E331系 for scrap?

[bronzeonion]

 

I would assume from this video and photos I have seen on Flickr that the E331系 articulated prototype has reached the end of it's life?

[kvp]

Considering the e993 was scrapped in 2006 and there is no similar train at any of the JR companies it would cost too much to maintain it in service. The bogies are unique, the motors and control systems are unique and pretty much everything was unique in it. Since apparently it's not common to preserve prototypes or one off trains in Japan, they had to do something with it. The train couldn't use spare parts from other sets and there is no easy way to divide it up into smaller trains that can be sold to 3rd sector companies. It's sad to see it gone, because i liked its design, especially the jackobs bogies with direct drive motors.

[bronzeonion]

Considering the e993 was scrapped in 2006 and there is no similar train at any of the JR companies it would cost too much to maintain it in service. The bogies are unique, the motors and control systems are unique and pretty much everything was unique in it. Since apparently it's not common to preserve prototypes or one off trains in Japan, they had to do something with it. The train couldn't use spare parts from other sets and there is no easy way to divide it up into smaller trains that can be sold to 3rd sector companies. It's sad to see it gone, because i liked its design, especially the jackobs bogies with direct drive motors.

 

Yep you're right about all the non standard parts

 

Can't work out why some of the cars have the lights working and have generators inside though in that video hmm

[kvp]

Can't work out why some of the cars have the lights working and have generators inside though in that video hmm

In theory those cars should contain the brake compressors. Usually they just connect a compatible trainset to the front and back and route the air through. This is why they have to use 6 e231 cars to move 4 middle cars. (3 to the front, 3 to the back, 1 kuha with the controls, 1 moha with a pantograph and 1 moha with a compressor, 2 times) I don't really understand why the ef64 can't supply the brake systems with air and control commands. Both brake lines seem to be connected through the coupler adapter.

[miyakoji]

It was mentioned on the jtrains mailing list that the decision to install platform doors at all urban stations sealed this thing's fate--stations so equipped won't be able to handle trains with varying door configurations.  But, this train had been around for a while and JR East didn't seem to do a lot with it.  It hadn't been used on a revenue run since 2011.  Odakyu uses articulated designs, I wonder why it works for them.

[Sacto1985]

The very fact it was a truly one of a kind design consigned this trainset to the scrapyard sooner or later.

[Guest keio6000]

It was mentioned on the jtrains mailing list that the decision to install platform doors at all urban stations sealed this thing's fate--stations so equipped won't be able to handle trains with varying door configurations.  But, this train had been around for a while and JR East didn't seem to do a lot with it.  It hadn't been used on a revenue run since 2011.  Odakyu uses articulated designs, I wonder why it works for them.

 

what do you mean 'all urban platforms'..  like all all in JR east?   so long, railfanning, so long rail romance.

[Sacto1985]

what do you mean 'all urban platforms'..  like all all in JR east?   so long, railfanning, so long rail romance.

 

I believe the plan is have all stations in the Tokyo metro area switch to using platform doors on all stations of commuter rail lines. I'm not sure about the Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines, though. 

[kvp]

The platform doors that are being installed now will determine the door layout of future trains, since it would be too expensive to move all doors when a new train type arrives. And because cab cars have a different layout, this means the train lengths will be fixed, so off peak length must match peak length or the doors won't match.

 

For railfanning, i think you can make good pictures from other places than platforms. It's harder and less legal, but possible. Of course the romance will be a bit lost. I also rember there were elevators that didn't have cabin doors, so you had to stand back. Also, some of them even had drivers. The future looks like a mix between the yurikamome and the russian horizontal lift style from St. Petersburg, where you can't even see the trains until the platform doors open.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VN4dNOTs9g

Edited March 27, 2014 by kvp