N700 series Bullet Train

Data (as of 12 Jan 2024)

History

The N700 series was developed by JR Central and JR West as fast and comfortable high-speed train. 500 series had been running at 300 km/h (187 mph) on Sanyo Shinkansen, but they were uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Tokaido Shinkansen has too many tight curves so that it was not practical to raise the maximum speed (270 km/h, 168 mph) anymore, and raising acceleration was considered as the key to shorten the journey time. The first N700 series unit entered service in 2007, replacing 300 series.

In 2011, JR West and JR Kyushu introduced eight-car units, as Kyushu Shinkansen was extended. In 2013-20, the N700A series trains were introduced, to replace 700 series. A stands for "Advanced" and the N700A series have enhanced braking and bogie control systems, making the train even smoother and safer. N700 series units with no alphabet were later converted to the N700A series.

In 2020, JR Central and West introduced N700S series, which this article does not refer to. Withdrawal of the N700A series commenced in the same year.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

16-car units are used on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen. Most services are served by the N700A series, but some of them have been replaced with N700S series series since 2020. Even so, not all units are going to be withdrawn soon, as not a few units are due to be refurbished by 2024.

8-car units are used for Mizuho (fast) and Sakura (semi-fast) services on Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, as well as some Hikari and Kodama services on Sanyo Shinkansen. They are also used for some Tsubame (stopping) services on Kyushu Shinkansen.

Photo

The eight-car unit for Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen.