JR East has decided to operate a modified passenger train, converted for exclusive freight use, between Tokyo and Morioka starting this fall. This plan, revealed through interviews with JR officials, aims to significantly improve transport capacity by converting an entire trainset into a dedicated freight unit.
The trains to be modified are the E3 series vehicles currently used on the Yamagata Shinkansen "Tsubasa." As the newer E8 series trains are gradually replacing the E3 series, one 7-car set of the E3 series will have its seats removed and be equipped with devices to prevent cargo shifting. The train's reduced vibration and high-speed capabilities make it ideal for transporting delicate items such as precision equipment and high-quality fish.
For the time being, the service will be limited to the Tokyo-Morioka route, and the modified trains will run coupled with passenger Shinkansen trains. Since the development of dedicated high-speed freight vehicles will take time, the focus is on enhancing transport capacity by utilizing the modified E3 series.
Additionally, JR East plans to develop specialized vehicles with expanded doors for more efficient loading and unloading in the future.
