East Japan Railway Company
November 8, 2005
Aiming to reduce the burden on the environment, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) built a new energy (NE) train test railcar carrying a hybrid system, a new type of motive power system. We have been carrying out tests on this railcar since May 2003 to assess its running performance and energy saving effects.
As favorable results were achieved, JR East will build three hybrid railcars for commercial use, which will become the first hybrid trains to carry paying passengers in the world. We will collect comprehensive data during the first two years of operation and investigate the merits of mass production of such vehicles.
[Characteristics of the new hybrid train]
Kinder to the environment
Increased comfort and usability for passengers
Less maintenance required
1. | Number of cars to be manufactured | 3 (each with a control platform at both ends of the train and two doors on each side) | |
2. | Line on which cars will be used | Koumi Line (Kobuchizawa to Komoro) | |
3. | Cars to be introduced | Scheduled to be brought into service in summer 2007 (Manufacture is scheduled to be completed by the end of fiscal 2006.) | |
4. | Overview of cars Please refer to the separate sheet. |
Figures are comparisons with the series kiha 100
Kinder to the environment | ||||||
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(Results from a questionnaire on Chuo Line (rapid service) passengers used)
Increased comfort and usability for passengers | ||||||||
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Reduced maintenance | ||||||||
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External appearance |
Inside train |
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Hybrid train | |
Koumi Line | |
Capacity | 117 passengers (train with a control platform at each end of the train) |
Maximum speed | 100 km/h |
Height of floor (Height of step) |
1130 mm (970 mm) |
Restroom | Western-style restroom capable of accommodating wheelchair users (with vacuum waste disposal system) |
Train body | Stainless steel |
Other features | LED train destination indicator LED information device inside train |
Conventional system
The transmission, which regulates the driving force, transmits the power of the engine to the wheels, thus driving the train.
Hybrid system
·The motor is used as a generator during braking, which recharges the storage battery.
·The control apparatus drives the motors in the same way as with an electric train, using electric power from the generator and the storage battery.
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Moving off from restImmediately after moving off, the motor is driven using only electric power stored in the battery. |
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AcceleratingThe engine is turned on, and the motor is driven using electric power from both the generator and storage battery. |
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BrakingBraking energy is stored in the battery by using the motor as a generator. |
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