The E993 series (E993系) "AC Train" was an experimental 5-car electric multiple unit (EMU) train operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan between 2002 and 2006.[1][2]
Concept
The E993 series "AC Train" ("Advanced Commuter Train") was developed by JR East to test and evaluate a number of new technologies and features for possible use in future commuter train designs.[1] These included features intended to reduce life-cycle costs, improve the interior passenger environment, improve accessibility, and increase environmental friendliness.[2]
Technological features
The train incorporated the following features for evaluation.[2]
- Articulated cars with shared bogies
- Direct drive motors (DDM)
- Double-skin body construction
- Externally slung sliding doors
- Advanced Train Information Management System (AIMS)
Formation
The 5-car articulated set was based at Kawagoe Depot on the Kawagoe Line and formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Kawagoe end, and car 5 at the Shinjuku end.[3] Cars 1 and 2 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe, and cars 3 to 5 were built by Tokyu Car Corporation in Yokohama.[2]
Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Designation | Tc' | M' | M | T | Tc |
Numbering | KuHa E992-1 | MoHa E992-1 | MoHa E993-1 | SaHa E993-1 | KuHa E993-1 |
Cars 2 and 4 were each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[3]
Cars 1 and 2 had double-skin aluminium bodies, cars 3 to 5 had stainless steel bodies with double-skin construction used for cars 3 and 5.[2]
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KuHa E992-1
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MoHa E992-1
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MoHa E993-1
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SaHa E993-1
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KuHa E993-1
History
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The train was delivered to JR East's Kawagoe Depot on 17 January 2002.[2] Test running commenced on the Kawagoe Line and Saikyo Line the following month.[2]
The train was officially withdrawn on 14 July 2006.[4] No cars are preserved.
Features tested on the E993 series, including articulated cars and direct drive motors, were subsequently incorporated in the E331 series prototype train delivered in 2006.
References
- ^ a b JR全車輌ハンドブック2005 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2005]. Japan: Neko Publishing. August 2005. p. 374. ISBN 978-4-7770-0382-2.
- ^ a b c d e f g プロトタイプの世界 - Prototype World. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbunsha. December 2005. pp. 76–79.
- ^ a b JR電車編成表 '05冬号 [JR EMU Formations - Winter 2005]. Japan: JRR. January 2005. p. 66. ISBN 978-4-88283-042-9.
- ^ "JRグループ車両のデータバンク2006/2007" [JR Group Databank 2006/2007]. Japan Railfan Magazine. 47 (555): 37. July 2007.
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