E2 Series Shinkansen

E2 series
E2 series set J70 approaching Omiya Station in February 2021
In service22 March 1997 (1997-03-22) – present
Manufacturer
Constructed19952005, 2010
Entered service22 March 1997
Refurbished2002 (E2-0 series J sets)
Scrapped2013-
Number built502 vehicles (53 sets)
Number in service60 vehicles (6 sets) (as of 16 March 2025)
Number preserved3 vehicles
Number scrapped439 vehicles (47 sets)
Successor
Formation8/10 cars per trainset
Fleet numbersJ1-15, 51-75, N1-13, 21
Capacity10-car J sets: 815 (51 Green + 764 Standard)
8-car N sets: 630 (51 Green + 579 Standard)
OperatorsJR East
DepotsSendai, Nagano (formerly), Niigata (formerly)
Lines servedTohoku Shinkansen, Hokuriku Shinkansen, Joetsu Shinkansen
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Car length25.7 m (84 ft 4 in) (end cars)
25 m (82 ft 0 in) (intermediate cars)
Width3.38 m (11 ft 1 in)
Doors2 per side
Maximum speed275 km/h (171 mph) (Tohoku Shinkansen)
260 km/h (162 mph) (Hokuriku Shinkansen)
240 km/h (149 mph) (Joetsu Shinkansen)
Traction system(AC) MT205 (24 x 300 kW (402 hp) per 8-car train, 32 x 300 kW (402 hp) per 10-car train)
Power output7.2 MW (9,655 hp) (for 8-car train), 9.6 MW (12,874 hp) (for 10-car train)
Electric system(s)25 kV AC, 50/60 Hz overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Safety system(s)ATC-2, DS-ATC
Multiple workingE3 series
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

The E2 series (E2系, E2-kei) is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on the Tohoku Shinkansen high-speed lines in Japan since 1997. They are formed in 8- and 10-car sets. The 8-car sets were used on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and the 10-car sets are on Tohoku Shinkansen services. The 10-car sets can be coupled to E3 series sets using couplers hidden behind retracting nose doors.

They operate at a maximum speed of 275 km/h (171 mph) on the Tohoku Shinkansen.

A total of 502 vehicles (14 8-car "N" sets and 39 10-car "J" sets) were built between 1997 and 2010, with the first withdrawals commencing in late 2013.