Doctor Yellow

Doctor Yellow of the 923 series of the JR Central

Doctor Yellow ( jap. ドクターイエロー , Dokutā Iero ) is the nickname for inspection trains Shinkansen Series 921 , 922 , 923 , 925 and E926 , the state of the routes of the Japanese Shinkansen - high-speed trains monitor, as well as the rescue train of the Shinkansen series 941 . The measuring trains are equipped with special devices that can measure the route or the overhead line and thus determine their condition.

The nickname of the trains was due to its function as a measurement and diagnostic vehicle ( Doctor ) and yellow paint ( Yellow ).

The external appearance of the multiple units is very similar to the series vehicles. All inspections are carried out at the maximum permitted speed of the route to be measured, which is, for example, 285 km / h on the Tōkaidō route .

Series of the "Yellow Doctor" trains

Tōkaidō and San'yō Shinkansen

Series 921

The 921 series represents the origin of the Doctor Yellow inspection vehicles. This series was not a stand-alone Shinkansen multiple unit, but individual wagons that were initially pulled by a diesel locomotive whose maximum speed, however, was a maximum of 160 km / h significantly slower than the Shinkansen multiple units. These measuring cars were later added to the Doctor Yellow multiple units of the 922 series.

• 921-1 : Single car, which was developed on the basis of a measuring car for the conventional railway network and was in use from 1962. This 18-meter-long measuring car had a small diesel generator with which the car could drive independently at low speed (e.g. for maneuvering). The maximum speed during tests was 200 km / h. The car was taken out of service in 1980 and then scrapped.
• 921-2 : Single car that was converted from a former Maronefu ( マ ロ ネ フ ) 29-11 sleeping car . At 17.5 meters, the car was a little shorter than the 921-1, but otherwise had the same operational profile. The car was in service from 1964 to 1976.

Series 922

Class 922-10 on an inspection run in 1998. Class 921-1 can be seen as car 5 on the left edge of the picture.

The 922 series are inspection multiple units that have been converted or derived from former Shinkansen prototypes and series vehicles.

• 922-0 : Multiple unit consisting of four cars, which was converted from test train B of the 1000 series . It was in service from 1964 to 1976. The multiple unit consisted of a car for checking signals and communication technology, two cars for checking the overhead lines and a material car.
• 922-10 : Newly developed multiple unit consisting of seven cars, derived from the 0 series . Series 922-10 was built by Hitachi Transportation Systems and operated by JR Central between 1974 and 2001 . The car bodies are almost identical to the 0 series, but the interior is of course very different:
  • Car 1: Test of signals and communication systems
  • Car 2: data processing
  • Car 3: power supply (including observation pulpit)
  • Car 4: warehouse, seats for the crew
  • Car 5 (series 921-1): test of the route
  • Car 6: ambulance (including observation cockpit)
  • Car 7: test of the overhead line
• 922-20 : Newly developed multiple unit consisting of seven cars, derived from the class 0 . Class 922-20 was operated by JR West between 1979 and 2005 . The 922-20 series is similar in many ways to the 922-10 series, with a few minor differences:
  • Car 1: Test of signals and communication systems
  • Car 2: data processing, overhead line test
  • Car 3: power supply (including observation pulpit)
  • Car 4: warehouse
  • Car 5 (short car analogue to 921-1): test of the route
  • Car 6: ambulance (including observation cockpit)
  • Car 7: seats for the crew

Series 923

Series 923 during an inspection trip on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen in 2013

The 923 series was derived from the 700 series and can be operated at a top speed of up to 270 km / h. Forward cameras were installed on the two end cars to check the route. The trains of the 923 series are made up of seven cars:

• Car 1: Test of route, signals, communication systems
• Car 2: high pressure chamber
• Car 3: power supply, data processing, observation pulpit
• Car 4: test of track, warehouse
• Car 5: multi-purpose car, power supply, observation pulpit, seats for the crew
• Car 6: meeting room, test of electrical systems
• Car 7: test of the overhead line

Two vehicles of the 923 series were produced, which are almost identical and which (as of January 2018) are in active use:

• 923-0 (in service since 2000): multiple unit with seven cars, operated by the JR Central
• 923-3000 (in use since 2005): multiple unit with seven cars, operated by JR West

Series 941

In the Series 941 is a rescue train, the test train from A of the 1000 series was rebuilt. The 941 series was a two-car multiple unit that was in service from 1964 to 1975. The maximum speed was 200 km / h. The train was given a yellow color scheme with a blue stripe below the window. The illuminated tip at the head of the train was replaced by two headlights and both cars were given illuminated number plates. The 941-1 car received workshop equipment, the 941-2 car received 40 seats for the rescue team and a tool shelf.

Tōhoku , Jōetsu , Hokuriku , Yamagata, and Akita Shinkansen

925 series

Series 925/10 in 2002

Measurement trains were also required for the Tōhoku and Jōetsu Shinkansen. The 925 series was therefore converted or derived from the 200 series that was used on these routes. Analogous to the color scheme of the northern Shinkansen routes, the Doctor Yellow trains of the 925 series were given a green stripe instead of the blue stripe of the 921, 922 and 923 series.

Two trains of the class 925 were manufactured, which were decommissioned with the commissioning of the class E926.

• 925/0 (1979 to 2001): A set of seven cars converted from the pre-production vehicle of the 200 series.
• 925/10 (1982 to 2002): A set of seven cars converted from the 962 series .

In the course of the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the power system of both trains was modified in order to be able to operate at both 50 Hz and 60 Hz.

Series E926

East i the JR East in May 2008

• Class E926 multiple unit , which is derived from the E3 series :
  • E926 (in service since 2001): East i set of six cars operated by JR East

fleet

number	model series	Type	Commissioning	Decommissioning	Operational routes	operator
	921-1	Single wagon	1962	1980	Tōkaidō, San'yō	JNR
	922-1	Single wagon	1964	1976	Tōkaidō, San'yō	JNR
	921-31	Single wagon	1979	2001	Tōhoku, Jōetsu, Hokuriku	JNR, JR East
	921-41	Single wagon	1997	2002	Tōhoku, Jōetsu, Hokuriku	JR East
T1	922-0	4-car train	1964	1976	Tōkaidō	JNR
T2	922-10	7-car train	1974	2001	Tōkaidō, San'yō	JNR, JR Central
T3	922-20	7-car train	1979	2005	Tōkaidō, San'yō	JNR, JR West
T4	923-0	7-car train	2000		Tōkaidō, San'yō	JR Central
T5	923-3000	7-car train	2005		Tōkaidō, San'yō	JR Central
S1	925-0	7-car train	1979	2001	Tōhoku, Jōetsu	JR East
S2	925-10	7-car train	1983	2003	Tōhoku, Jōetsu	JR East
S51	E926	6-car train	2001		Tōhoku, Jōetsu, Hokuriku, Yamagata, Akita	JR East
	941	2-car train	1964	1975	Tōkaidō, San'yō	JNR

Web links

Commons : Doctor Yellow  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Series 941 Shinkansen Bullet Train (Doctor Yellow color) - 2 Cars Set - MicroAce A1154. Newhall Station, accessed October 26, 2014 .