Riding the world's first hybrid train in Japan

Vacationing in Japan this week I accidentally rode on the world's first diesel-electric hybrid train in commercial service: The Kiha E200 running on the East Japan Railway's Koumi Line. Aside from being a new train, introduced in 2007, it seemed like any other, but the photographers camped out for a shot along the mountainous route told otherwise.

JR East's Kiha E200 hybrid train

(Credit: Sinobyte)

The train is a working prototype in use since July 2007 with the aim of gathering data for eventual mass production. Like a hybrid car, the diesel-powered engine is used during acceleration and the electric motor kicks in to maintain speed while collecting energy during braking.

As you can see in this YouTube video, the ride is smooth and quiet, and each train also includes a data screen near the bathrooms (that I didn't notice, since I'd gone at the station). The Koumi Line, according to the video caption (and Wikipedia Japan), is Japan's highest altitude train line at 1,375 meters, and it has spectacular views of the southern mountain range on the main Japanese island of Honshu, including Mt. Fuji. Developing highly efficient train transport will turn green mass transit even greener. Let's hope the test runs work out and other train companies get on board. Now, for the globally mobile, can I get a hybrid jumbo jet over here?

[Voodoo101]

This is disturbing. Diesel-electric trains are no news.....at least not for 80 or so years. [http://Prime movers turning a generator or alternator to power traction motors is the way diesel locomotives have worked since the original Alco-GE-IR boxcabs early last century. Diesel-Hydraulic or diesel mechanical locos are a little more scarce and really less practical.|http://Prime movers turning a generator or alternator to power traction motors is the way diesel locomotives have worked since the original Alco-GE-IR boxcabs early last century. Diesel-Hydraulic or diesel mechanical locos are a little more scarce and really less practical.] The battery part is interesting, though. Given a few more years we'll have batteries throwing enough amperage and holding a charge long enough to be really useful.

[private user 2]

Even the battery part isn't new. See http://www.railindustry.com/coverage/2002/2002g02a.html .

Short story is Canadian company started building the "Green Goat" (Goat is railroad slang for a yard engine) at least as early as 2002.

[coutch]

HELLO!!!!!

Even a newbee reporter should just do a small fact check...

"Ever heard of a Diesel/electric locomotive"???

Only been in use for oh say 50 YEARS or more... World's first - my asshat!

[akadenforever]

Um, nothing wrong with the reporter's writing. He mentions that this is the world's first diesel-electric HYBRID TRAIN (note emphasis). Of course diesel-electrics have been around for years, and hybrid locomotives have appeared recently (albeit in miniscule numbers). But this is the first application of hybrid technology to a practical, OPERATIONAL passenger train (or more accurately, diesel railcar). And I have actually seen it, living in Japan. Methinks above posters should check their reading comprehension before piling on somebody's writing.