set NH15 in 1982
Interior view of an NH set restaurant car in 1992
16-car YK sets
16-car set YK8 on Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama service with "Arigatō 0 Series" sticker on final day of services, 19 September 1999
The 16-car YK sets were operated by JR Central on the all-stations Kodama services. These sets had upgraded reserved seat cars with 2+2 seating employing 100 series style seats, but only one Green car per 16-car set. Standard seating was 3+2 in standard class, and 2+2 in Green cars.
The fleet was operated by JR Central on the Tokaido Shinkansen until the last units were withdrawn on 18 September 1999. In the last two months of service, they ran with "Arigatō 0 Series" stickers on the front ends.
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Designation
Mc
M'
M
M'
MB
M'
M
M'S
M
M'
M
M'
M
M'
M
M'c
Numbering
21
26
25
26
37
26
25
16
25
26
25
26
25
26
25
22
Interior
Interior of a Green car on a YK set in September 1999
12-car SK sets
Set SK5 on a West Hikari service in March 1997"West" logo on an SK set in March 1997
These 12-car SK sets based at Hakata Depot were operated by JR-West on Sanyo Shinkansen West Hikari services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. Sets were formed of upgraded 5000 and 7000 subseries vehicles with improved seating, and buffet cars were refurbished with a special seating area. All standard class cars had upgraded 2+2 seating. The sets were recognizable externally by the addition of an extra thin blue line below the windows (similar to 100 series) and by the large "West" decals near the doors. Some sets originally included specially converted cinema cars, but these were withdrawn in 1996. Following the end of the West Hikari services on 21 April 2000, the remaining SK units were reformed into new 6-car R60 sets to replace unrefurbished sets on Sanyo Shinkansen Kodama services.
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Designation
Mc
M'
M
M'
MB
M'
M
M'S
M
M'
M
M'c
Numbering
21
26
25
26
37
26
25
16
25
26
25
22
4-car Q sets
Set Q4 at Hakata on a Sanyo Shinkansen Kodama service in July 1998
4-car Q sets were formed from March 1997 for use on Kodama shuttle services running between Hakata and Kokura/Hiroshima, and also for use on some Hakata-Minami Line duties. These sets had no Green car and are not newly built. Instead they are reformed from original sets. Due to them being life-expired quickly, 100 series 4-car P sets replaced them from 2000 onwards. The last remaining unit was withdrawn in September 2001.[6] Set Q3 remained as a static training set at Shin-Shimonoseki Station until 2009, when it was replaced by 100 Series set P2.[7]
Car No.
1
2
3
4
Designation
Mc
M'
M
M'c
Numbering
21
26
25
22
6-car R sets
Set R61 in new JR-West "Kodama" livery at Higashi-Hiroshima Station on a Sanyo Shinkansen Kodama service in July 2003"Children's Saloon" logo in March 1997
The 6-car R units with no Green car were first formed in June 1985, and were used on JR-West Kodama services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. They were also used to operate services on the short Hakata-Minami Line from Hakata Station.
The no. 3 cars of sets R2 and R24 were rebuilt as "Children's Saloons" with the former buffet counter area converted into a children's soft play area. These sets ran branded as "Family Hikari" during holiday periods. From March 1997 a refurbishment programme was commenced on the R sets, with new internal trim, rotating seats and new toilets/washing facilities. The refurbished units were recognisable externally by an extra thin blue line below the windows (as with West Hikari SK sets), and new "W" decals near the doors.
From April 2000, 6-car "WR" sets were created from former SK unit cars and renumbered in the R60 series. These retained the larger buffet area (disused) and 2+2 seating of the former West Hikari trains, and gradually replaced the remaining unrefurbished R sets. These units initially retained their "West Hikari" branding, but were gradually repainted into the new JR-West "Kodama" livery from May 2002. Initially scheduled to be withdrawn in 2006, the last three remaining sets (R61/R67/R68) remained in service until 30 November 2008. By June 2008 they had been repainted into their original ivory and blue livery with silver roofs.
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Designation
Mc
M'
MB
M'
M
M'c
Numbering
21
26
37
26
25
22
Interior
2+2 seating in set R61 in July 2003
Interior of former buffet car 37-7302 in set R62 used as a general lounge area in May 2002
Preserved examples
There are 25 preserved units of the 0 Series Shinkansen. 23 former 0 series vehicles are preserved or stored in museums and various other locations around Japan. The other 2 are outside Japan, the leading vehicle from car 4 of 0 series set Q2 is preserved at the National Railway Museum in York, England. It was donated to the museum by JR-West in 2001 and the leading vehicle from car 4 of 0 series set R1 is preserved at Tainan HSR station in Tainan, Taiwan. It was donated to the museum by JR-West in 2020[8] These are the only 2 Shinkansen's outside of Japan anywhere in the World.
A gift from JR West that was presented to the NRM in 2001. To date, this unit is one of only 2 Shinkansen of any series preserved at a museum outside Japan.
Cab from former set R1. Used as structure gauging car during the construction of the Taiwan High Speed Rail until 2008. On display at Tainan HSR station from June, 2021. To date, this unit is one of only 2 Shinkansen of any series preserved at a museum outside Japan.[15]
^ abcSemmens, Peter (1997). High Speed in Japan: Shinkansen - The World's Busiest High-speed Railway. Sheffield, UK: Platform 5 Publishing. pp. 12, 55. ISBN1-872524-88-5.
^ ab 「リニア・鉄道館」ファーストガイド ["SCMaglev and Railway Park" First Guide]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine. 40 (324). Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun: 20–33. April 2011.
^Sasada, Masahiro (25 November 2014). 国鉄&JR保存車大全2015-2016 [JNR & JR Preserved Rolling Stock Complete Guide 2015-2016] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Ikaros Publications Ltd. p. 124. ISBN978-4863209282.
^0系新幹線電車前頭部を保存します [0 Series Shinkansen Front Section Preserved] (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Tokyu Car. 23 August 2010. Archived from the original(PDF) on 11 October 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
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