E3 Series Shinkansen

The E3 series (E3系) is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built for Komachi services which commenced on 3 June 1997, coinciding with the opening of the new Akita Shinkansen "mini-shinkansen" line, a regular 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow-gauge line between Morioka and Akita re-gauged to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge. Later versions of the E3 series were also introduced for use on Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa services. Both "mini-shinkansen" lines join the Tohoku Shinkansen, providing services to and from Tokyo.

E3 series
Reliveried E3-1000 series set L53 on a Tsubasa service, June 2022
In service	22 March 1997; 28 years ago (1997-03-22) – present
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Tokyu Car Corporation
Family name	Mini-shinkansen
Replaced	400 series
Constructed	1995–2009
Scrapped	2013–
Number built	261 vehicles (41 sets)
Number in service	84 vehicles (12 sets) (as of March 2024[update])
Number scrapped	163 vehicles
Successor	E6 series, E8 series
Formation	7 cars per trainset 6 cars per trainset (until 2022) 5 cars per trainset (Akita Shinkansen only, until 1998)
Fleet numbers	R1–R26, L51–L55, L61–L72
Capacity	6-car R sets: 338 (23 Green + 315 Standard) 7-car L50 sets (E3-1000): 402 (23 Green + 379 Standard) 7-car L60 sets (E3-2000): 394 (23 Green + 371 Standard)
Operators	JR East
Depots	Akita, Yamagata
Lines served	Tohoku Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminium
Car length	20.05 to 23.07 m (65 ft 9 in to 75 ft 8 in)
Width	2,945 mm (9 ft 8 in)
Height	4,080 mm (13 ft 5 in) (roof height) 4,280 mm (14 ft 1 in) (pantograph cover height)
Floor height	1,300 mm (4 ft 3 in)
Doors	1 per side
Maximum speed	Tohoku Shinkansen: 275 km/h (171 mph) Yamagata Shinkansen: 130 km/h (81 mph) Design speed: 315 km/h (196 mph)
Traction system	GTO or IGBT-VVVF (6-car sets: 16 x 300 kW, 7-car sets: 20 x 300 kW)
Power output	6-car sets: 4.8 MW (6,437 hp) 7-car sets: 6 MW (8,046 hp)
Gear ratio	28:85 (3.04)
Acceleration	Tohoku Shinkansen: 1.6 km/(h⋅s) (0.99 mph/s) Yamagata Shinkansen: 2 km/(h⋅s) (1.2 mph/s)
Deceleration	5.2 km/(h⋅s) (3.2 mph/s)
Electric system(s)	20/25 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead catenary
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
Bogies	DT207 (1st generation motor car) DT207A (2nd to 4th generation motor car) DT207B (5th to 7th generation, 2000 series motor car) TR7005 (1st generation trailer car) TR7005A (2nd to 4th generation, 2000 series trailer car) TR7005B (5th to 7th generation trailer car)
Braking system(s)	Regenerative brake combined with electrically controlled air brake and retarder brake (conventional line section)
Safety system(s)	ATC-2, DS-ATC, ATS-P
Multiple working	200 series, E2 series, E4 series, E5 series
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Design

This shinkansen design was originally the Akita Shinkansen E3 series trains was overseen by industrial designer Kenji Ekuan.^[1] Like the 400 Series Shinkansen, these trains are built to a smaller loading gauge than mainline Shinkansen trains—the width and length of each car is reduced to fit on the narrower clearances of the "mini-shinkansen". Doorway steps fold out to bridge the gap between the narrow body and the platform at regular shinkansen stations.

• 
  An extended doorway step on an E3 series Komachi set

Before the S8 set was converted to the R1 set, the bogies were bolsterless DT207 (motor car) and TR7005 (trailer car), and the basic structure was the same as that of the 400 series.^[2] The wheel diameter was 860 mm, the wheelbase was 2,250 mm, and the axle box support was a support plate type.^[2][3] From the mass-produced cars 2nd generation and onwards, the suffixes are DT207A (motor bogie) and TR7005A (trailer bogie).^[4][5] However, the motor bogies of the 0 (R sets) and 1000 series 5th to 7th series and the 2000 series are DT207B, and the trailer bogies of the 0 and 1000 series 5th to 7th series are TR7005B.^[6][7] The gear ratio is 3.04.^[8]

Variants

• E3 series "R" sets: 26 x 6-car (R1-16 5-cars at first) sets used on Akita Shinkansen Komachi services from 3 June 1997 following the opening of the Akita Shinkansen. Retired on 14 March 2014 following the Akita Shinkansen timetable revision and last runs.
• E3-1000 series "LR" sets: 3 x 7-car sets used on Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa services since 4 December 1999 following the extension to Shinjo. 2 sets (L51 and 52) retired in 2014 following the E3 Tsubasa relivering, while 2 new sets (L54 and 55, converted from E3-0 series sets (R23 to 26) added to replace them.
• E3-2000 series "LR" sets: 12 x 7-car sets used on Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa services since 20 December 2008. All sets reliveried from 2014-2016.
• E3-700 series Toreiyu: 6-car excursion trainset used on Yamagata Shinkansen from July 2014 to March 2022.
• E3-700 series Genbi Shinkansen: 6-car excursion trainset used on Joetsu Shinkansen from 29 April 2016 to December 2020.^[9]

Pre-series set

A pre-series 5-car set, numbered S8, was delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries to Sendai Depot in March 1995 for extensive testing. It was modified to full-production specifications in March 1997 ahead of the start of Akita Shinkansen services.^[10]

Until it was augmented to six cars in 1998, the pre-series was formed as follows, with scissors-type pantographs on cars 12, 13, and 14.^[10] Set R1 was withdrawn following its final revenue run on 20 July 2013.^[11]

Set R1 (set S8 before conversion) (first generation)

• The front shape of the leading car differs from that of mass-produced cars, being closer to that of the 400 series.^{[Note 1]}
• There are headlights and rear marker lights above the cab window, and two auxiliary lights (high intensity discharge lamps) under the cab window. The auxiliary lights (HID lights) were adopted on a trial basis after drivers of the previous 400 series pointed out the need for improved illumination on conventional lines.^[12]
• At the time of completion, the cars were equipped with three cross-pantographs, with the E326-1 and E325-1 equipped with the PS9034 type for the Shinkansen section and the E329-1 equipped with the PS204X type for conventional lines. These were replaced with single-arm pantographs during the mass production conversion.
• On June 24, 1995, a prototype pantograph was installed on the E326-1 and test runs were conducted.^[13] At a Shinkansen event held in Sendai on July 23 of the same year, the E325-1's pantograph had been replaced with a PS206 single-arm pantograph.^[14]
• The pantograph covers of the E326-1 and E325-1 are equipped with air cylinders that move up and down.^[15] When running on conventional lines, the covers are lowered to avoid violating the vehicle clearance, and when running on Shinkansen lines, the covers are raised 200 mm.^[15] The E329-1 has a fixed cover because it is a pantograph for conventional lines.^[15]
• The toilets in the men's restrooms are installed at an angle.
• The logo at the time of completion was "Series E3" (later changed to the same logo as the production car).
• The size of the electrostatic antenna on car 11 (E311-1) is different from that of mass-produced cars.
• At the time of completion, the sections manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries were planned to be transported to Zushi as a special train and then delivered together with the sections manufactured by Tokyu Car Corporation. However, due to the effects of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, the sections manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries were delayed, so only the sections manufactured by Tokyu Car Corporation were delivered first.
• Prior to being converted for mass production, it underwent test runs on the Yamagata Shinkansen.^[16]
• With the introduction of the E6 series, this set ceased commercial operation on July 20, 2013^[17] and was scrapped.

Car No.	11	12	13	14	15
Designation	M1sc	M2	T	M1	M2c
Numbering	E311-1	E326-1	E329-1	E325-1	E322-1

• 
  Pre-series set R1 in service, March 2013

E3 series "R" sets

Set R18 coupled to an E5 series set on a Hayate/Komachi service in June 2013

Set R22 in May 2017 (with its "Komachi" logos removed) coupled to a E5/H5 Shinkansen

The full-production trainsets built from 1996 for the Akita Shinkansen were 5-car sets, but sixth cars were added by the end of 1998. A total of 26 Akita Shinkansen sets were in service by the end of 2005. Sets R1 to R16 were leased by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) from the owning company, Akita Shinkansen Sharyō Hoyū (秋田新幹線車両保有(株)), a third-sector company jointly owned by JR East and Akita Prefecture.^[18] This lease ended on 21 March 2010 with the dissolution of Akita Shinkansen Sharyō Hoyū.^[19]

The E3 series sets were phased out following the introduction of new E6 series sets from March 2013, with 19 sets (114 vehicles) scheduled to be withdrawn during fiscal 2013.^[20] From the start of the 15 March 2014 timetable revision, E3 series trainsets were no longer used on Akita Shinkansen Komachi services.^[21] Two sets (R21 and R22) were used on Yamabiko and Nasuno services coupled to the E5/H5 series in their original "Komachi" colors before being retired on 31 October 2020. This is believed to have happened due to the decrease in passengers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.^[21][22]

Sets R2 - R16 (2nd generation)

These mass-produced sets were completed before the opening of the line in March 1997. They were originally five-car sets, but were converted to a six-car set by coupling the E328 series (third generation) between October and December of the following year.^[23] Therefore, at the coupling between the E329 and E328 series (cars 13 and 14), there is a "gauge cover" (the name was changed from pantograph cover on mass-produced cars^[24]) without a pantograph (the same applies to set R1, as shown in the second picture above).

• The nose shape of the lead cars was changed to counter tunnel micro-pressure waves and reduce noise (as mentioned above).^[24]
• The headlights and rear marker lights were grouped together under the cab window.^[24] High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps were used on a trial basis on pre-production cars, but were adopted for production cars.^[24]
• The interior of the passenger compartment were almost identical to that of the pre-production car,^[24] except that the production car has Akita Kanto design woven into the side window curtains.^[24]
• The trash bins installed on each car were for three types of garbage: bottles and cans, newspapers and magazines, and general garbage.^[24][25] Because the Akita Shinkansen trains run for long periods of time, a trash compressor is installed to compress the general garbage every 15 minutes to prevent it from overflowing.^[24][25]
• The pre-production Green Car cars were equipped with spot air conditioning (individual air conditioning) above the seats, but this was omitted in the production cars.^[24]
• The cab had undergone significant changes to its equipment layout (see above).^[24]
• The pantograph used a newly developed low-noise type PS206 single-arm pantograph.^[24] Because the pantograph itself was able to be made quieter, the up-and-down movable pantograph cover of the pre-production model was eliminated, and a new sloped "insulator cover" was installed to protect the insulators and cable heads from air currents.^[24]
• The second batch of cars was completed before the Akita Shinkansen opened, so after completion JR East conducted test runs on the Yamagata Shinkansen.^[26]
• The E328 (T2) trailer car, which was added in 1998, is similar to the conventional E329 (T1) trailer car, but in order to compensate for the loss of axle weight caused by not having an auxiliary power unit, the floor plate was changed from aluminum honeycomb material to steel plate and additional deadweight was added.^[27]

Set R17 (3rd generation)

Additional set completed in 1998. It was added to increase transportation capacity following the timetable revision at the end of the same year. Sets completed after this have always been six-car formations.

• The insulator cover that was located at the coupling between the E329 and E328 series (cars 13 and 14) was omitted, and the number of insulator covers was changed to two.^[28]
• There are two wipers at the front of the driver's cab, including an auxiliary wiper.^[28]
• Up until this set, the VVVF inverter control device had been a GTO thyristor, and this was the only one among the sets from R17 onwards that had the above changes.
• During the summer holiday season in 2008, as part of a collaboration project with All Nippon Airways (ANA), the set was wrapped in a "Pokémon Pika-Rori Summer" design along with the set R21.^[29]

Sets R18 - R23 (5th generation)

• These additional sets were added between 2002 and 2003 to increase transportation capacity and replace the later-manufactured 200 series Shinkansen that had not been updated.^{[Note 2]}
• The main differences from set R17 are listed below. In terms of specifications, the fourth generation (1000 series L51 and L52 sets) for the Yamagata Shinkansen was manufactured between the third and fifth generation, and the improvements made to the fourth generation (1000 series L51 and L52 sets) are also reflected.^[30]
• The dynamic dampers used in the trailer cars of the fourth series were abolished and replaced with underfloor deadweights and vibration-damping materials on the roof to improve ride comfort.^[30]
• The material of the connecting outer hood had been changed from polyurethane to synthetic rubber.
• Standard cars were also equipped with footrests in front of the seats.^{[6][Note 3]}
• The seat design had been changed to one with a sliding seat function.^{[30][Note 4]}
• The main converter element was changed from GTO thyristor to IGBT, as in the E2 series 1000 series.^[6]
• From their manufacture, the sets were equipped with DS-ATC and digital train radio.^[6]
• Cars 11 and 16 were equipped with full active suspension, while cars 12 through 15 were equipped with semi-active suspension.
• Grips were provided on the seat shoulders.^{[Note 5]}
• A door chime was added.
• The toilet in car 11 had been changed to a heated toilet seat.
• The specifications of the men's restroom had been changed. (Only for sets R18-R23^{[Note 6]})

R24 - R26 train (6th generation)

These additional sets were completed in 2005 (Heisei 17) to increase transportation capacity and replace the 200 series H formations (the 12-car H4 and H5 formations) that had been reserved for peak passenger season special trains (along with the E2 series 1000 series J66-J68 formations and the 1000 series L53 formation for the Yamagata Shinkansen (described below) which were added at the same time).^[31]

• Some materials used had been changed to improve fire prevention measures.^[32]
• The support posts for the luggage racks located between every three seats were omitted.^[6]
• Baby cribs had been installed in public toilets.^[6]
• Braille stickers and tactile maps for the visually impaired were provided in cars and in the toilets.^[6]
• To accommodate VIP guests, preparations are being made for installing a police radio antenna on the roof of the E311-type locomotive.^[6]

Formation

Car No.	11	12	13	14	15	16
Designation	M1sc	M2	T1	T2	M1	M2c
Numbering	E311	E326	E329	E328	E325	E322
Seating capacity	23	67	60	68	64	56

Cars 12 and 15 were equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.^[18]

Fleet history

Set R20 being hauled through Omiya Station on delivery in March 2003

Set R24 being delivered in March 2005

Set R25 being hauled by JNR Class EF65 through Nishi-Kokubunji Station on delivery in June 2005

The build details are as shown below.^[33] As of 25 November 2021^[update], the last of the original 26 sets (R22) was scrapped.^[34]

Set No.	Date delivered	Car 14 build date	Date withdrawn	Remarks
R1	28 March 1995	29 October 1998	26 August 2013	Pre-series set S8 (originally 5 cars with 3 pantographs)
R2	9 October 1996	1 November 1998	13 December 2013[35]	Built as 5-car sets
R3	14 October 1996	4 November 1998	17 February 2014[35]
R4	22 October 1996	6 November 1998	9 January 2014[35]
R5	28 October 1996	9 November 1998	26 April 2013
R6	6 November 1996	12 November 1998	12 April 2013
R7	11 November 1996	22 November 1998	17 May 2013
R8	15 November 1996	24 November 1998	24 May 2013
R9	22 November 1996	26 November 1998	7 June 2013
R10	2 December 1996	28 November 1998	27 August 2013
R11	12 December 1996	30 October 1998	13 September 2013
R12	21 December 1996	17 November 1998	27 November 2013[35]
R13	20 January 1997	5 December 1998	19 October 2013[35]
R14	30 January 1997	14 November 1998	1 December 2013[35]
R15	7 February 1997	16 November 1998	28 January 2014[35]
R16	17 February 1997	19 November 1998	8 March 2014[35]
R17	30 September 1998	n/a (6-car sets from new)	26 July 2013
R18	23 October 2002		6 March 2022	Converted 2014 to E3-700 series Toreiyu[36]
R19	18 November 2002		1 March 2021	Converted 2016 to E3-700 series Genbi Shinkansen[37]
R20	24 March 2003		17 December 2015[38]
R21	16 September 2003		13 September 2021
R22	27 October 2003		25 November 2021
R23	1 December 2003		25 May 2014	Converted 2014 to become Set L55
R24	4 April 2005		4 December 2013[Note 7]	Converted 2014 to become Set L54
R25	11 July 2005		18 December 2013[Note 8]	Converted 2014 to become Set L54
R26	25 July 2005		6 July 2014	Converted 2014 to become Set L55

Interior

• 
  Green car interior
• 
  Interior of standard-class car 12
• 
  Interior of standard-class car 16

E3-1000 series

E3-1000 series set L51 on a Tsubasa service in April 2011

E3-1000 series set L52 on a Tsubasa service in July 2006

Three 7-car E3-1000 sets (numbered L51 – L53) were built between 1999 and 2005 for use on Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa services from 4 December 1999 to augment the 400 series fleet following with the extension of the line to Shinjo.^[39] From 2014, a further two sets (L54 and L55) were introduced, reformed from withdrawn Akita Shinkansen E3-0 series "R" sets, to replace the two older sets L51 and L52.^[40]

With effect of the timetable revision implemented in March 2024, following the introduction of the E8 Series Shinkansen, all remaining E3-1000 series trains were withdrawn from regular service.^[41]

Sets L51 and 52 (4th generation)

These sets were added for the Shinjo Line extension in 1999.^[42] The electrical equipment and windshield wipers are the same as those of set R17, but the interior is specially designed. The electric seat rotation device for the Yamagata Shinkansen was only preparatory work, and this set is not equipped with a garbage compactor.^[42]

Set L53 (7th generation)

Completed in 2005. The interior is almost the same as the 4th series (sets L51 and 52), but the 5th series (sets R18-R23) for the Akita Shinkansen was manufactured in the meantime, and the electrical equipment and interior facilities were changed to conform to the 6th series (R24-26) for the Akita Shinkansen manufactured at the same time.^[30] The green stripe of the 4th series was covered with film, but the 7th series was painted.^[6] This is the only newly built 1000 series train to have the new paint job. (Sets L51 and L52 trains were scrapped without being repainted.)

Formation

The sets were formed as shown below, with five motored ("M") cars and two non-powered trailer ("T") cars, and car 11 at the Tokyo end.

Car No.	11	12	13	14	15	16	17
Designation	M1sc	M2	T1	M2	T2	M1	M2c
Numbering	E311-1000	E326-1000	E329-1000	E326-1100	E328-1000	E325-1000	E322-1000
Seating capacity	23	67	60	68	64	64	56

Cars 12 and 14 were equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.^[18]

Interior

• 
  Standard class car interior

Fleet history

Set L53 on delivery from Tokyu Car in July 2005

The build details are as shown below.^[35]

Set No.	Manufacturer	Date delivered	Date reliveried	Date withdrawn	Remarks
L51	Tokyu Car	11 August 1999	-	5 September 2014[43]
L52	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	11 September 1999	-	4 February 2015[44]
L53	Tokyu Car	17 August 2005	24 November 2015[45]	18 March 2024[46]
L54	Kawasaki Heavy Industries[44]	30 July 2014[44]		15 May 2024[47]	Rebuilt from sets R24+R25
L55	J-TREC[44]	13 January 2015[44]	13 January 2015[44]	15 May 2024[48]	Rebuilt from sets R23+R26

L54/L55 conversion details

E3-1000 series set L54 in March 2015

The former identities of the cars reformed into sets L54 and L55 are as shown below.^[40]

Set No.	Car No.	Running No.	Former set No.	Former car No.	Former running No.
L54	11	E311-1004	R25	11	E311-25
	12	E326-1004		12	E326-25
	13	E329-1004		13	E329-25
	14	E326-1104	R24	12	E326-24
	15	E328-1004		13	E329-24
	16	E325-1004	R25	15	E325-25
	17	E322-1004		16	E322-25
L55	11	E311-1005	R26	11	E311-25
	12	E326-1005		12	E326-25
	13	E329-1005		13	E329-26
	14	E326-1105	R23	12	E326-23
	15	E328-1005		13	E329-23
	16	E325-1005	R26	15	E325-26
	17	E322-1005		16	E322-26

E3-2000 series

Reliveried E3-2000 series set L67 on a Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa service in September 2015

E3-2000 series set L67 in original livery in May 2009

The first of a fleet of twelve new E3-2000 series 7-car sets entered service on Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa services on 20 December 2008.^[49] The new fleet totally replaced the older 400 series trains by summer 2009. The new trains incorporate design improvements, including active suspension, full-color LED destination indicators, and AC power outlets in all cars.^[50] Seating capacity in cars 16 and 17 has been reduced by 4 (one row of seats) compared with the E3-1000 series to provide uniform seating pitch in all cars (seat pitch was previously reduced in non-reserved cars).

Formation

Car No.	11	12	13	14	15	16	17
Designation	M1sc	M2	T1	M2	T2	M1	M2c
Numbering	E311-2000	E326-2000	E329-2000	E326-2100	E328-2000	E325-2000	E322-2000
Seating capacity	23	67	60	68	64	60	52

Cars 12 and 14 are equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.^[18]

• 
  E311-2009 (car 11)
• 
  E326-2009 (car 12)
• 
  E329-2009 (car 13)
• 
  E326-2109 (car 14)
• 
  E328-2009 (car 15)
• 
  E325-2009 (car 16)
• 
  E322-2009 (car 17)

Fleet history

As of 1 October 2016^[update], the E3-2000 series fleet is as follows.^[45]

Set No.	Manufacturer	Date delivered	Date reliveried	Date withdrawn
L61	Kawasaki HI	9 October 2008	6 July 2016	7 December 2024
L62		9 December 2008	Unknown date	16 June 2025
L63		7 January 2009	24 November 2015	17 December 2024
L64		17 February 2009	25 April 2014	25 December 2024
L65		3 March 2009	6 June 2014 (Returned to original livery on 11 February 2023)
L66		25 March 2009	22 October 2014	22 August 2024
L67	Tokyu Car	28 March 2009	12 November 2014
L68	Kawasaki HI	14 April 2009	5 December 2014
L69		19 May 2009	23 February 2015
L70		30 June 2009	6 April 2016
L71		22 July 2009	24 April 2016
L72		25 March 2010	18 September 2015

Interior

• 
  Standard class car interior

Repainting

Current livery

The first re-liveried set, L64, May 2014

From spring 2014, the entire fleet of 15 E3-1000 and E3-2000 series Tsubasa sets were gradually repainted into a new livery designed by industrial designer Ken Okuyama.^[51] The new livery consists of white, evoking the snow of Mount Zaō, deep purple inspired by the Mandarin duck, the prefectural bird for Yamagata Prefecture, together with yellow and red for the safflower, the prefectural flower of Yamagata Prefecture.^[52] The first repainted set is appeared in late April.^[52] Three sets were repainted by June 2014, and the rest of the fleet of 15 sets was repainted by mid 2016.^[51]

• 
  Apple and rice motif
• 
  Cherry and safflower motif

Original livery (2023 revision)

On 11 February 2023, set L65 was repainted into the original silver and green livery used at the time of introduction to Tsubasa services last seen in 2016.^[53] According to JR East, the repainting was done to promote the Yamagata Shinkansen.

E3-700 series Toreiyu excursion set

E3-700 series Toreiyu set R18 in September 2015

This was a six-car set rebuilt from former Akita Shinkansen trainset R18^[36] as an excursion train named Toreiyu (とれいゆ) for use on the Yamagata Shinkansen between Fukushima and Shinjo, which entered service from July 2014.^[54] The design work for the rebuilt train was overseen by industrial designer Ken Okuyama.^[55] The six-car set had a total seating capacity of 143 passengers.^[54] Car 11 was a standard-class car with reserved seating arranged 2+2 abreast, cars 12 to 14 featured Japanese-style tatami seating, car 15 was a lounge car with a bar counter, and car 16 was ashiyu foot baths.^[54] The name of the train is a portmanteau of the English word "train" and the French word "soleil" (sun).^[54] The train was normally used on special Toreiyu Tsubasa services running at weekends.^[54] The train was discontinued in March 2022.^[56]

Formation

The Toreiyu set was based at Yamagata Depot and formed as shown below, with car 11 at the Fukushima end.^[36]

Car No.	11	12	13	14	15	16
Designation	M1c	M2	T1	T2	M1	M2c
Numbering	E321-701	E326-701	E329-701	E328-701	E325-701	E322-701
Facilities	2+2 seating	Japanese-style seating			Lounge + bar counter	Ashiyu foot baths

• 
  Interior of car 11 with conventional seating
• 
  Interior of car 14 with Japanese-style tatami seating
• 
  The tatami lounge area in car 15
• 
  The bar counter in car 15
• 
  The entrance to car 16
• 
  The ashiyu foot baths at the end of car 16

E3-700 series Genbi Shinkansen excursion set

E3-700 series Genbi Shinkansen set R19 in September 2016

The Genbi Shinkansen (現美新幹線; "contemporary art shinkansen") was a six-car set rebuilt from former Akita Shinkansen trainset R19 at Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe as an excursion train for use on the Joetsu Shinkansen between Echigo-Yuzawa and Niigata. The train began operations on 29 April 2016,^[57] mostly on weekends and holidays. It was withdrawn from service on 19 December 2020.^[58]

The exterior livery was designed by photographer Mika Ninagawa.^[37] The first car of the six car set featured the art of Nao Matsumoto; a golden yellow motif based on harvests, festivals and light was present in the car. Window shades displayed art using a special dye as the train passes through tunnels. The second car featured stainless steel mirrors on the walls, the work of Yusuke Komuta. They reflect the landscape outside the train. The third car featured a children's area and a cafe. The children's area featured blue and white representations of toy trains by Art Unit Paramodel. The cafe section of the car was designed by Kentaro Kobuke and served sweet items featuring local products. The fourth car featured an alpine photography exhibition by Naoki Ishikawa. The fifth car featured an abstract flower artpiece by Haruka Koujin that vibrated with the motion of the train. The final car featured a short film by Brian Alfred, depicting the scenery of Niigata.^[59] The trainset was shown off to the media on 12 January 2016.^[37]

Formation

The Genbi Shinkansen set was based at Niigata Depot and formed as shown below, with car 11 at the Tokyo end.^[57]

Car No.	11	12	13	14	15	16
Designation	M1c	M2	T1	T2	M1	M2c
Numbering	E321-702	E326-702	E329-702	E328-702	E325-702	E322-702
Former number	E311-19	E326-19	E329-19	E328-19	E325-19	E322-19
Facilities	2+2 seating	Art gallery space	Cafe + children's play area	Art gallery space

Cars 12 and 15 each had one single-arm pantograph.^[57]

• 
  The interior of reserved-seating car 11 in January 2018
• 
  The interior of car 12 in January 2018 (mirror installation by Yusuke Komuta)
• 
  The cafeteria counter in Car 13 in June 2017
• 
  The children's play area in car 13 in June 2017
• 
  The interior of car 14 in January 2018 (photographs by Naoki Ishikawa)

Derivatives

A JR East Class E926 "East-i" train

East-i inspection train

The East-i series inspection Shinkansen is used for track and overhead wire diagnostic work on the Tōhoku, Jōetsu, Hokuriku, Hokkaido, Yamagata, and Akita Shinkansen lines.

Cargo-only shinkansen

JR East has announced plans to retrofit an existing E3 trainset for freight-only service, removing all passenger seating and adding equipment for securing cargo. It is anticipated that the train will transport high-value goods such as precision equipment and premium fresh fish, offering speedier delivery and a smoother ride compared to existing freight trains. The train is slated to enter service in fall 2025 between Tokyo and Morioka, coupled to a train in passenger service.^[60]

Indian inspection train

One used E3 Series trainset is planned to be gifted to India (alongside a E5 Series trainset) for use as an inspection train on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor, after modifications are carried out to install relevant equipment. This follows the precedent of a 0 Series being provided to Taiwan to serve as a structure gauging car during construction of the Taiwan High Speed Rail. Besides inspecting the tracks and overhead lines, it is expected that the trains will be used to collect data on performance in India's hot climate and dusty environment, and help inform development of the E10 Series for Indian service.^[61][62]

See also

• List of high-speed trains

Notes

1. It tapers sharply towards the coupler cover and is rounded.
2. The earlier production models were replaced by the E2 series 0 and E4 series.
3. Up until set R17, this feature was only equipped in green cars.
4. It is the same type used on the E257 series and 253 series 5th batch, which were manufactured at the same time.
5. The shape of the grips is different for Green Car and Ordinary Car.
6. Sets R24-R26 have been reverted to the specifications of the R2-R17 sets.
7. Cars 11 and 14-16^[35]
8. Car 14^[35]