The E1 Series Shinkansen was Japan's first double-deck train designed to crush commuter overcrowding.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: To solve peak-hour congestion on the Tōhoku and Jōetsu lines, Japan introduced the E1 series in 1994. This massive double-deck train, branded as Max, squeezed in 1,235 passengers by utilizing a unique 3+3 seating configuration. It remains a landmark in high-speed rail history for its sheer capacity and unconventional design.

Introduced by the East Japan Railway Company in July 1994, the E1 series was a direct response to the intense demand on Japan's Shinkansen network. Originally intended to be the 600 series, the train was engineered specifically to maximize passenger volume. By adopting a double-deck structure, designers created a high-capacity vessel that could move more commuters than traditional single-deck models. This focus on density was so extreme that it introduced 3+3-abreast seating in lower-class cars, a first for revenue-earning Shinkansen services.

The engineering required to support two levels of passengers necessitated a steel carbody, which was heavier than the lightweight aluminium alloys that would eventually dominate the industry. While the E1 series and its successor, the E4 series, were marketed under the Max brand—an acronym for Multi-Amenity eXpress—the double-deck era was ultimately short-lived. As technology advanced, operators shifted toward lighter, single-deck trains capable of reaching speeds up to 320 kilometres per hour, significantly faster than the E1's 240 kilometres per hour limit. These newer designs allowed for shorter travel times and higher service frequencies, rendering the massive double-deckers obsolete.

The fleet of six 12-car trainsets, built by Hitachi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, served various routes including the Max Tanigawa and Max Toki. Over their nearly two-decade lifespan, the trains underwent significant changes, including a major refurbishment between 2003 and 2006 that updated their interiors and replaced their original grey-and-green livery with a white, blue, and pink scheme. By 28 September 2012, the E1 series was officially withdrawn from regular service. Today, a single car from set M4 is preserved at the Railway Museum in Saitama, serving as a physical reminder of a time when the solution to rail congestion was simply to build upward.

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