Knorr Bremse will Supply Brake Systems for Shinkansen Trains

Knorr-Bremse has won a contract from Japanese rail operator JR East to supply brake systems for the new E6 generation of high-speed Shinkansen trains.

Under the deal, Knorr-Bremse will supply brake discs, brake callipers and brake pads for the traction bogies on 23 Series E6 high-speed trains that are scheduled to enter service between Tokyo and Akita in early 2013.
Knorr-Bremse, which had previously supplied braking systems for Series E5 trains and four prototype E6 models, said that compared to previous E5 generation, the new E6 trains will feature ultra-compact, weight-optimised brake callipers.

The company said the brake disc and the Isobar sintered brake pad have been developed to offer improved performance under various operational conditions. Knorr-Bremse had previously delivered braking systems for Series E5 trains and four prototype E6 cars.

The new E6 generation of Shinkansen trains will operate between Tokyo and Akita, on the west coast of the main island of Honshu, starting from spring 2013. The E6 series will also be coupled with cars from the older generation of E5 series trains on the stretch between Tokyo and Morioka.

In the first stage, the new E6 series trains will initially run at up to 300 km/h, which is expected to be increased to 320 km/h in Spring 2014.
The company said that the speeds will be reduced on the mini-Shinkansen section of upgraded conventional route between Morioka and Akita.

JR East, which was privatised in 1987, transports about 17 million passengers every day on its rail network, which spans over 7,500km.
Knorr-Bremse’ rail product portfolio also includes door systems, control components, air conditioning systems, windscreen wiper systems and platform doors systems.