Tōkaido Shinkansen 0 Series Retirement (1999)

[200系]

Since the first train departed Tōkyō station in 1964, the 0系 Shinkansen and the Tōkaido Shinkansen where unmistakeably joined together.

Year after year, trough all kinds of weather and in all kind of conditions, they provided reliable, and safe service to tens of millions of travelers.

Not only where they dependable workhorses on the Tōkaido Shinkansen, they also proved valuable as a symbol of post-war Japan's economical recovery, and provided a powerful, but more peaceful image for the 'new' Japan, both in Japan and abroad.

 

In the 1990's, with the rapid influx of new equipment (the last 100系 formations the 300系, 500系 and in late 1999 the 700系),  the (long) era of the 0系 on the Tōkaido Shinkansen was slowly, but definitely, coming to an end.

In 1997 the last Nh/H, or Hikari formations where removed from the Tōkaido Shinkansen by JR West, the remaining formations being used as standby or holiday trains on the Sanyō Shinkansen. JR Tōkai had already retired their last Nh formation in 1995, after using it as a standby formation for a year.

What remained where the 16 car Yk/Y Kodama formations, all owned by JR Tōkai.

 

1999 would be the final year for the 0系 Shinkansen on the Tōkaido Shinkansen. As the influx of 500系, and the upcoming 700系 made it possible to finally retire the ageing 0系, as well as limiting the number of 'slow' (less then 270km/h) series to just one, the 100系, with the first 100系 formations slated to be retired the year after that (2000, X formations), with the last of the 16 car formations gone in 2003.

 

On September 18th 1999 a chapter in history was closed, when the remaining Yk formations provided the final day of 0系 service on the Tōkaido Shinkansen. All of the remaining formations where adorned with a commemorative crest, similar to the 300系 13 years later. Formation Yk8 would have the honor of the final service, and so she did, with the completion of Kodama 473 nearly 35 years of service (by the 0系) came to an end.

 

Some time ago I came across these clips shot that day, both of the day itself as well as the final train.

 

 

On a final note,

 

The formations surviving until the end, the Yk/Y formations, where all formed, and owned, by JR Tōkai.

The Yk/Y formations where formed in 1989/1990 by JR Tōkai, by placing four extra cars (two 25形 and two 26形) into 12 car ex-JNR Sk formations (not to be confused with JR West Sk 'west Hikari' formations), in turn creating 16 car Kodama formations, providing the Tōkaido Shinkansen with 16 car trains, no matter the service (a practice that continues today).

In 1999, the following Yk formations where left (the last Y formation retired in 1997):

 

-Yk8     2000/1000番台 mix, two 1000番台 cars

-Yk29   2000/1000番台 mix, four 1000番台 cars

-Yk38   1000/2000番台 mix, ten 1000番台 cars

-Yk40   2000/1000番台 mix, one 1000番台 car

-Yk41   2000/1000番台 mix, one 1000番台 car

 

In terms of information that's it I guess, I hope you've enjoyed reading this.

 

Enjoy!

[miyakoji]

great post as always 200, thanks!

[200系]

Miyakoji, thanks, it's much appreciated!

 

Forgot to mention, besides the obvious 0系, none of the Shinkansen featured in the first video (100系/300系/500系) are on the Tōkaido Shinkansen today, with only the 500系 still around, though modified and in a different role. Just goes to show how quickly some things change on the Japanese railway scene.

 

-Sander

[Boiler]

The 0 series was more than just a train.  It was an icon.  The Bullet Trains changed global perception of Japanese quality.  Post war Japanese manufacturing was cheap and didn't last.  "Made in Japan" had a bad reputation.  This all changed with the Bullet Train.  The technology demanded strict planning, design, manufacturing standards and quality control - with everything from rail tolerances to transistor technology.  Change seemed to sweep through the Japanese manufacturing industry and within a few short years people no longer scoffed at owning a Japanese car, Pioneer stereos became the trusted brand, and consumer electronics was built to last - I still have a Toshiba AM/FM radio from the 1970's. 40 years later it still works perfectly, although there seems to be some static when adjusting the volume.  It even has it's leather jacket ... remember when all transistor radios came with a leather jacket?

 

We have a lot more to thank the 0 series shinkansen for than just heralding a new era in rail, although that alone was a mighty achievement.  The sad thing is that children today just don't get it.

[angusmclean]

Hi boiler.  The leather-covered portables brought back memories. That noise on the volume control is caused by either degrading of the carbon track which a metal wiper runs on due to wear, or by dust/dirt on the track, both of which cause annoying noise. Should be straight-forward to replace the volume pot with a new one. Then using it is 'just like new'!!

 

Angus