https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC200R70Q3A220C2000000/New Shinkansen 「E8 series」 Public Reveal
JR East revealed the new shinkansen series set to begin operations by spring of 2024.
One key change is that the service's operating speed in the Touhoku shinkansen (Fukushima to Tokyo) will increase 25 km/h to 300 km/h, from the current 275 km/h, the operating limit of the E3 series currently in use.
Other changes include:
- bogie heaters to deal with frost
- security cameras inside the train
- seat power outlets
- more wheelchair accessibility
- more oversized baggage areas
From March 2012, some Tsubasa services run coupled with Yamabiko services formed of E2 series trains, instead of E4 series sets, allowing the maximum speed to be raised from 240 km/h to 275 km/h on the Touhoku Shinkansen tracks, and shaving up to 6 minutes off journey times between Tokyo and Shinjō. Disregarding speed limits, acceleration and so on, by the same metrics this 25 km/h speed increase should further save 4 minutes and a bit from the journey.
