Rail fans, who are familiar with Japanese railways, probably know that the EMU E7 series train is for Hokuriku Shinkansen. It's true, but not necessary the correct answer. On March 16th, 2019, JR East started to operate it on Joetsu Shinkansen as well. It is because the existing E4 series has deteriorated, and needs to be replaced by the other models.
As a train spotter, I enjoy distinguishing the E7 series for Joetsu Shinkansen from that of Hokuriku Shinkansen. The E7 series for Joetsu Shinkansen has additional pink colored side stripe on their side bodies. The pink color stands for Japanese crested ibis (bird), which inhabits on Joetsu Shinkansen. The E7 series was launched in 2014 as a Nagano Shinkansen (present Hokuriku Shinkansen) train. Its blue colored long nose is cool. The interior of the E7 series is also beautiful. It has a modern design with a traditional Japanese style. A total of 19 sets, 228 units, were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Hitachi and J-TREC.
An unforeseen disaster happened in September last year. A big typhoon hit the central part of Japan. A total of 8 sets, 96 units, of the E7 series suffered from flood damage at Nagano rail yard. JR East originally planned to replace all the old Joetsu Shinkansen trains by the new E7 series by the end of March, 2023. I think that the original plan should be changed.
Disasters befall us when we least expect them.
As a train spotter, I enjoy distinguishing the E7 series for Joetsu Shinkansen from that of Hokuriku Shinkansen. The E7 series for Joetsu Shinkansen has additional pink colored side stripe on their side bodies. The pink color stands for Japanese crested ibis (bird), which inhabits on Joetsu Shinkansen. The E7 series was launched in 2014 as a Nagano Shinkansen (present Hokuriku Shinkansen) train. Its blue colored long nose is cool. The interior of the E7 series is also beautiful. It has a modern design with a traditional Japanese style. A total of 19 sets, 228 units, were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Hitachi and J-TREC.
An unforeseen disaster happened in September last year. A big typhoon hit the central part of Japan. A total of 8 sets, 96 units, of the E7 series suffered from flood damage at Nagano rail yard. JR East originally planned to replace all the old Joetsu Shinkansen trains by the new E7 series by the end of March, 2023. I think that the original plan should be changed.
Disasters befall us when we least expect them.
Official promotion movie about JR East ski resort on Joetsu Shinkansen:
Official movie about JR East next generation shinkansen train, ALFA-X: