WIN350
Japanese experimental high-speed train type
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"WIN350" was the name given to the 500-900 series (500系900番台) 6-car experimental high-speed Shinkansen train developed in 1992 by the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Japan to test technology to be incorporated in next-generation shinkansen trains expected to operate at speeds of 350 km/h (217 mph) from 1994.[2] Initially given the designation "500X", the name "WIN350" stood for "West Japan's Innovation for operation at 350 km/h".[3]
| 500-900 series "WIN350" | |
|---|---|
.jpg) End car 500-906 preserved at Hakata Shinkansen Depot, October 2011 | |
| In service | 1992–1995 |
| Manufacturers | Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| Constructed | 1992 |
| Scrapped | 1996 |
| Number built | 6 vehicles |
| Number in service | None |
| Number preserved | 1 vehicle |
| Number scrapped | 5 vehicles |
| Formation | 6 cars |
| Fleet numbers | W0 |
| Operator | JR West |
| Depot | Hakata |
| Line served | Sanyo Shinkansen |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium alloy, Honeycomb structure |
| Car length | 26.55 m (87 ft 1 in) (end cars) 25 m (82 ft 0 in) (intermediate cars)[1] |
| Width | 3,380 mm (11 ft 1 in) |
| Maximum speed | 350 km/h (217 mph)(nominal)[1] |
| Traction system | 300 kW (402 hp) 3-phase motors |
| Power output | 7,200 kW (9,655 hp) |
| Electric system | 25 kV AC 60 Hz |
| Current collection | Pantograph |
| Safety system | ATC |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Design
Cars 500-901 to 500-903 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Hyogo Prefecture. Cars 500-904 to 500-906 were built by Hitachi in Yamaguchi Prefecture.[4]
The front-end designs of the two driving vehicles (500-901 and 500-906) were slightly different, with 500-906 featuring a "cockpit" style arrangement.[3] The external livery was purple and light grey, with darker purple lining.
All axles were motored, using 300 kW three-phase motors, and cars were equipped with tilting and active suspension.[3]
Internally, only car 4 was fitted with passenger seats, with 10 rows of 3+2 standard-class seating and 5 rows of 2+2 Green class (first class) seating.[5]
Formation
History
The WIN350 train was delivered to Hakata Shinkansen Depot in April 1992.[4]
On 6 August 1992, the train recorded a Japanese national speed record of 345.8 km/h (214.9 mph) on the San'yō Shinkansen.[3] Two days later, on 8 August 1992, the train recorded a Japanese national speed record of 350.4 km/h (217.7 mph) on the San'yō Shinkansen between Ogōri (now Shin-Yamaguchi) and Shin-Shimonoseki.[2]
The WIN350 trainset was withdrawn on 31 May 1996, and a special farewell ceremony was held at Hakata Shinkansen Depot.[2][3]
Preservation
.jpg)
End car 500-901 is preserved outdoors at the RTRI large-scale wind tunnel test facility in Maibara, Shiga. Initially expected to be moved to the Modern Transportation Museum in Osaka,[3] end car 500-906 was stored at Hakata Shinkansen Depot[7] until being scrapped in May 2024.
