0 series
0 series 6-car set R67 atHigashi-Hiroshima Station in April 2008
In service	1 October 1964 – 14 December 2008 (44 years, 74 days)
Manufacturer	Hitachi,Kawasaki Sharyo,Kinki Sharyo,Kisha Seizo,Nippon Sharyo,Tokyu Car Corporation
Constructed	1963–1986
Refurbished	1990–1998
Scrapped	1977–2008[citation needed]
Number built	3,216 vehicles (201 sets)[clarification needed]
Number preserved	25 vehicles (as of November 2024[update])
Number scrapped	2,989 vehicles
Successor	100 series,[1][2]300 series,500 series,700 series
Formation	4, 6, 12 or 16 cars per trainset
Capacity	368–1,340[3]
Operators	JNR (1964–1987) JR Central (1987–1999) JR West (1987–2008)
Depots	Tokyo, Shin-Osaka, Hakata
Lines served	Tōkaidō Shinkansen (1964-1999) San'yō Shinkansen (1972-2008) Hakata-Minami Line (1990-2008)
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
Car length	25 m (82 ft1⁄4 in) (intermediate cars) 25.15 m (82 ft6+1⁄8 in) (end cars)
Width	3,383 mm (11 ft1+1⁄4 in)
Height	4,490 mm (14 ft8+3⁄4 in)
Doors	2 per side
Maximum speed	210 km/h (130 mph) (1964–1986) 220 km/h (137 mph) (1986–2008)
Traction motors	Brushed DC motor, 185 kW (248 hp) each
Power output	11,840 kW (15,878 hp) (16-car set)[4]
Transmission	Secondary-sidetap changer drive
Acceleration	1.0 km/(h⋅s) (0.62 mph/s) (1964–1992) 1.2 km/(h⋅s) (0.75 mph/s) (1992–2008)
Deceleration	2.84 km/(h⋅s) (1.76 mph/s)
Electric system(s)	25 kV AC, 60 Hz,overhead catenary
Current collection	PS 200pantograph
Safety system(s)	ATC-1
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)standard gauge
Notes/references
This train won the 8thBlue Ribbon Award in 1965.

The0 series (0系,Zero-kei) trains were the first generationShinkansen trainsets built to run on Japan'sTōkaidō Shinkansenhigh-speed line which opened in 1964.^[4] The last remaining trainsets were withdrawn in 2008 after 44 years of service.

The 0 series trains (which were not originally classified, as there was no need to distinguish classes of trainset until later^[4]) entered service with the start ofTōkaidō 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 frontpilot.

Unlike previous Japanese trains on the national network, the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and all subsequent Shinkansen lines are1,435 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 and even four cars were assembled for lesser duties. 0 Series production continued from 1963 until 1986.

Shinkansen sets are generally retired after fifteen to twenty years. The final 0 Series sets were six-car trains used on JR-WestKodama services on theSan'yō Shinkansen betweenShin-Ōsaka andHakata, and on theHakata-Minami Line until final retirement on 30 November 2008.

Following withdrawal from regular service, JR-West ran a number of special commemorativeHikari runs in December 2008.^[5]Hikari 347, powered by set R61,^[6] arrived at Hakata Station at 6:01 pm on 14 December 2008, end their service after 44 years.

The initial shinkansen fleet delivered for use onHikari andKodama services on theTōkaidō 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 byHitachi 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 byNippon Sharyo between March and September 1964; six sets, R1 to R6, were built byKawasaki Sharyo between July and September 1964; and six sets, S1 to S6, were built byKinki Sharyo between April and August 1964.^[7] These sets were allocated to Tokyo and Osaka depots.^[8]

A further ten 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.^[8]

The original 12-car sets were formed as follows, with two first-class cars (type 15 and 16) and two buffet cars (type 35):^[8]

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 onKodama services. The "T" sets were built byTokyu Car Corporation.^[8]

These sets were formed as follows:^[8]

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 forHikari services to handle the increased number of passengers travelling to and fromExpo '70 in Osaka in 1970. From the opening of theSan'yō Shinkansen in 1972, these sets were renumbered H1 to H30:^[8]

During 1972 and 1973, the earlier 12-carKodama sets were lengthened to 16 cars with the inclusion of new 13th- and 15th-batch cars, and were renumbered K1 to K47:^[8]

With the opening of the Sanyo Shinkansen extension to Hakata, the fleet of 16-car HHikari sets was reformed and increased during 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:^[8]

Between 1977 and 1980, 35 new 16-car N_H sets were formed of −1000 subseries cars (batches 22 to 29) forHikari services on theTōkaidō Shinkansen andSan'yō Shinkansen lines. The introduction of100 series and later300 series trains reduced the number of 0 series trains used onHikari services, with 0 seriesHikari services operated byJR Central ending in 1995. A small fleet was subsequently maintained byJR-West for use on additional holiday periodHikari services, with the last remaining unit, N_H32, being disbanded in December 1999.

The N_H 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.

• 
  Interior of Green car 15-1019 of set N_H15 in 1982
• 
  Interior of standard class car 25-526 of set N_H15 in 1982
• 
  Interior view of an NH set restaurant car in 1992

The 16-car Y_K sets were operated by JR Central on the all-stationsKodama 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.

• 
  Interior of a Green car on a YK set in September 1999

These 12-car S_K sets based at Hakata Depot were operated by JR-West on Sanyo ShinkansenWest 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 recognisable 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 theWest Hikari services on 21 April 2000, the remaining S_K units were reformed into new 6-car R60 sets to replace unrefurbished sets on Sanyo ShinkansenKodama services.

4-car Q sets were formed from March 1997 for use onKodama shuttle services running between Hakata andKokura/Hiroshima, and on theHakata-Minami Line. These sets had no Green car and are not newly built; instead, they are reformed from original sets. These sets were quickly reaching the end of useful lives, so the 100 series 4-car P sets replaced them from 2000 onwards. The last remaining unit was withdrawn in September 2001.^[8] Set Q3 remained as a static training set atShin-Shimonoseki Station until 2009, when it was replaced by100 Series set P2.^[9]

The 6-car R units with no Green car were first formed in June 1985 and were used on JR-WestKodama services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. They were also used to operateKodama shuttle services on the shortHakata-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 withWest Hikari S_K sets) and new "W" decals near the doors.

From April 2000, 6-car "WR" sets were created from former S_K unit cars and renumbered in the R60 series. These retained the larger buffet area (disused) and 2+2 seating of the formerWest 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.

Since the R sets were only six cars long, there were cases where the emergency coupler in the leading car was used in commercial operation. Set R51 (first generation) of the "West Hikari" was not converted to 12 cars, but was instead left as a six-car train, and was only operated once a day. During peak times, in order to increase capacity, the leading car 22-3901 (16-133 converted to a leading car) on the Tokyo side was coupled to set R23 on the Hakata side, which had a strengthened coupler (the leading car 21-7001 on the Hakata side of set R51 was also modified in the same way). When operated as a 12-car train, set R23 had unreserved seats and set R51 had reserved seats. The organization chart in the large timetables of the time indicated that “6-car Kodama-type trains may be coupled on some days."

• 
  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

Owing to its extensive usage and long service life, 25 vehicles have been preserved:

• 23 former vehicles are preserved or stored in museums and various other locations around Japan.
• The leading vehicle from car 4 of set Q2 is preserved at theNational Railway Museum, inYork, England. It was donated to the museum byJR-West in 2001,^[10] and is the first Shinkansen unit (of any series) to be preserved at a museum outside Japan.
• The leading vehicle from car 4 of set R1 is preserved atTainan HSR station inTainan, Taiwan. It was formerly used as astructure gauging car from 2004, during construction of theTaiwan High Speed Rail, and was formally donated to Taiwan in 2012. Restoration work was completed from 2018 to 2019, before the car was put on display on 22 December 2023.^[11]

• List of high-speed trains

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