E8 order reduced

[bikkuri bahn]

JR East announced on the 18th that the planned order of E8 units for the Yamagata Shinkansen (debut in spring 2024) has been reduced by two trainsets to a new number of 15 (10 cars per trainset). Reason was economic fallout from Covid will be long-term in Tohoku region.  First time a long-term capital investment has been reduced.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/fea021654041e5139c96d2f9eebc92c5b56b7ae4

[miyakoji]

Looks like 15 sets will be 1:1 replacement for all the in-service E3-1000 trains (3 of 5 total sets) and the whole E3-2000 fleet, 12 sets.  Currently there are 9 departures from Shinjo, all going all the way to Tokyo.  Presumably this is already the corona-era reduced service, and they'll just be keeping it?  Does the accounting or manufacturing contract preclude building more if circumstances improve?

 

https://www.jreast-timetable.jp/2205/timetable/tt0867/0867020.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E3_Series_Shinkansen#E3-1000_series

[disturbman]

16 hours ago, bikkuri bahn said:

10 cars per trainset

Typo? That seems improbable. These should be 7-car train sets, as per the E3.

Edited May 18, 2022 by disturbman