Class 951 Shinkansen

The Class 951 (951形) was an experimental Japanese Shinkansen train built to test the technology for future high-speed trains operating at speeds of up to 250 km/h (155 mph) following the opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen in 1964.[1][2]

Class 951
951-1 preserved in Kokubunji, Tokyo, November 1997
In service1969–1973
ManufacturerKawasaki Sharyo, Nippon Sharyo
Constructed1969
Scrapped2008
Number built2 vehicles
Number preserved1 vehicle
Number scrapped1 vehicle
Formation2 cars
Capacity40 seated (Car 951-1)
50 seated (Car 951-2)
Operator(s)JNR
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium alloy
Car length25,000 mm (82 ft 0.25 in)[1]
Width3,386 mm (11 ft 1.31 in)
Doors2 sliding doors per side
Maximum speed250 km/h (155 mph) (nominal)
Traction system250 kW (340 hp) x 8
Power output2,000 kW (2,700 hp)
Electric system(s)25 kV AC, 60 Hz overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Cross-arm type pantograph
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Formation

The Class 951 train was a two-car unit formed of cars numbered 951-1 and 951-2. Car 951-1 was built by Kawasaki Sharyo (present-day Kawasaki Heavy Industries), and had a seating capacity of 40 with seats arranged 3+2 abreast. Car 951-2 was built by Nippon Sharyo, and had a seating capacity of 50, also with seats arranged 3+2 abreast.[1]

  1. 951-1 (Mc)
  2. 951-2 (M'c)

Both cars were fitted with a cross-arm type pantograph at the inner end.[1] Both were based on the PS200 type used on the 0 Series Shinkansen trains, but the pantograph on car 951-1 was designated PS9010K, and that on car 951-2 was designated PS-1010A.[1] Normally, only the pantograph on car 951-2 was used.[1]

History

The train was unveiled to the press on 26 March 1969, with formal test running commencing on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen from 2 July 1969.[3]

On 24 February 1972, the Class 951 recorded a world speed record of 286 km/h (178 mph) on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Himeji and Nishi-Akashi, breaking the previous record of 256 km/h (159 mph) set by the Class 1000 Shinkansen.[1]

The train was formally withdrawn on 11 April 1980.[4] Car 951-2 was transferred to the Railway Technical Research Institute in Kokubunji, Tokyo, where it was used for roller rig testing. Car 951-1 was donated to the nearby Hikari Plaza Community Centre in 1994, where it is open to the public.[5] Car 951-2 was subsequently stored out of use inside the Railway Technical Research Institute,[1] and was cut up in 2008.[4]

References
  1. プロトタイプの世界 – Prototype World. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbunsha. December 2005. OCLC 170056962.
  2. "新幹線試験電車" [Shinkansen Experimental Train]. Japan Railfan Magazine. Vol. 9, no. 91. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. January 1969. pp. 8–10.
  3. Suda, Hiroshi (2000). 東海道新幹線 [Tokaido Shinkansen]. Tokyo, Japan: JTB Can Books. ISBN 4-533-03563-9.
  4. Minoru, Saiki (April 2014). 首都圏こだわりレイルビュー　第13回孤高の保存車両 [Tokyo Area Rail View Part 13: Unique Preserved Rolling Stock]. Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 43, no. 360. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. pp. 90–92.
  5. 鉄道のテクノロジーVol1：新幹線 [Railway Technology Vol.1: Shinkansen]. Japan: Sanei Mook. April 2009. p. 121. ISBN 978-4-7796-0534-5.
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