E655 series
Encyclopedia
The is an AC
/DC
dual-voltage electric multiple unit
train operated by East Japan Railway Company
(JR East) in Japan. The single 5-car trainset is used as a luxury charter train called , and also as the Imperial train
by inserting a dedicated Imperial carriage.
The Imperial carriage, classified "TR" and numbered E655-1, is inserted between cars 3 and 4 for Imperial Train duties.
Cars 1 to 3 were built by Tokyu Car Corporation
, and the other three cars were built by Hitachi Ltd.
The E655 series unit can be hauled by a diesel locomotive on non-electrified lines, in which case power for air conditioning and lighting is supplied by the diesel generator in car 1.
in Tokyo on 24 July 2007, before undergoing test running on various lines in the Kanto Region
. The first revenue-earning service operated by the train was on 23 November 2007, when it was used for a charter service for JR East's "Otona no Kyujitsu Club" between Ueno and Kōriyama
. On 13 December 2007, JR East announced that the train would be called Nagomi. The first Imperial Train working was on 12 November 2008, when the train was used to convey the Japanese Imperial couple and the Spanish Royal couple between Ueno and Tsuchiura
.
set (December 2008), E653 series
set (April 2009), and E657 series
set (September 2011).
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
/DC
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
dual-voltage electric multiple unit
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
train operated by East Japan Railway Company
East Japan Railway Company
is the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....
(JR East) in Japan. The single 5-car trainset is used as a luxury charter train called , and also as the Imperial train
Royal Train
A royal train is a set of carriages dedicated for the use of the monarch or other members of that particular royal family. Most monarchies with a railway system employ a set of royal carriages.-Australia:...
by inserting a dedicated Imperial carriage.
Formation
The trainset is normally formed as a five-car set, as shown below.- KuRo E655-101 (Tsc') (with diesel generator)
- MoRo E655-101 (M1s) (with 2 pantographs)
- MoRo E654-101 (M2s)
- MoRo E655-201 (M1s) (with 2 pantographs)
- KuMoRo E654-101 (M2sc)
The Imperial carriage, classified "TR" and numbered E655-1, is inserted between cars 3 and 4 for Imperial Train duties.
Cars 1 to 3 were built by Tokyu Car Corporation
Tokyu Car Corporation
is a manufacturer of heavy rail cars in Japan. The company is based in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, Japan, and a member of Tokyu Group. Tokyu Car manufactures rail vehicles not only for Tokyu Corporation but for other Japanese operators, including various Japan Railways Group companies and...
, and the other three cars were built by Hitachi Ltd.
The E655 series unit can be hauled by a diesel locomotive on non-electrified lines, in which case power for air conditioning and lighting is supplied by the diesel generator in car 1.
Interior
Seating in cars 1 to 5 is in 2+1 configuration. The nine seats in car 3 are leather-covered.History
JR East announced in June 2004 its plans to build a new VIP train which would also replace the former locomotive-hauled imperial train. The E655 series trainset was delivered in July 2007, and unveiled to the media at Ueno StationUeno Station
is a major railway station inTokyo's Taitō ward. It is the station used to reach the Ueno district and Ueno Park -- which contains Tokyo National Museum, The National Museum of Western Art, Ueno Zoo, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and other famous cultural facilities...
in Tokyo on 24 July 2007, before undergoing test running on various lines in the Kanto Region
Kanto region
The is a geographical area of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. The region includes the Greater Tokyo Area and encompasses seven prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Within its boundaries, slightly more than 40 percent of the land area is the Kantō Plain....
. The first revenue-earning service operated by the train was on 23 November 2007, when it was used for a charter service for JR East's "Otona no Kyujitsu Club" between Ueno and Kōriyama
Koriyama Station (Fukushima)
is a JR East railway station located in Kōriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.-Lines:* Tōhoku Shinkansen* Tōhoku Main Line* Ban'etsu East Line* Ban'etsu West Line* Suigun Line-History:* July 16, 1887: Service is started between Kōriyama and Kuroiso...
. On 13 December 2007, JR East announced that the train would be called Nagomi. The first Imperial Train working was on 12 November 2008, when the train was used to convey the Japanese Imperial couple and the Spanish Royal couple between Ueno and Tsuchiura
Tsuchiura Station
is an East Japan Railway Company railway station located in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, Japan.-Station layout:The station consists of one side platform and one island platform serving three tracks.-History:* 4 November 1895: Tsuchiura Station opens....
.
"TR" car E655-1
The special "TR" imperial train car can also operate sandwiched within other EMU trainsets, and has been test run in an E257 seriesE257 series
The is a DC electric multiple unit operated by East Japan Railway Company and built jointly by Hitachi, Kinki Sharyo, and Tokyu Car Corporation...
set (December 2008), E653 series
E653 series
The is an AC/DC dual-voltage electric multiple unit operated by East Japan Railway Company in Japan.-Operations:Trains operate on Fresh Hitachi limited express services between in Tokyo and via the Jōban Line as 7-, 7+4-, and 7+7-car formations....
set (April 2009), and E657 series
E657 series
The is an AC/DC dual-voltage electric multiple unit on order by East Japan Railway Company in Japan for use on limited express services between in Tokyo and on the Jōban Line from spring 2012....
set (September 2011).