The double-deck Shinkansen that once held the world record for high-speed passenger capacity

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

In short: To combat extreme overcrowding on Japan's busiest rail lines, engineers designed the E4 series, a massive double-deck train. Known as the Max, these trains could be coupled to carry over 1,600 passengers at once. Despite their ingenuity, the pursuit of higher speeds eventually rendered these heavy giants obsolete.

Introduced by the East Japan Railway Company in December 1997, the E4 series was the second generation of double-deck Shinkansen trains. Its primary mission was to alleviate congestion on the Tohoku and Joetsu lines. By utilizing a double-deck architecture, the trains maximized interior space, even incorporating high-density 3+3 seating configurations in some cars. When two eight-car sets were joined, they formed a 16-car train capable of transporting 1,634 passengers, a capacity unmatched by any other high-speed rail configuration globally.

Construction of the 26 trainsets occurred between 1997 and 2003, with manufacturing duties shared by Hitachi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. While the E4 series improved upon its predecessor, the E1, by using a lightweight aluminum body rather than steel, the sheer mass of the double-deck design remained a significant constraint. This weight limited the train to a top speed of 240 kilometers per hour. As rail technology advanced, the industry shifted toward lighter, single-deck trains capable of reaching 320 kilometers per hour, which allowed for faster travel times and more frequent service.

The E4 series underwent various operational changes throughout its lifespan. Specific sets were engineered for the steep gradients and varying electrical frequencies of the Nagano Shinkansen. By 2012, the fleet was consolidated onto the Joetsu line, and the trains were gradually phased out. The final regular service concluded on 1 October 2021, marking the end of an era for double-deck high-speed rail in Japan. Today, a piece of this history remains preserved, with an end car from the first set displayed at the Niigata City Niitsu Railway Museum.

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