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800 Series Shinkansen / 新幹線800系

The 800 Series (800系) is a Shinkansen train type operated by JR Kyushu since 2004.

Manufactured for the partial opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen, the 800 series is the only bullet train to be designed by JR Kyushu. The southern portion of the Kyushu Shinkansen from Kagoshima-Chuo to Shin-Yatsushiro opened as an isolated line, with the connection to the San'yo Shinkansen at Hakata Station not completed until 2011. The 800 series shares the basic structure of the 700 series, although the exterior was overhauled by JR Kyushu's design team. The company's president insisted on creating a unique front design to differentiate from other JR Companies, the final result was a rounded shape inspired by the first Shinkansen trains (0 series). Technical and maintenance assistance was provided by JR Central and JR West, and the type was manufactured in parallel with the 700 series to reduce costs. 6 trains were produced prior to the start of operations, while 3 additional sets entered service in 2009 and 2010. JR Kyushu decided against further expansion of the 800 series with the full opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen in 2011, instead adopting the N700 series. As such, only 9 6-car trains were manufactured. All seats are ordinary class and there are no green cars onboard. However, ordinary class is arranged in a spacious 2+2 layout with traditional Japanese designs on the seat covers, as well as elegant wooden panels and armrests. The quality of these seats are often considered as far superior to the 2+3 ordinary class seating of JR Central and JR West. As of current, the 800 series primarily operate all-station Tsubame services and some express Sakura trains within the Kyushu Shinkansen, the type does not enter the San'yo Shinkansen, although it is capable of doing so from a technical perspective. 1 set was damaged by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake and scrapped, the other 8 trains are in active service.

Basic Information:

Max Speed: 285km/h
Acceleration: 0.73m/s/s
Motor Output: 275kW x 4 per car
In Service: 2004-

The following formations are included:

800 Series (6 Car)

Configuration: 6M
Max Pax: 384
-can be coupled up to 2 sets