{{short description|Japanese hybrid diesel/electric luxury cruise train type}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}} {{Infobox train | name = E001 series<br>''Train Suite Shiki-shima'' | image = JR East E001 series Train Suite Shiki-shima 20170619.jpg | imagesize = 300px | caption = The E001 series train on the Nikko Line in diesel mode in June 2017 | stocktype = Electric multiple unit/Diesel multiple unit | service = 2017–present | manufacturer = [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]]/[[J-TREC]] | factory = [[Kobe]]/[[Yokohama]] | yearconstruction = 2016 | yearservice = 1 May 2017 | refurbishment = | yearscrapped = | numberconstruction = | numberbuilt = 1 set (10 vehicles) | numberservice = 1 set (10 vehicles) | numberpreserved = | numberscrapped = | formation = 10 cars per trainset | fleetnumbers = | capacity = | operator = [[JR East]] | depots = Oku | lines = | carbody = Stainless steel/aluminium | carlength = {{convert|20800|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} | width = {{convert|2900|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|4070|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} | floorheight = | doors = | maxspeed = {{cvt|110|km/h}} | weight = | acceleration = {{Convert|1.5|km/h/s|abbr=on}} | deceleration = {{Convert|3.6|km/h/s|abbr=on}} | traction = [[Variable frequency drive|VVVF]] ([[Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor|IGBT]]) | traction motors = | poweroutput = | transmission = | aux = | powersupply = | hvac = | electricsystem = | collectionmethod = PS37C pantographs | bogies = | brakes = | safety = {{hlist|ATC|ATS-P|ATS-P<small>S</small>|ATS-D<small>N</small>}} | coupling = | multipleworking = | gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}} }}
The {{Nihongo|'''E001 series'''|E001形}}, branded {{Nihongo|'''''Train Suite Shiki-shima'''''|TRAIN SUITE 四季島|Toran Suīto Shikishima|{{IPA|ja|toɾaɰ̃sɯiꜜːto ɕi̥kiɕima|pron}}, {{IPA|fr|tʁɛ̃ sɥit}}}} is a hybrid electric/diesel deluxe sleeping-car [[Joyful Train|excursion train]] operated by the [[East Japan Railway Company]] (JR East) since 1 May 2017.<ref name="tetsudo20160510">{{cite web |url= http://tetsudo-shimbun.com/headline/entry-716.html |script-title=ja: 豪華寝台列車「トランスイート四季島」2017年5月1日デビューへ 料金も発表 |trans-title=Luxury sleeping car train "Train Suite Shiki-shima" to debut on 1 May 2017 - fares also announced|date= 10 May 2016|publisher= Tetsudo Shimbun|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 10 May 2016}}</ref> The Train Suite Shiki-shima is one of the world's most exclusive and expensive trains.<ref>{{Cite web|title=TrainReview|url=https://trainreview.com/train/shiki-shima|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612121340/https://trainreview.com/train/shiki-shima|url-status=usurped|archive-date=12 June 2021|access-date=2020-08-13|website=trainreview.com}}</ref>
==Design== The train uses an electric/diesel hybrid propulsion system, enabling the train to operate as an electric multiple unit under overhead electric wires or use two diesel generators in the end cars to power the train's traction motors on non-electrified routes.<ref name="mynavi20130605"/>
Cars 1 to 4 and 8 to 10 were built by [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]] in Kobe, while the three bilevel cars 5 to 7 were built by [[J-TREC]] in Yokohama.<ref name="railfan667">{{cite magazine|script-title=ja: TRAIN SUITE 四季島|trans-title=Train Suite Shiki-shima|magazine = [[Japan Railfan Magazine]] |volume = 56|issue = 667 |pages = 58–67 |publisher = Koyusha Co., Ltd. |location = Japan |language = ja |date = November 2016}}</ref> The Kawasaki-built cars have aluminium bodies, while the three J-TREC-built cars have stainless steel bodies.<ref name="trafficnews20160828">{{cite web |url= http://trafficnews.jp/post/56577/4/ |script-title=ja: 謎の枠、表記… 少しずつベール脱ぐ東西の新クルーズ列車、見えてきた「こだわり」|trans-title=Mysterious boxes and symbols... New East/West cruise trains gradually unveiled |first= Kaoru |last= Iharu |date= 28 August 2016|work= Traffic News|publisher= Mediavague Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160928022143/http://trafficnews.jp/post/56577/4/|archive-date= 28 September 2016|url-status=live |access-date= 28 September 2016}}</ref>
The train styling and interior decoration of the train was overseen by industrial designer [[Ken Okuyama]], and is advertised as using only the best quality materials and exemplifying traditional Japanese craftsmanship.<ref name="mynavi20140603"/><ref name="BBC-02-05-17"/> Its overall design is reminiscent of the [[251 series]], also used by JR East.
==Train formation== The ten-coach train consists of six [[sleeping car]]s, a [[lounge car]], a [[dining car]], and [[observation car]]s at either end of the train.<ref name="mynavi20140603"/> Five of the sleeping cars each have three private suite rooms, while one car (car 7) has two deluxe suites - a split-level "[[Maisonette (apartment)|maisonette]]" type and a single-level "flat" type.<ref name="mynavi20140603"/> The train formation is as shown below, formed of six motored ("M") cars and four non-powered trailer ("T") cars, and car 1 at the southern end.<ref name="railfan667"/> All suites have a shower and toilet. The two deluxe suites also each have a bathtub.<ref name="jreast20140603">{{cite web |url= http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2014/20140603.pdf |script-title=ja: クルーズトレインの列車デザインについて |trans-title=Details of cruise train |date= 3 June 2014|work= News release|publisher= East Japan Railway Company|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 19 February 2015}}</ref> One suite in car 4 is [[universal access]].<ref name="railfan667"/> The entire train accommodates only 34 passengers.<ref name="BBC-02-05-17"/>
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Car No. !! 1 !! 2 !! 3 !! 4 !! 5 !! 6 !! 7 !! 8 !! 9 !! 10 |- ! Designation | colspan="3" | M || colspan="4" | T || colspan="3" | M |- ! Numbering | E001-1 || E001-2 || E001-3 || E001-4 || E001-5 || E001-6 || E001-7 || E001-8 || E001-9 || E001-10 |- ! Car type | Observation car || colspan="3" | Sleeping car || Lounge || Dining car || colspan="3" | Sleeping car || Observation car |- ! Weight (t) | 64.1 || 55.4 || 51.3 || 49.5 || 44.6 || 50.1 || 50.5 || 51.8 || 55.4 || 63.9 |- ! Capacity | colspan="4" | 6 || colspan="2" | 18 || 4 || colspan="3" | 6 |- ! Facilities | Diesel generator || colspan="3" | 3 suites || Smoking Room<ref>{{Citation |title=32hrs on Ultra Luxury Sleeper Train in Japan, Shiki-Shima ($4,000 Suites for 1 night) | date=2 November 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kdbIgTeoeY |access-date=2024-01-18 |language=en}}</ref>|| || 2 deluxe suites || colspan="2" | 3 suites || Diesel generator |- ! Manufacturer | colspan="4" | Kawasaki HI || colspan="3" | J-TREC || colspan="3" | Kawasaki HI |} * Cars 2, 3, 8 and 9 are each fitted with a single-arm [[Pantograph (rail)|pantograph]].
<gallery> File:E001-3 Shin-Tsurumi 20160907.jpg|E001-3 in September 2016 File:E001-4 Shin-Tsurumi 20160907.jpg|E001-4 in September 2016 File:E001-8 Shin-Tsurumi 20160907.jpg|E001-8 in September 2016 File:E001-9 Shin-Tsurumi 20160907.jpg|E001-9 in September 2016 File:E001-10 Shin-Tsurumi 20160907 (2).jpg|E001-10 in September 2016 </gallery>
==Planned itineraries== The train operates on two-day and four-day circular tours from spring to autumn, and on three-day tours during the winter period.<ref name="railfan2015">{{cite web |url= http://railf.jp/news/2015/12/03/140000.html |script-title=ja:「TRAIN SUITE 四季島」の運行ルートの概要が発表される |trans-title=Train Suite Shiki-shima route outlines published |date= 3 December 2015|work= Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher= Koyusha Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160916042158/http://railf.jp/news/2015/12/03/140000.html|archive-date= 16 September 2016|url-status=live|access-date= 16 September 2016}}</ref> Tickets cost between {{JPYConvert|440000|year=2024|r=0|exact=on|showdate=no}} and {{JPYConvert|1950000|year=2024|r=0|exact=on|showdate=no}}.<ref name="BBC-02-05-17">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-39776889|title=Japan's ultra-luxurious train hits the tracks for its maiden journey|publisher=BBC News|date=2 May 2017|access-date=2 May 2017}}</ref> The Train Suite Shiki-shima operates itineraries that are crafted based on the season of travel to ensure guests experience the best of each location visited.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-13|title=TrainReview's guide to the Train Suite Shiki-shima|url=https://trainreview.com/train/shiki-shima|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612121340/https://trainreview.com/train/shiki-shima|url-status=usurped|archive-date=12 June 2021}}</ref>
===2-day itinerary (spring–autumn)=== ;Day 1: {{STN|Ueno|x}} → {{STN|Enzan|x}} → {{STN|Obasute|x}} (overnight onboard train) ;Day 2: {{STN|Aizu-Wakamatsu|x}} → Ueno
===4-day itinerary (spring–autumn)=== [[File:Atsumi-spa-cherry blossom.JPG|thumb|Atsumi Onsen hot spring resort in spring]] ;Day 1: {{STN|Ueno|x}} → {{STN|Nikko|x}} (overnight onboard train) ;Day 2: {{STN|Hakodate|x}} → {{STN|Datemombetsu|x}} → {{STN|Noboribetsu|x}} (overnight at hotel accommodation) ;Day 3: {{STN|Higashi-Muroran|x}} → {{STN|Tōya|x|Tōyako}} → {{STN|Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto|x}} → {{STN|Aomori|x}} → {{STN|Hirosaki|x}} (overnight onboard train) ;Day 4: {{STN|Tsuruoka|x}} → {{STN|Atsumi Onsen|x}} → {{STN|Niitsu|x}} → {{STN|Higashi-Sanjo|x}} → Ueno
===3-day itinerary (winter)=== [[File:Matsushima famous island.jpg|thumb|Matsushima Bay]] ;Day 1: {{STN|Ueno|x}} → {{STN|Shiroishi|x|Miyagi}} → {{STN|Matsushima|x}} (overnight onboard train) ;Day 2: {{STN|Aomori|x}} → {{STN|Hirosaki|x}} (overnight onboard train) ;Day 3: {{STN|Naruko-Onsen|x}} → Ueno
==History== [[File:Train Suite Shiki-shima 2013 artists impression.jpg|thumb|An initial artist's impression of the train published in June 2013, and later changed]] JR East first announced its plans to build a new luxury cruising train in June 2013, designed by Ken Okuyama, and provisionally scheduled to enter service some time after spring 2016.<ref name="mynavi20130605">{{cite web |url= http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2013/06/05/028/ |script-title=ja: JR東日本のクルーズトレイン、2016年運行開始へ - 新開発「EDC方式」導入 |trans-title=JR East cruise train to enter service in 2016 - Using new EDC system|date= 5 June 2013|work= Mynavi News|publisher= Mynavi Corporation|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 19 February 2015}}</ref> A year later, in June 2014, JR East published more detailed plans for the new train, with a revised exterior design and service entry date scheduled for spring 2017.<ref name="mynavi20140603">{{cite web |url= http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2014/06/03/484/ |script-title=ja: JR東日本、クルーズトレインのデザイン公表 - 運行開始は2017年春頃に変更 |trans-title=JR East cruise train design unveiled - Operation start changed to spring 2017|date= 3 June 2014|work= Mynavi News|publisher= Mynavi Corporation|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 19 February 2015}}</ref> The train's name and logo design were officially announced in October 2014.<ref name="mynavi20141007">{{cite web |url= http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2014/10/07/339/ |script-title=ja: JR東日本のクルーズトレイン、列車名が「トランスイート 四季島」に決まる |trans-title=JR East cruise train name announced: "Train Suite Shiki-shima"|date= 7 October 2014|work= Mynavi News|publisher= Mynavi Corporation|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160804070510/http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2014/10/07/339/|archive-date= 4 August 2016|url-status=live|access-date= 16 September 2016}}</ref> Details of the planned itineraries were published in December 2015.<ref name="railfan2015"/>
The first seven cars (1 to 4 and 8 to 10) of the ten-car trainset were delivered from the [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries]] factory in [[Kobe]] in September 2016.<ref name="mynavi20160906">{{cite web |url= http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2016/09/06/281/ |script-title=ja: JR東日本「トランスイート四季島」神戸を出発、機関車の牽引で東海道本線へ|trans-title=JR East "Train Suite Shiki-shima" leaves Kobe, locomotive-hauled to Tokaido Line|first= Daisuke|last= Ueshin |date= 6 September 2016|work= Mynavi News|publisher= Mynavi Corporation|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160907064722/http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2016/09/06/281/|archive-date= 7 September 2016 |url-status=live |access-date= 7 September 2016}}</ref> Main line test running commenced on 14 September 2016 on the [[Joban Line]] as a seven-car formation.<ref name="rmnews20160915">{{cite web |url= http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2016/09/jr_2198.html|script-title=ja: E001系"四季島" 試運転実施|trans-title=E001 series "Shiki-shima" undergoes test running|date= 15 September 2016|work= RM News |publisher= Neko Publishing Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160915045728/http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2016/09/jr_2198.html|archive-date= 15 September 2016 |url-status=live |access-date= 15 September 2016}}</ref> Cars 5 to 7 were delivered from the [[J-TREC]] factory in Yokohama on 27 September 2016.<ref name="mynavi20160927">{{cite web |url= http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2016/09/27/433/ |script-title=ja: JR東日本「トランスイート四季島」全車両出そろう - 中間車3両を都内へ輸送|trans-title=JR East "Train Suite Shiki-shima" vehicles all completed|first= Daisuke|last= Ueshin |date= 27 September 2016|work= Mynavi News|publisher= Mynavi Corporation|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160927135545/http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2016/09/27/433/|archive-date= 27 September 2016 |url-status=live |access-date= 27 September 2016}}</ref>
The service was launched formally on 1 May 2017. It attracted great interest, with tickets for the inaugural journey made available via a lottery that was reported to have been oversubscribed by a factor of 76. By the time of the launch, tickets were sold out until March 2018.<ref name="BBC-02-05-17"/>
<gallery> File:E001 Shin-Tsurumi 20160907.jpg|The first seven cars on delivery from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in September 2016 File:JRE E001 Train Suite Shikishima test run Tokohuku Main Line 2017-01-14.webm|The full 10-car set on a test run on the [[Tohoku Main Line]] in January 2017 </gallery>
==See also== * [[List of named passenger trains of Japan]] * [[Joyful Train]], the generic name for excursion and charter trains in Japan * ''[[Seven Stars in Kyushu]]'', a luxury cruising train operated in Japan by JR Kyushu * ''[[Twilight Express Mizukaze]]'', a luxury sleeping car excursion train operated by JR West in Japan * ''[[James May: Our Man in Japan]]'', episode two
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==Further reading== * {{cite magazine|last = Hori |first = Yuichi|script-title=ja: E001形の概要|trans-title=Overview of the E001 series |magazine = Railway Journal |volume = 51|issue = 610 |pages = 72–79 |publisher = Tetsudo Journal |location = Japan |language= ja |date = August 2017}}
==External links== {{Commons category|JR East E001}} * {{Official website|http://www.jreast.co.jp/shiki-shima/en}} * [https://www.uniqhotels.com/shiki-shima-train-suite Shiki-Shima photos] * [http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2014/20140603.pdf JR East June 2014 news release] {{in lang|ja}}
{{JR East EMU}}
[[Category:Named passenger trains of Japan]] [[Category:Hybrid multiple units of Japan]] [[Category:Night trains of Japan]] [[Category:East Japan Railway Company]] [[Category:Train-related introductions in 2017]] [[Category:Kawasaki multiple units]] [[Category:J-TREC multiple units]]