Smart BEST

{{Short description|Japanese experimental self-charging battery electric multiple unit train}}

{{Infobox train

| name = Smart BEST

| image = Smart Best Hello Kitty Wakayama-go01.JPG

| imagealt =

| imagesize = 300px

| caption = The Smart BEST train in service in "Hello Kitty" livery, September 2014

| service =

| manufacturer = Kinki Sharyo

| factory = Osaka

| family =

| replaced =

| yearconstruction = 2012

| yearservice =

| refurbishment =

| yearscrapped =

| numberconstruction =

| numberbuilt = 2 vehicles (1 set)

| numberservice =

| numberpreserved =

| numberscrapped =

| formation = 2 cars per trainset

| fleetnumbers =

| capacity = 259 per set

| operator =

| depots =

| lines =

| carbody =

| trainlength =

| carlength = {{Convert|20,000|mm|ftin|abbr=on}}

| width = {{Convert|2,950|mm|ftin|abbr=on}}

| height =

| floorheight = {{Convert|1,120|mm|ftin|abbr=on}}

| doors = 3 pairs per side

| maxspeed = {{Convert|100|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}

| weight =

| acceleration = {{cvt|2.3|km/h/s}}

| deceleration = {{cvt|3.1|km/h/s}}

| traction =

| poweroutput =

| transmission =

| aux =

| powersupply =

| hvac =

| electricsystem = Battery

| collectionmethod =

| bogies = KD318 (motored), KD318A (trailer)

| brakes =

| safety =

| coupling =

| multipleworking =

| gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm}}

}}

The Smart BEST is an experimental Japanese two-car self-charging battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) train developed and manufactured by Kinki Sharyo in 2012 to demonstrate the feasibility of battery train technology for use on non-electrified rural lines.{{cite magazine| title = 近畿車輛バッテリー電車"Smart BEST"を開発|trans-title=Kinki Sharyo develops "Smart BEST" battery train|magazine=Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine | volume = 41| issue = 344|pages=70–71| publisher = Kōtsū Shimbun | location = Japan |language= Japanese| date = December 2012}} The name is an acronym for "Battery Engine Synergy Train". The train has been tested on JR West and JR Shikoku lines since late 2012.

Overview

The Smart BEST train operates using GS Yuasa LIM30H-8A lithium-ion storage battery modules{{cite web |url= http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/NEWS/20121221/257671/|title= GSユアサのLiイオン2次電池、近畿車輛のバッテリ電車「Smart BEST」に採用|trans-title=GS Yuasa Li-ion batteries to be used in Kinki Sharyo "Smart BEST" battery train|date= 21 December 2012|work= Tech On|publisher= Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. |location= Japan|language= Japanese|archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate= 6 December 2013}} recharged in operation by a small-capacity "e-Brid Plus" diesel engine. The train normally operates at a maximum speed of {{Convert|70|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, but is capable of {{Convert|100|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} over short distances.

Formation

The two-car train is formed as shown below, with one motored (M) car and one non-powered trailer (T) car.{{cite magazine| title = 近畿車輛が開発した非電化路線用バッテリ電車「Smart BEST」|trans-title="Smart BEST" battery EMU developed by Kinki Sharyo for non-electrified lines|magazine=Japan Railfan Magazine | volume = 53| issue = 621|pages=62–63| publisher = Koyusha Co., Ltd.| location = Japan | language = Japanese| date = January 2013}}

class="wikitable" ! Designation \| Mc	Tc
Numbering \| DGBC2A-1 \|\| DGBC2B-1
Passenger capacity (total/seated) \| 129/52 \|\| 130/51

class="wikitable"

! Designation

| Mc

Numbering

| DGBC2A-1 || DGBC2B-1

Passenger capacity (total/seated)

| 129/52 || 130/51

Interior

Seating accommodation is arranged as 2+2 abreast transverse seating with seat backs that flip over to face the direction of travel.

History

File:JNR DE-10 at Tokuan (2).jpg

The "Smart BEST" train was unveiled to the media in October 2012 at the Kinki Sharyo factory in Osaka, before being moved to Yonago, Tottori for test running on the Sanin Main Line, Sakai Line, and Hakubi Line.{{cite web |url= http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2012/10/jrjrsmart_best.html|title= "Smart BEST" 甲種輸送|trans-title="Smart BEST" moved|date= 24 October 2012|work= RM News|publisher= Neko Publishing|location= Japan|language= Japanese|archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate= 7 January 2013}}{{cite web |url= http://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/2012/10/page_2766.html|script-title=ja:近畿車輛株式会社が開発した自己充電型バッテリー車両の走行試験について|trans-title=Test running of battery train developed by Kinki Sharyo|date= 30 October 2012|work= Press release|publisher= West Japan Railway Company|location= Japan|language= Japanese|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20130606124539/http://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/2012/10/page_2766.html|archivedate= 6 June 2013|accessdate= 20 September 2014}} It was returned to Kinki Sharyo in December 2012.{{cite web |url= http://rail.hobidas.com/rmn/archives/2012/12/jrjrsmart_best_1.html|title= "Smart BEST" 甲種輸送で返却される|trans-title="Smart BEST" returned|date= 13 December 2012|work= RM News|publisher= Neko Publishing|location= Japan|language= Japanese|archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate= 7 January 2013}} In December 2013, the train was moved to Takamatsu, Kagawa, and started test running on a number of lines in Shikoku, including the Kōtoku Line, Naruto Line, and Tokushima Line.{{cite web |url= http://railf.jp/news/2013/12/06/173000.html|title= 「Smart BEST」が高徳線で試運転|trans-title="Smart BEST" test run on Kotoku Line|date= 6 December 2013|work= Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher= Koyusha Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= Japanese|archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate= 6 December 2013}}

From September until December 2014, the train was used in revenue service on promotional "Hello Kitty" services in the Wakayama area.{{cite web |url= http://railf.jp/news/2014/09/16/140000.html|script-title=ja:快速“ハローキティ和歌山号”運転開始|trans-title=Rapid "Hello Kitty Wakayama" service starts|date= 16 September 2014|work= Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher= Koyusha Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= Japanese|archiveurl= |archivedate= |accessdate= 16 September 2014}}