Hanshin 5700 series

[miyakoji]

Hanshin's new 5700 series has begun daytime test runs.  These are the company's first new trains in 20 years, and they follow the 5500 series in having 4.0km/h/s acceleration, see Bikkuri's thread on the topic here: http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/6124-hanshin-jet-cars-speedometer-shots/ .  This set will enter service in summer, and subsequent formations will replace the 13 existing 5001 series trains.  It probably is about time for a fleet refresh, but the 5000s still look great in their dark blue and creme livery.

 

http://railf.jp/news/2015/06/26/200000.html

http://railf.jp/news/2015/06/09/153000.html

 

Kobe Shimbun video with interior and undercarriage views

 

 

video by SANTENDOGA, available in 4K resolution if you've got the gear :)

 

[katoftw]

It is quite a nice train.  I think they have missed the mark with the fronts.  IT look like a Ben 10 alien.  I do like the lean on padded areas near the doors.  They are a nice touch for commuters.

Edited June 27, 2015 by katoftw

[railsquid]

Meh, yet more aluminium-grey cars with random splashes of colour around the doors.

[Sacto1985]

There is now a rush to replace the old EMU's on the JR Group and private railways due to two issues:

 

1. The need for more power-efficient trainsets.

2. The sheer age of many trainsets, even if they're well-maintained.

 

In short, companies like J-TREC, Nippon Sharyo, Kinki Sharyo, Hitachi and the assembly lines owned directly by JR Group companies are going to be very busy over the next 4-5 years. The Hanshin 5700 Series EMU may only be the first of a large-scale EMU replacement program.

Edited June 27, 2015 by Sacto1985

[Kabutoni]

Externally, it is not a great replacement for the 5000 series, but technologically it is. The front has too many details going on and is not balanced well in my opinion. The red end lights could have seen a slightly better placement than a slanted position, but then the front design would simply have looked like a quick copy of the 1000 series. Maybe the lack of visible footplates on the front also play a role in this. 

 

It's not a too bad looking train, but it certainly isn't the best. However, if I were to have lived in the Kansai, instead of the Kanto, Hanshin would have been my prime target, and this would have been on my 'wanted' list as a model.  4 and 6-car trains, short station distances, large variety of rolling stock and colours, multiple companies, etc. etc. Pretty perfects stuff.

 

Anyway, this process of replacing trains has been going on since 1993, when JR East started with the 209 series as a "New series trains" (新系列電車 Shin-keiretsu densha) and the follow-up E231 Series (2000) that laid the groundwork for standardised rolling stock nationwide.