Shinkansen Series E7/W7
This is probably a trainset I will have to write about a little more later on (or not). She's the newest member of the Japanese high speed train family. Mechanically, this new trainset is based on the current mountainous Nagano Shinkansen flagship, the Series E2. Not built for top speed, the Series E7 or W7 electric multiple unit (EMU), depends on whether owned by the East or West Japan Railway Company, is designed to replaced the E2 for the newest extension of the Japanese high speed rail network of the current Nagano Shinkansen, called the Hokuriku Shinkansen for the Hokuriku region. Upon the completion of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the railroad companies of Japan will have almost completed a ring route in the center of the Honshu Island.
It is also interesting that this is the first time the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) uses a classification scheme beginning with the letter W rather than a 3-digit number beginning with an odd number (i.e. traditionally, the Series 100, 300, 500, 700, N700, and N700a, with the exception of the grandfather high speed train the Series 0). The JR East, on the other hand, began using a new classification scheme after the Series 400 beginning with the letter E (traditionally, the JR East had Series 200 and 400) and the E7 is the 7th train with such a classification).
Anyway, back to the train herself. Without a very high top speed in service, the E7/W7 does not have to be designed with an exaggerated-looking aerodynamic nose to reduce noise and pressure shock when entering/exiting tight tunnels along the line. The E7/W7 features a quite attractive exterior really with quite an exquisite looking designer color scheme (at this rate I don't think I'll need another post, I'm kind of just going on and on and on about this thing and feeling shallow about it).
The E7/W7 is a 12-car high speed EMU having a traditionally Japanese consist of 10M2T (10 powered and 2 non-powered or trailing cars) with non-powered cab cars. Not so sure on total power output right now, but she is probably in the 16 000 hp range. The E7/W7 is designed to have a top speed of 160 mph (really, 260 metric whatchamacallit per hour).
It is also interesting that this is the first time the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) uses a classification scheme beginning with the letter W rather than a 3-digit number beginning with an odd number (i.e. traditionally, the Series 100, 300, 500, 700, N700, and N700a, with the exception of the grandfather high speed train the Series 0). The JR East, on the other hand, began using a new classification scheme after the Series 400 beginning with the letter E (traditionally, the JR East had Series 200 and 400) and the E7 is the 7th train with such a classification).
Anyway, back to the train herself. Without a very high top speed in service, the E7/W7 does not have to be designed with an exaggerated-looking aerodynamic nose to reduce noise and pressure shock when entering/exiting tight tunnels along the line. The E7/W7 features a quite attractive exterior really with quite an exquisite looking designer color scheme (at this rate I don't think I'll need another post, I'm kind of just going on and on and on about this thing and feeling shallow about it).
The E7/W7 is a 12-car high speed EMU having a traditionally Japanese consist of 10M2T (10 powered and 2 non-powered or trailing cars) with non-powered cab cars. Not so sure on total power output right now, but she is probably in the 16 000 hp range. The E7/W7 is designed to have a top speed of 160 mph (really, 260 metric whatchamacallit per hour).
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