0 Series Shinkansen

The 0 Series Shinkansen were the first Trainset s built to run on Japan's new high speed rail network, and are therefore still the image of the Shinkansen in the minds of most non-Japanese because of all the publicity they received when the first Shinkansen line began operation in 1964 .

The 0 series (which were not originally so classed; there was no need to distinguish classes of trainset until later) entered service with the start of Tokaido Shinkansen operations in 1964. These units were white with a blue stripe along the windows and another at the bottom of the car body, including the front Pilot .

Unlike previous Japanese trains, the Tokaido Shinkansen and all subsequent Shinkansen were Standard Gauge (4'8½", 1,435 mm between the rails). The trains are all powered by 25 kV AC electricity at 60 Hz. On the 0 series, all axles of all cars are powered by 185 kW Traction Motor s; this is sufficient for a 220 km/h (136 mph) top speed.

The original trains were 12-car sets; some subsequent sets were 16 cars. Later, shorter trains of 6 cars and even 4 cars were assembled for lesser duties. Production of 0 series units continued from 1963 until 1986 .

Existence as a Shinkansen train is tough; though most rail equipment has a service life of thirty or more years, Shinkansen sets are tired after fifteen, and they are generally removed from service after that point. All 0 series cars are now past fifteen years of service; therefore, few are left. The only 0 series sets now in use are 6 car sets used on JR West Kodama services between Shin-Osaka and Hakata, and on the Hakata Minami Line , which is technically not a Shinkansen line. Outside of Japan, the leading vehicle from a 0 series set can be found at the British National Railway Museum in York , which was donated by the JR West company in 2001.

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0 Series Shinkansen