E993 series

The E993 series (E993系) "AC Train" was an experimental 5-car electric multiple unit (EMU) train operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan between 2002 and 2006.[1][2]

E993 series
E993 series train on test, June 2004
In service	2002–2006
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Tokyu Car Corporation
Constructed	2002
Scrapped	2006
Number built	5 vehicles (1 set)
Formation	5 cars per set
Capacity	Non-passenger
Operator(s)	JR East
Depot(s)	Kawagoe
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	16,050 mm (52 ft 8 in) (end cars), 13,000 mm (42 ft 8 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	3,000 mm (9 ft 10 in)
Height	3,640 mm (11 ft 11 in)
Floor height	1,150 mm (3 ft 9 in)
Doors	3 pairs per side 2 pairs per side (SaHa E993)
Maximum speed	120 km/h (75 mph)
Power output	200kW x2 per motor car
Electric system(s)	1,500 V DC
Current collection method	Overhead catenary
Safety system(s)	ATC, ATS-P, ATS-SN
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

Concept

The E993 series "AC Train" ("Advanced Commuter Train") was developed by JR East to test and evaluate a number of new technologies and features for possible use in future commuter train designs.[1] These included features intended to reduce life-cycle costs, improve the interior passenger environment, improve accessibility, and increase environmental friendliness.[2]

Technological features

The train incorporated the following features for evaluation.[2]

• Articulated cars with shared bogies
• Direct drive motors (DDM)
• Double-skin body construction
• Externally slung sliding doors
• Advanced Train Information Management System (AIMS)

Formation

The 5-car articulated set was based at Kawagoe Depot on the Kawagoe Line and formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Kawagoe end, and car 5 at the Shinjuku end.[3] Cars 1 and 2 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe, and cars 3 to 5 were built by Tokyu Car Corporation in Yokohama.[2]

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5
Designation	Tc'	M'	M	T	Tc
Numbering	KuHa E992-1	MoHa E992-1	MoHa E993-1	SaHa E993-1	KuHa E993-1

Cars 2 and 4 were each fitted with one single-arm pantograph.[3]

Cars 1 and 2 had double-skin aluminium bodies, cars 3 to 5 had stainless steel bodies with double-skin construction used for cars 3 and 5.[2]

• 
  KuHa E992-1
• 
  MoHa E992-1
• 
  MoHa E993-1
• 
  SaHa E993-1
• 
  KuHa E993-1

History

The E993 series train being hauled to Koriyama Works for scrapping, July 2006

The train was delivered to JR East's Kawagoe Depot on 17 January 2002.[2] Test running commenced on the Kawagoe Line and Saikyo Line the following month.[2]

The train was officially withdrawn on 14 July 2006.[4]

Features tested on the E993 series, including articulated cars and direct drive motors, were subsequently incorporated in the E331 series prototype train delivered in 2006.

References

1. JR全車輌ハンドブック2005 [JR Rolling Stock Handbook 2005]. Japan: Neko Publishing. August 2005. p. 374. ISBN 978-4-7770-0382-2.
2. プロトタイプの世界 - Prototype World. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbunsha. December 2005. pp. 76–79.
3. JR電車編成表 '05冬号 [JR EMU Formations - Winter 2005]. Japan: JRR. January 2005. p. 66. ISBN 978-4-88283-042-9.
4. "JRグループ車両のデータバンク2006/2007" [JR Group Databank 2006/2007]. Japan Railfan Magazine. 47 (555): Appendix p.37. July 2007.