Shinkansen 500 Series / 新幹線500系

Developed by JR West to strengthen the Sanyo Shinkansen’s competitiveness against air travel, the 500 series emerged from the WIN350 development programme, which targeted operation at 350 km/h. The production train was designed for 320 km/h, while commercial operation was limited to 300 km/h. The sixteen-car W formation entered Nozomi service in 1997. All 16 cars were motorised, with the W1 set producing 18,240 kW—the highest total rated power of any production Shinkansen trainset. Its long nose and streamlined body reduced aerodynamic noise during high-speed operation. W formations remained in Nozomi service until 2010. Eight-car V formations entered Kodama service in 2008, with a service speed of 285 km/h. The mod includes both formations, with Standard Class interiors and Green Class accommodation in the W formation. Interior fittings include luggage racks, lighting and a modelled driver's cab. Passenger doors, windscreen wipers and directional head and tail lights are animated. Exterior displays show the assigned line name and next stop, with fixed reservation markings for each car. Traction, braking and running audio use Nen-Sho-K Railway's sound pack. W formation — 16 cars ※ Top Speed: 320 km/h (design speed) ※ Power: 18,240 kW (W1 specification) ※ Weight: 688 tonnes ※ Available: 1997 ※ End Date: 2010 ※ Capacity: 330 passengers ※ Configuration: 16 motor cars (16M) V formation — 8 cars ※ Top Speed: 305 km/h (design speed) ※ Power: 8,800 kW ※ Weight: 344 tonnes ※ Available: 2008 ※ End Date: 2027 (scheduled retirement) ※ Capacity: 152 passengers ※ Configuration: 6 motor cars and 2 trailer cars (6M2T) Original RailSim2 model: Yhooki. Converted with permission. Sound credit: Nen-Sho-K Railway. Gallery photograph: spaceaero2, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. The photograph shows W7 passing W8 at Shin-Iwakuni Station on 30 November 2008 and is included without alteration. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JRwest_500_nozomi_29_kodama_697_shiniwakuni.jpg License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Unofficial fan-made mod. Not affiliated with or endorsed by JR West. Changelog — 29 October 2026 - Improved Standard and Green Class seat heights and fitted headrest covers. - Closed seat-side gaps and corrected headrest texture clipping. - Reduced unnecessary seat polygons while preserving exterior detail. Changelog — 25 October 2026 - Fixed and validated compatibility with the Real Track Cant mod.