| E001 series Train Suite Shiki-shima | |
|---|---|
 The E001 series train on the Nikko Line in diesel mode in June 2017 | |
| Stock type | Electric multiple unit/Diesel multiple unit |
| In service | 2017–present |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki Heavy Industries/J-TREC |
| Built at | Kobe/Yokohama |
| Constructed | 2016 |
| Entered service | 1 May 2017 |
| Number built | 1 set (10 vehicles) |
| Number in service | 1 set (10 vehicles) |
| Formation | 10 cars per trainset |
| Operators | JR East |
| Depots | Oku |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel/aluminium |
| Car length | 20,800 mm (68 ft 3 in) |
| Width | 2,900 mm (9 ft 6 in) |
| Height | 4,070 mm (13 ft 4 in) |
| Maximum speed | 110 km/h (68 mph) |
| Traction system | VVVF (IGBT) |
| Acceleration | 1.5 km/(h⋅s) (0.93 mph/s) |
| Deceleration | 3.6 km/(h⋅s) (2.2 mph/s) |
| Current collection | PS37C pantographs |
| Safety system(s) |
|
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
TheE001 series (E001形), brandedTrain Suite Shiki-shima (TRAIN SUITE 四季島,Toran Suīto Shikishima;pronounced[toɾaɰ̃sɯiꜜːtoɕi̥kiɕima],French pronunciation:[tʁɛ̃sɥit]) is a hybrid electric/diesel deluxe sleeping-carexcursion train operated by theEast Japan Railway Company (JR East) since 1 May 2017.[1] The Train Suite Shiki-shima is one of the world's most exclusive and expensive trains.[2]
The train uses an electric/diesel hybrid propulsion system, enabling the train to operate as an electric multiple unit under overhead electric wires or use two diesel generators in the end cars to power the train's traction motors on non-electrified routes.[3]
Cars 1 to 4 and 8 to 10 were built byKawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe, while the three bilevel cars 5 to 7 were built byJ-TREC in Yokohama.[4] The Kawasaki-built cars have aluminium bodies, while the three J-TREC-built cars have stainless steel bodies.[5]
The train styling and interior decoration of the train was overseen by industrial designerKen Okuyama, and is advertised as using only the best quality materials and exemplifying traditional Japanese craftsmanship.[6][7] Its overall design is reminiscent of the251 series, also used by JR East.
The ten-coach train consists of sixsleeping cars, alounge car, adining car, andobservation cars at either end of the train.[6] Five of the sleeping cars each have three private suite rooms, while one car (car 7) has two deluxe suites - a split-level "maisonette" type and a single-level "flat" type.[6] The train formation is as shown below, formed of six motored ("M") cars and four non-powered trailer ("T") cars, and car 1 at the southern end.[4] All suites have a shower and toilet. The two deluxe suites also each have a bathtub.[8] One suite in car 4 isuniversal access.[4] The entire train accommodates only 34 passengers.[7]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | M | T | M | |||||||
| Numbering | E001-1 | E001-2 | E001-3 | E001-4 | E001-5 | E001-6 | E001-7 | E001-8 | E001-9 | E001-10 |
| Car type | Observation car | Sleeping car | Lounge | Dining car | Sleeping car | Observation car | ||||
| Weight (t) | 64.1 | 55.4 | 51.3 | 49.5 | 44.6 | 50.1 | 50.5 | 51.8 | 55.4 | 63.9 |
| Capacity | 6 | 18 | 4 | 6 | ||||||
| Facilities | Diesel generator | 3 suites | Smoking Room[9] | 2 deluxe suites | 3 suites | Diesel generator | ||||
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki HI | J-TREC | Kawasaki HI | |||||||
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The train operates on two-day and four-day circular tours from spring to autumn, and on three-day tours during the winter period.[10] Tickets cost between¥440,000 (US$2,907) and¥1,950,000 (US$12,884).[7] The Train Suite Shiki-shima operates itineraries that are crafted based on the season of travel to ensure guests experience the best of each location visited.[11]
JR East first announced its plans to build a new luxury cruising train in June 2013, designed by Ken Okuyama, and provisionally scheduled to enter service some time after spring 2016.[3] A year later, in June 2014, JR East published more detailed plans for the new train, with a revised exterior design and service entry date scheduled for spring 2017.[6] The train's name and logo design were officially announced in October 2014.[12] Details of the planned itineraries were published in December 2015.[10]
The first seven cars (1 to 4 and 8 to 10) of the ten-car trainset were delivered from theKawasaki Heavy Industries factory inKobe in September 2016.[13] Main line test running commenced on 14 September 2016 on theJoban Line as a seven-car formation.[14] Cars 5 to 7 were delivered from theJ-TREC factory in Yokohama on 27 September 2016.[15]
The service was launched formally on 1 May 2017. It attracted great interest, with tickets for the inaugural journey made available via a lottery that was reported to have been oversubscribed by a factor of 76. By the time of the launch, tickets were sold out until March 2018.[7]
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