Shinkansen Series 0
- langemat
- Jun 9
- 4 min read
About the original Shinkansen:
The Shinkansen Series 0 was Japan’s first high-speed train, introduced in 1964 to coincide with the Tokyo Olympics. It revolutionized rail travel, offering speeds of up to 210 km/h (130 mph) initially, later increased to 220 km/h (137 mph). Designed with a sleek, aerodynamic nose, the Series 0 earned the nickname "Bullet Train" and set the standard for future high-speed rail worldwide. It operated primarily on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and later expanded to the San’yō Shinkansen, connecting major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Hakata.
Over its 44 years of service, the Series 0 underwent multiple upgrades, including improved acceleration and braking systems. It was known for its exceptional punctuality and safety, with no fatal accidents recorded during its operation. The train’s interior was designed for comfort, featuring spacious seating and large windows for scenic views. Some later models even included restaurant cars, enhancing the travel experience.
From a technical perspective, the Series 0 was powered by brushed DC motors, each producing 185 kW (248 hp), with a total output of 11,840 kW (15,878 hp) for a 16-car set. It operated on a 25 kV AC, 60 Hz overhead catenary system, using PS 200 pantographs for current collection. Its acceleration was initially 1.0 km/h per second, later improved to 1.2 km/h per second, while its deceleration reached 2.84 km/h per second.
Structurally, the Series 0 had a steel car body, with intermediate cars measuring 25 meters (82 ft 1/4 in) and end cars slightly longer at 25.15 meters (82 ft 6 1/8 in). The train was 3,383 mm (11 ft 1 1/4 in) wide and 4,490 mm (14 ft 8 3/4 in) tall, running on a standard gauge track of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1/2 in). It was available in 4, 6, 12, or 16-car configurations, with a passenger capacity ranging from 368 to 1,340 seats, depending on the formation.
The Series 0 was retired in 2008, marking the end of an era. However, several units have been preserved in museums, including one in the United Kingdom, showcasing its global impact. This pioneering train not only transformed Japan’s transportation system but also inspired high-speed rail development worldwide.
About the MOC:
The original train consisted of up to 16 cars, which would make this model over eight meters long. I assume that this would be too long for most LEGO model railway layouts, not to mention the rather tedious task of building 14 almost identical cars.
That's why I have chosen a six-car version with middle cars that were present in almost every train configuration. Even with this selection, the model already has an impressive length of over three meters. If you want more cars, you can simply build additional first- and second-class cars. Or just reduce the number of cars further by purging the restaurant or observation car.
The CSV-Excel part list in the download is structured according to the individual cars, so you can easily see which parts are needed for each car.
The motor car (one of the front cars) is equipped with two PF train motors and for more traction with four bricks with additional weight. Having the motors in the front car gives you the possibility to reduce the number of cars to a minimum of just the two front cars.
The train is able to pass curves and turnouts down to R72, with very little adjustments even down to R56. The needed parts are already included in the parts list and the instruction shows in detail where exactly the adjustments take place.
To keep its lengths somehow manageable, the six train cars are slightly shorter than they would be on this scale. Even with the shorter cars, the entire train is over three meters long.
The interior of the cars is only hinted at, which works well. If you want, you can place here and there minifigs (only torso, head and hair, no legs). I tried to recreate the driver’s cabin as closely as possible, as the large front windows allow for a good view inside. In the driver’s cab you can place a complete minifig.
The coupling between the cars is realized with the Lego® standard magnet couplers. So, it is easy to rearrange and handle the cars separately.
MOC stats:
Length: 378.2 studs, 3030 mm
Width: 8.4 studs, 67 mm
Height: 15.6 studs, 125 mm
Weight: 6.5 kg
Parts: 7296
I provide a detailed step-by-step building instruction. At the end of it, you find an overview of all needed parts.
Print-ready sticker sheets are available too (in case the model contains stickers). I provide it in the widely used PDF-format in high-resolution for DIY printing and as Adobe Illustrator file (.ai) for printing with professional print shops.
Furthermore, I provide the parts list in .csv and .xml format. This makes it easy to import the parts list on common platforms and create wanted lists or orders.
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage or injury to parts or individuals that may occur while following my instructions.
You undertake all actions at your own risk and responsibility.
Link to the instruction and sticker files:
Link to more pictures of the model:
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