:NE Train

The "NE Train" was first delivered from Tokyu Car Corporation in April 2003, configured as the world's first hybrid diesel/battery railcar{{cite magazine | script-title=ja: 世界初のハイブリッド鉄道車両！ 「ＮＥトレイン」 |trans-title=World-first hybrid rail vehicle "NE Train" |magazine=Japan Railfan Magazine | volume = 43 | issue = 506 |page=86 | publisher = Koyusha Co., Ltd.| location = Japan | date = June 2003 }} and classified as KiYa E991-1. The stainless steel bodyshell was derived from the E127-100 series EMU design, although with cabs at both ends instead of one in a married pair, two doors per side instead of three, and no gangways. From 6 May 2003, it was tested on the Nikkō and Karasuyama Lines.{{cite journal | script-title=ja: JR東日本　キヤE991系"NEトレイン"　日光線試運転中 |trans-title=JR East KiYa E991 "NE Train" test running on Nikkō Line | journal = Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō | volume = 32 | issue = 231 |page=72 | date = July 2003 }} Data obtained from these trials was used to develop the KiHa E200 DMU, which entered service on the Koumi Line from July 2007.{{cite book | title =プロトタイプの世界 – Prototype World | publisher = Kotsu Shimbunsha | date = December 2005 | location = Japan | oclc=170056962}} The train used small lithium-ion batteries and high powered cells as would be used in a hybrid automobile.{{cite journal |last1=Yamamoto |first1=Takamitsu |date=February 2017 |title=Trends and Recent Studies on Hybrid Railway Vehicles |journal=Quarterly Report of RTRI |volume=58 |issue=1 |pages=1–5 |doi=10.2219/rtriqr.58.1_1 |doi-access=free }}

File:KiYa E991-1 NE Train Zushi 20030422.jpg|The KiYa E991-1 "NE Train" on delivery in April 2003

File:KiYaE991 NE Train Omiya Works 20040529.JPG|"NE Train" in its first incarnation as diesel/battery hybrid KiYa E991-1 in May 2004

The "NE Train" underwent modifications in 2006 to replace the diesel generator with a hydrogen fuel cell, becoming the world's first fuel-cell/battery hybrid railway vehicle, classified KuMoYa E995-1. The vehicle was fitted with six hydrogen tanks (with total capacity of {{Cvt|270|L|gal|sp=us}}) and lithium-ion batteries with increased storage capacity (19 kWh) compared with the earlier KiYa E991 hybrid version. These powered the train's two {{Convert|95|kW||abbr=on}} traction motors. The railcar was based at Nagano depot, and tested on JR East main lines in the Nagano area during fiscal year 2007 at speeds of up to {{Convert|100|km/h||abbr=on}}.{{cite magazine | script-title=ja: 世界初の燃料電池ハイブリッド車両 クモヤE995形 |trans-title=World-first fuel-cell hybrid rail vehicle KuMoYa E995 |magazine=Japan Railfan Magazine | volume = 48 | issue = 561 | pages =53–55 | publisher = Koyusha Co., Ltd.| location = Japan | date = January 2008 }}

File:JR East E995-1 omiya-20111015.jpg

File:JR East EV-E300-1 V1 ACCUM Demonstration.jpg

The "NE Train" again underwent modifications at Tokyu Car Corporation's factory in Yokohama in 2009 to become a battery electric multiple unit with the addition of a pantograph and storage batteries replacing the earlier fuel cell, and rebranded {{Nihongo|"NE Train Smart Denchi-kun"|NE Train スマート電池くん}}. This railcar has a maximum service speed of {{Convert|100|km/h|mph|0|round=5|abbr=on}} and can operate on battery power alone a distance of up to {{Convert|50|km|0|abbr=on}} away from an overhead power supply.{{cite web |url= http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2009/20091005.pdf|script-title=ja:「蓄電池駆動電車システム」の開発を進めています|trans-title=Development of battery-powered train system|date= 6 October 2009|work= JR East press release|publisher= East Japan Railway Company|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 30 August 2011}}

The railcar was test-run within Ōmiya Works from October 2009, with test running on the Utsunomiya Line under consideration from January 2010.{{cite web |url= http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20091008TDY02306.htm|title= JR East developing battery-powered trains|date= 8 October 2009|work= Daily Yomiuri Online|publisher= Yomiuri Shimbun|location= Japan|access-date= 2 July 2013}}{{dead link|date=June 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-209221490/jr-east-developing-battery.html Alt URL]

The unit was modified in August 2011, with one of the four lithium battery units relocated beneath the passenger seats, increasing available space.{{cite web|url= http://www.shimotsuke.co.jp/news/tochigi/top/news/20110825/596158|script-title= ja:ＪＲが改良版蓄電池車両を公開|trans-title= JR shows off modified battery vehicle|date= 26 August 2011|work= Shimotsuke Original Online News|publisher= Shimotsuke Shimbun|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120319004120/http://www.shimotsuke.co.jp/news/tochigi/top/news/20110825/596158|archive-date= 19 March 2012|access-date= 30 August 2011|url-status= dead}}

In February and March 2012, the programme entered its final phase. Nighttime trial runs were conducted on the non-electrified Karasuyama Line outside operating hours. A recharging facility was built at the line terminus Karasuyama Station. It consists of a rigid overhead conductor bar which recharges the train via its pantograph.{{cite web |url= http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2011/20120204.pdf|script-title=ja:「スマート電池くん」の実用性を確認する試験を実施します|trans-title=Validation testing of "Smart Denchi-kun"|date= 7 February 2012|work= Press release|publisher= East Japan Railway Company|location= Japan|language= ja|access-date= 10 February 2012}} The overhead conductor bar is rated at 1,500 V DC, powered by local electricity grid at 6,600 V AC. A single charge of 10 minutes gives a range of approximately {{Convert|20|km|0|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url= http://mytown.asahi.com/tochigi/news.php?k_id=09000001203060001|script-title= ja:烏山線で充電試験　蓄電池で走る|trans-title= Recharging trials on Karasuyama Line – Running on batteries|date= 6 March 2012|work= The Asahi Shimbun Digital|publisher= The Asahi Shimbun Company|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120310151545/http://mytown.asahi.com/tochigi/news.php?k_id=09000001203060001|archive-date= 10 March 2012|access-date= 7 March 2012|url-status= dead}}

The programme eventually developed into the EV-E301 series, a two-car battery electric multiple unit. The series entered passenger service on the Karasuyama Line and Tohoku Main Line in March 2014.{{cite web|date=6 November 2012|script-title=ja: JR東日本　烏山線に新型蓄電池電車導入|trans-title=JR East to introduce new battery train on Karasuyama Line|url=http://rail.hobidas.com/news/info/article/134417.html|access-date=6 November 2012|work=Tetsudo Hobidas|publisher=Neko Publishing Co., Ltd.|location=Japan|language=ja}}

• Smart BEST, an experimental Japanese battery train built by Kinki Sharyo in 2012

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{{reflist}}

{{Commons category multi|JR East E991|JR East E995}}

• [http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2006_1/20060404.pdf JR East press release announcing "NE Train" fuel-cell hybrid programme (11 April 2006)] {{in lang|ja}}
• [http://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2009/20091005.pdf JR East press release announcing "NE Train" battery railcar programme (6 October 2009)] {{in lang|ja}}

{{JR East EMU}}

Category:East Japan Railway Company

Category:Train-related introductions in 2003

Category:Hybrid multiple units of Japan

Category:Experimental vehicles

Category:Tokyu Car multiple units