E1 Series Shinkansen
| E1 series | |
|---|---|
E1 series train set M5 in September 2012 | |
| In service | 15 July 1994 – 28 September 2012 (18 years, 75 days) |
| Manufacturers | |
| Family name | Max |
| Constructed | 1994–1995 |
| Refurbished | 2003–2006 |
| Scrapped | 2012 |
| Number built | 72 vehicles (6 sets) |
| Number in service | None |
| Number preserved | 1 vehicle |
| Number scrapped | 71 vehicles |
| Formation | 12 cars per trainset |
| Fleet numbers | M1–M6 |
| Capacity | 1,235 |
| Operator | JR East |
| Depots | Sendai, Niigata |
| Lines served | Tōhoku, Jōetsu |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Steel |
| Car length |
|
| Width | 3.43 m (11 ft 3 in) |
| Height | 4.493 m (14 ft 9 in) |
| Doors | Two per side |
| Maximum speed | 240 km/h (150 mph) |
| Traction motors | 24 × 410 kW (550 hp) MT204 AC |
| Power output | 9,840 kW (13,200 hp) |
| Acceleration | 1.6 km/(h⋅s) (0.99 mph/s) |
| Electric system | Overhead line, 25 kV 50 Hz AC |
| Current collection | PS201 pantograph |
| Bogies |
|
| Safety systems | ATC-2, DS-ATC |
| Multiple working | None |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The E1 series (Japanese: E1系) was a Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan from July 1994 until September 2012. It was the first double-deck train type built for the Shinkansen network and, together with the later E4 series, was marketed under the name Max (an acronym for Multi-Amenity eXpress). A total of six 12-car trainsets were built by Hitachi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries between 1994 and 1995. All were refurbished between 2003 and 2006, and the type was withdrawn from regular service on 28 September 2012.
Originally planned to be classified as 600 series, the E1 series was introduced to relieve overcrowding on services on the Tōhoku and Jōetsu Shinkansen lines. The double-deck design was adopted to increase seating capacity for peak commuter demand. Seating capacity was further increased by using 3+3 seating, giving a total capacity of 1,235 passengers per trainset. The trainsets had a maximum operating speed of 240 kilometres per hour (150 mph).
The E1 series had steel carbodies, reflecting structural requirements associated with its double-deck design, whereas later Shinkansen types increasingly adopted lightweight aluminium alloy construction. Double-deck trainsets subsequently fell out of use as lighter single-deck designs supported higher operating speeds—up to 320 kilometres per hour (200 mph) on newer types—shortening travel times and allowing increased service frequency.