THSR 700T

Taiwan's Bureau of High Speed Rail (BOHSR) started to tender THSR as a build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme in October 1996. The two competitors were the Taiwan High Speed Rail Consortium (THSRC) and the Chunghwa High Speed Rail Consortium (CHSRC). THSRC's bid was based on the high-speed technology platform of Eurotrain, a joint venture of GEC-Alsthom, the main maker of the French TGV, and Siemens, the main maker of the German ICE. CHSRC's bid was based on Japanese Shinkansen technology supplied by Taiwan Shinkansen Consortium (TSC), a joint venture of Japanese companies.{{cite web |url=http://taiwanjournal.nat.gov.tw/site/tj/ct.asp?xItem=15711&CtNode=122 |title=1997--THE YEAR THAT WAS--1997 |date=1997-10-03 |publisher=Taiwan Journal |access-date=2010-10-09 }}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} THSRC was named preferred bidder in September 1997, then, after being reconstituted as the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC),{{cite web |url=http://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/about/ab_stock.asp |title=Stock Information |publisher=THSRC |access-date=2010-10-06}} it signed the BOT agreement with BOHSR on July 23, 1998.{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/taiwan-hsr-deal-signed.html |title=Taiwan HSR deal signed |date=1998-09-01 |publisher=Railway Gazette International |access-date=2010-10-09 |archive-date=2011-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615164017/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/taiwan-hsr-deal-signed.html |url-status=dead }} Following an offer from the Japanese government to provide cheap loans to THSRC if it switches to Shinkansen technology,{{cite journal |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WDP/is_/ai_54962246?tag=untagged |title=Rays of hope for Shinkansen bullet train in Taiwan? |date=1999-06-07 |journal=Asian Economic News |access-date=2009-01-28}} in spite of an earlier agreement with Eurotrain, THSRC decided to re-tender the core systems technology contract June 1999.{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/eurotrain-fights-back-in-taiwan-tussle.html |title=Eurotrain fights back in Taiwan tussle |date=2000-02-01 |publisher=Railway Gazette International |access-date=2010-10-09 |archive-date=2011-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615164351/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/eurotrain-fights-back-in-taiwan-tussle.html |url-status=dead }} THSRC announced on December 28, 1999, that it would negotiate a final contract with TSC.{{cite web |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/1999/12/29/0000017470 |title=Japanese win bullet train deal |date=1999-12-29 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=2009-01-28}} The contract, which included the supply of rolling stock, was signed on December 12, 2000.{{cite web |url=http://nexi.go.jp/service/sv_m-tokusyu/sv_m_tokusyu_0305b.html |script-title=ja:台湾高速鉄道プロジェクト／日本連合受注経緯 |language=ja |date=May 2003 |publisher=Nippon Export and Investment Insurance |access-date=2010-10-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429185002/http://nexi.go.jp/service/sv_m-tokusyu/sv_m_tokusyu_0305b.html |archive-date=2008-04-29 }} The controversial{{cite web |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2000/01/30/0000022103 |title=Editorial: THSRC agreement unprincipled |date=2000-01-30 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=2010-10-03}} award was challenged by Eurotrain in courts without success,{{cite web |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2000/06/17/0000040382 |title=Eurotrain appeal rejected, might go international |date=2000-06-17 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=2009-01-28}} but a later lawsuit for payment of damages was successful.{{cite web |url=http://www.analysisgroup.com/cases.aspx?id=212 |title=Eurotrain Consortium v. Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation |publisher=Analysis Group |access-date=2010-09-29 |archive-date=2011-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707140227/http://www.analysisgroup.com/cases.aspx?id=212 |url-status=dead }}

While TSC's original offer in CHSRC's 1997 bid for the BOT franchise was based on the 500 Series Shinkansen, its bid for THSRC's 1999 tender was based on the newer 700 Series Shinkansen. THSRC maintained its European specifications,{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BizTrend%3A+Taiwan+bullet+train+project+not+on+right+track.-a0126560783 |title=BizTrend: Taiwan bullet train project not on right track. |date=2004-12-22 |publisher=Kyodo News |access-date=2010-10-04}} so the trains had to be designed for and commissioned according to European specifications.{{cite web |url=http://www.uic.org/apps/presentation/ishizuka.pdf |title=Shinkansen Technology Exportation |date=2008-03-18 |publisher=UIC |access-date=2010-11-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007123214/http://www.uic.org/apps/presentation/ishizuka.pdf |archive-date=2011-10-07}}

On January 30, 2004, a roll-out ceremony was conducted at Kawasaki Heavy Industries' Hyogo Works.{{cite web |url=http://www.khi.co.jp/english/news/detail/ba0401_01.html |title=New High Speed 700T for Taiwan Unveiled at Rollout Ceremony |publisher=Kawasaki Heavy Industries |date=2004-01-30 |access-date=2010-11-28}} The first train was shipped to Taiwan in May 2004.{{cite web |url=http://www.khi.co.jp/english/news/detail/ba0405-3.html |title=First Shipment of Model 700T Train for Taiwan High Speed Rail |publisher=Kawasaki Heavy Industries |date=2004-05-19 |access-date=2010-11-28}} Running tests started on the THSR high speed line on January 27, 2005, after four months of delays, on the Tainan–Kaohsiung section.{{cite web |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2005/01/28/2003221218 |title=Despite delays, high-speed rail begins test runs |date=2005-01-28 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=2010-10-03}} During the tests, a national speed record of {{convert|315|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} was achieved on October 30, 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2005/11/07/2003279087 |title=Premier backs bullet train project during test ride |date=2005-11-07 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=2010-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808021122/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2005/11/07/2003279087 |archive-date=2020-08-08}} All 30 trains were delivered to Taiwan by 2006. Commercial operation of the 700T began on January 5, 2007, at a maximum operating speed of {{convert|300|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2007/01/06/2003343562 |title=High speed rail commences operations |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120072607/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2007/01/06/2003343562 |date=2007-01-06 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=2010-09-28 |archive-date=2023-11-20}}

In November 2008 THSRC announced that it was considering ordering an additional six to twelve trains from the Japanese makers for service starting in 2011, in order to cope with increased demand that was expected by that time.{{cite web |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/11/22/2003429230 |title=THSRC to increase runs, buy more new cars: Ou Chin-der |date=2008-11-22 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=2009-01-17}} In May 2012, an order was placed with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (structural and mechanical parts) and Toshiba (electrical and electromechanical parts) for four 12 car trains at an estimated cost of 19 billion Japanese yen.{{citation| url =http://www.steelguru.com/international_news/Kawasaki_Heavy_and_Toshiba_to_supply_48_bullet_train_cars_to_Taiwan/265577.html| title = Kawasaki Heavy and Toshiba to supply 48 bullet train cars to Taiwan| date = 26 May 2012| work = www.steelguru.com| access-date = 29 May 2012| archive-date = 20 July 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120720045951/http://www.steelguru.com/international_news/Kawasaki_Heavy_and_Toshiba_to_supply_48_bullet_train_cars_to_Taiwan/265577.html| url-status = dead}} The trains were delivered between December 2012 and 2015, with options for extra sets.{{citation| url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/taiwan-high-speed-rail-corp-orders-more-trains/archiv/2012/05.html| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130201062234/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/taiwan-high-speed-rail-corp-orders-more-trains/archiv/2012/05.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = February 1, 2013| title = Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp orders more trains| date = 28 May 2012| work = www.railwaygazette.com}}

The THSR 700T series is based on the 700 Series Shinkansen operated by JR Central and JR West on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and San'yō Shinkansen in Japan. However, more powerful motors and eddy current brakes on trailers provide for a higher top speed. Also for {{convert|300|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} operation, a number of features were derived from the 500 Series Shinkansen, such as the bogies, and the T-shaped and aerodynamically optimised pantographs for reduced noise emission{{cite web |url=http://www.shs.edu.tw/works/essay/2008/03/2008033122260867.pdf |title=高速的化身──淺探台灣高鐵 700T 型列車 |language=zh |year=2008 |publisher=中學生網站 |access-date=2010-12-05 |archive-date=2010-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011190223/http://www.shs.edu.tw/works/essay/2008/03/2008033122260867.pdf |url-status=dead }} atop cars 4 and 9. The D-ATC (Digital Automatic Train Control) system was in turn derived from that of the 800 Series Shinkansen. Like the 700 Series Shinkansen, a 700T trainset is made of 4-car sub-sets, each with three motor cars and one trailer, albeit a full train is a 12-car set, rather than a 16-car, or 8-car set.

Due to the European safety requirements adapted by THSRC, the trains were equipped with a number of additional safety features compared to Shinkansen trains in Japan. The ATC system was augmented with cruise control and station stopping control and was also made suitable for bi-directional operation, and there is a driver vigilance device. Bogies were fitted with an instability detection system, and pantographs with a system that automatically lowers the rear pantograph if it detects a failure of the leading pantograph. The trains were built with shock absorbing elements for protection in low-speed collisions and were equipped with a parking brake. For enhanced fire safety, fireproof and smokeproof materials were selected for the interior, which was configured with fire barriers, and the trains were equipped with fire and smoke detectors and a battery supplied emergency ventilation system. Passenger doors can be operated from any car, not just from the driver's cab, and are equipped with an obstacle detection system that can abort the closing of the door. In addition, the train is equipped with emergency escape windows, which can be broken with hammers for use as emergency exits. The pantograph can be operated by remote control.

Additional changes were made to the HVAC systems to account for Taiwan's warmer climates, such as higher strength and wear specifications of certain components, and a more powerful air conditioning system. As with other Shinkansen types, both end cars are trailers and braking power is reduced on the end cars, to avoid slip on powered bogies.

File:THSR 700T Front view.jpg

Rather than using Japanese tunnel specifications, THSR tunnels used European specifications, with diameters larger than those in Japan. The nose of the trains was aerodynamically optimised for the different tunnel cross-section, which allowed for a shorter, {{convert|8|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long nose. The shorter nose, and the lack of a sliding window and an extra door for the driver provided for more space for passengers.

All cars feature single passenger rooms with 2+3 or 2+2 seating, as on the 700 Series Shinkansen. Toilets were installed on odd numbered cars. One end of car 7 features four wheelchair accessible seats, also provide for the fastening of wheelchairs, and there are two foldable wheelchairs. The toilet next to the handicapped area was built to be accessible by wheelchair, with automatic sliding doors, wider space to allow a wheelchair to turn around, and handrails. The train has no restaurant or bar, but was equipped with vending machines, while Business Car passengers also get seat service. Certain cars were equipped with on-board telephones, in anticipation of the construction of a base system.

Image:THSR train 17.jpg|Standard Car interior

Image:Taiwan HighSpeedRail Train Business Class Car.JPG|Business Car interior

Image:Taiwan HighSpeedRail Train Disable-Friendly Seats.JPG|Handicapped seating

The per capita energy consumption of a fully loaded 700T train is 16% of private cars and half of buses, carbon dioxide emissions are 11% and a fourth, respectively.

As of September 2024, the THSR 700T trains ran without a serious accident. During the 2010 Kaohsiung earthquake on March 4, 2010, the wheels of one bogie of a train came off the rails during emergency braking, but there were no injuries and the train arrived at the next station after one hour of repairs.{{cite web |url=http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=95376&CtNode=436 |title=Large earthquake shakes southern Taiwan |date=2010-03-04 |publisher=Taiwan Today |access-date=2011-01-14}}

In November 2010, following complaints when waiting lines formed at the toilets, THSRC changed the gender assignment of the toilets in the 700T trains.{{cite press release |url=http://www.thsrc.com.tw/tc/about/ab_news_detail.asp?type=1&PKey={B547E940-B973-4EAB-8C97-88EFD63E2BAF} |title=高鐵列車「女性專用」廁間全面上路 |language=zh |date=2010-11-22 |publisher=THSRC |access-date=2010-12-09}} In the original configuration, in each car with toilets, there was a men's toilet with urinal and two unisex toilets; one of the latter was reassigned as women's toilet.

A THSR 700T train simulator, known as Railfan: Taiwan High Speed Rail, was developed jointly by Taiwan-based company Actainment and Japanese company Ongakukan in 2007, based on the latter's Train Simulator series.{{cite web |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2007/04/20/2003357492 |title=Sony announces first Taiwanese game for popular PS3 console |date=2007-04-20 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=2010-12-08}} The software was released on the PlayStation 3 system in Asia (Hong Kong, Taiwan, & Singapore) on July 12, 2007,{{cite web |url=http://gnn.gamer.com.tw/9/27159.html |title=《Railfan 台灣高鐵》7 月 12 日發車 體驗 300 公里飆「車」快感 |language=zh |date=2007-07-03 |publisher=Game News Network |access-date=2010-12-08}} and in Japan on November 1, 2007.{{cite press release |url=http://www.ongakukan.info/pdf/PS3_Railfan_thsr.pdf |title=PS3 専用ソフト「Railfan 台湾高鉄」発売のお知らせ |language=ja |date=September 2007 |publisher=Ongakukan |access-date=2010-12-08}}

• List of high speed trains

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Taiwan High Speed 700T trains}}

{{Commons category|Taiwan High Speed 700T coaches}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20141005090600/http://www5.thsrc.com.tw/en/ Official Taiwan High Speed Rail ]

{{Taiwan High Speed Rail navbox}}

{{Shinkansen}}

{{high-speed rail}}

Category:Shinkansen train series

Category:High-speed trains of Taiwan

Category:Hitachi multiple units

Category:25 kV AC multiple units

Category:Train-related introductions in 2007

Category:Passenger trains running at least at 300 km/h in commercial operations

Category:Nippon Sharyo multiple units

Category:Kawasaki multiple units

Category:Electric multiple units of Taiwan