The E3 series (E3系?) is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built for Komachi services which commenced on 3 June 1997, coinciding with opening of the new Akita Shinkansen 'mini-shinkansen' line, a regular 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow-gauge line between Morioka and Akita upgraded to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge. Later versions of the E3 series were also introduced for use on Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa services. Both 'mini-shinkansen' lines join the Tōhoku Shinkansen, providing services south to Tokyo.
Like the 400 Series Shinkansen, these trains are built to a smaller loading gauge than mainline Shinkansen trains—the width and length of each car is reduced to fit on the narrower clearances of the 'mini-shinkansen'.
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