JAPAN | High Speed Rail

[quashlo]

Dbl post

[quashlo]

Some details on the extensions from the MLIT press release.
The Sapporo extension is particularly interesting as it’s the longest of the three extensions, and over 75% will be in tunnels, with a 3.5% maximum grade.

Hokkaidō Shinkansen (Shin-Hakodate – Sapporo)



New stations
Shin-Hakodate (provisional name): Existing zairaisen station / Hokuto City, Hokkaidō
Shin-Yakumo (provisional name): New station / Yakumo Town, Futami District, Hokkaidō
Oshamanbe: Existing zairaisen station / Oshamanbe Town, Yamakoshi District, Hokkaidō
Kutchan: Existing zairaisen station / Kutchan Town, Abuta District, Hokkaidō
Shin-Otaru (provisional name): New station / Otaru City, Hokkaidō
Sapporo: Existing zairaisen station / Sapporo City, Hokkaidō

Length
Approx. 211.5 km

Track construction
Earth / embankment: Approx. 15.3 km (Approx. 7%)
Bridge: Approx. 5.6 km (Approx. 3%)
Viaduct: Approx. 30.6 km (Approx. 14%)
Tunnel: Approx. 160.2 km (Approx. 76%)

Main tunnels:
Oshima Tunnel (Approx. 26.5 km)
Shiribeshi Tunnel (Approx. 18.0 km)
Teine Tunnel (Approx. 18.8 km)

Main bridges:
Yūrappu River Bridge (245 m)
Shiribetsu River Bridge (340 m)
Minami-Kutosan River Bridge (210 m)

Track standard
Minimum curve radius: 4,000 m
Maximum gradient: 3.5%

Construction cost
Approx. ¥1,238.6 billion

Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kanazawa – Tsuruga)

New stations
Kanazawa: Existing zairaisen station / Kanazawa City, Ishikawa
Komatsu: Existing zairaisen station / Komatsu City, Ishikawa
Kaga Onsen: Existing zairaisen station / Kaga City, Ishikawa
Awara Onsen: Existing zairaisen station / Awara City, Fukui
Fukui: Existing zairaisen station / Fukui City, Fukui
Nan’etsu (provisional name): New station / Echizen City, Fukui
Tsuruga: Existing zairaisen station / Tsuruga City, Fukui

Length
Approx. 125.2 km

Track construction
Earth / embankment: Approx. 3.2 km (Approx. 3%)
Bridge: Approx. 16.8 km (Approx. 15%)
Viaduct: Approx. 57.9 km (Approx. 50%)
Tunnel: Approx. 36.5 km (Approx. 32%)

Main tunnels:
Kakibara Tunnel (Approx. 2.5 km)
Fukui No. 2 Tunnel (Approx. 3.4 km)
Shin-Hokuriku Tunnel (Approx. 20.0 km)

Main bridges:
Tedori River Bridge (555 m)
Takeda River No. 2 Bridge (423 m)
Kuzuryū River Bridge (410 m)

Track standard
Minimum curve radius: 4,000 m
Maximum gradient: 2.6%

Construction cost
Approx. ¥896.8 billion



Kyūshū Shinkansen (Takeo Onsen – Nagasaki)

New stations
Takeo Onsen: Existing zairaisen station / Takeo City, Saga
Ureshino Onsen (provisional name): New station / Ureshino City, Saga
Shin-Ōmura (provisional name): New station / Ōmura City, Nagasaki
Isahaya: Existing zairaisen station / Isahaya City, Nagasaki
Nagasaki: Existing zairaisen station / Nagasaki City, Nagasaki

Length
Approx. 66.0 km

Track construction
Earth / embankment: Approx. 5.7 km (Approx. 9%)
Bridge: Approx. 5.8 km (Approx. 9%)
Viaduct: Approx. 14.8 km (Approx. 22%)
Tunnel: Approx. 40.7 km (Approx. 61%)

Main tunnels:
Tawarazaka Tunnel (Approx. 5.5 km)
Kuyama Tunnel (Approx. 5.0 km)
Shin-Nagasaki Tunnel (Approx. 7.5 km)

Main bridges:
Hakamano Overpass (210 m)
Chiwata River Bridge (360 m)
Honmyō River No. 2 Bridge (209 m)

Track standard
Minimum curve radius: 4,000 m
Maximum gradient: 3.0%

Construction cost
Approx. ¥370.6 billion

[gramercy]

~100++ km of tunnels, awesome how they don't even blink at that

[ukiyo]

Yamagata Shinkansen marks 20th anniversary

YAMAGATA (Jiji Press)--The Yamagata Shinkansen train line linking Tokyo and Yamagata marked its 20th anniversary Sunday.

Since East Japan Railway Co. started operating the line in 1992, about 62 million people have traveled on it.

A ceremony was held on a platform at Yamagata Station from about 7 a.m., attended by Yamagata Gov. Mieko Yoshimura and other local officials.

A specially designed Tokyo-bound "Tsubasa" Shinkansen train was operated for the occasion. Railway fans flocked to the station to take photos of the special train.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120702005046.htm

[chornedsnorkack]

So, the current construction schedule seems to be as follows:
2013 - Chuo Shinkansen extended to 43 km
2014 - Hokuriku Shinkansen Nagano-Toyama-Kanazawa opened for service
2015 - Hokkaido Shinkansen Aomori-Hakodate opened for service
2022 - Nagasaki Shinkansen opened
2025 - Hokuriku Shinkansen extension Kanazawa-Fukui-Tsuruga opened
2027 - Chuo Shinkansen Shinagawa-Nagoya opened for service
2035 - Hokkaido Shinkansen extension Hakodate-Sapporo opened
2045 - Chuo Shinkansen extension Nagoya-Osaka opened

Unknown date - Hokuriku Shinkansen extension Tsuruga-Osaka opened.

Correct?

[Momo1435]

That seems about right.


As for the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension to Osaka, I can see them go with an interim solution with a mini Shinkansen or a Gauge Change Train and then aim for a new line from Tsuruga to Maibara in 2045 when when Tokaido Line between Nagoya and Osaka won't be as congested anymore because of the Chuo Line. And then have direct Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Osaka and Nagoya.

Have their been any thoughts on a connection line between the Hokiriku line and the Joetsu line, somewhere between Joetsu - Nagaoka - (Niigata)?

[k.k.jetcar]

Have their been any thoughts on a connection line between the Hokiriku line and the Joetsu line, somewhere between Joetsu - Nagaoka - (Niigata)?

The question is, is there a market for such a line that would justify the expenditure, as it would be a peripheral line rather than a line connecting major population centers. The Joetsu Line itself was considered a line built thanks to plenty of political pork procured by LDP bigwigs from the Niigata region (Tanaka Kakuei, et al). IIRC the financing was different from other shinkansen lines.

[Momo1435]

If a line is too much it could still be a connection if a Gauge Change Train option is chosen for the the extension to Osaka. I can't see those trains running all the way from Osaka to Tokyo via Hokuriku and Nagano Shinkansen.

Then there will be 2 routes on the line.
Tokyo - Kanagawa (with regular trains)
Osaka - Niigata (with GCT trains)

The biggest effect of this option would be an improvement of the services between the coastal cities.

[Woonsocket54]

Originally Posted by chornedsnorkack

2013 - Chuo Shinkansen extended to 43 km

what section of maglev will be in revenue service over 43 km?

[Sopomon]

Originally Posted by Woonsocket54

what section of maglev will be in revenue service over 43 km?

It's just an extension of the test track. In order to facilitate longer high-speed runs and possibly higher speed testing.

[Woonsocket54]

What I meant to ask is: Are paying passengers going to be riding the maglev in 2013?

[Momo1435]

There won't be any regular scheduled service for regular paying commuters or travellers. It's still just an extended test track, it doesn't really connect 2 towns that could generate a steady traffic flow.

But there will be paid "joy rides" for people that want to experience a ride on the maglev. So it will just be like a tourist attraction until the rest of the line between Tokyo and Nagoya is completed.

[hmmwv]

It'll be interesting to see how much the tickets going to be, cuz I definitely want to try it out.

[khoojyh]

Originally Posted by quashlo

Japanese government markets Shinkansen for Malaysia – Singapore HSR
http://www.nikkei.com/news/category/...3E2E2E2;av=ALL



This is for the proposed 400 km route that would link Kuala Lumpur and Singapore in about 1.5 hrs. The Japanese government will perform its own independent feasibility analysis of the project this fiscal year to assist Japanese firms looking to participate, and will consider the possibility of providing financing through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation should JR Central or JR East win orders for the project.

Good news but it won't be happen in so soon....

[quashlo]

JR Central considers providing technical support to Taiwan HSR
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/new...0020002-n1.htm

　ＪＲ東海が、独自の運行管理システムや車両の保守管理などついて、台湾高速鉄道への支援を検討していることが４日分かった。台湾高速鉄道は、海外の高速鉄道として初めて日本の新幹線を導入し、ＪＲ東海が技術者を派遣するなど協力している。

　ＪＲ東海は、列車の運行管理や制御機器の監視を総合的に行う新幹線運行管理システム「コムトラック」などのノウハウがある。台湾当局が、高速鉄道の安全で正確な運行を目指し、国土交通省を通じてＪＲ東海側に支援要請してきたという。

　台湾高速鉄道は平成１９年１月から営業を開始した。今年５月には、東海道・山陽新幹線で運行されている「７００系新幹線」をベースにした４８両の発注を川崎重工業と東芝に決め、２７年には台北－南港駅を結ぶ５・７キロの路線延長と新駅開業を予定している。

　高速鉄道建設は、ブラジルやインド、タイなどが構想段階に入っており、日韓欧が受注競争を展開。官民一体によるインフラ輸出を推進する国土交通省は「台湾新幹線が日本ブランドとして世界にアピールできれば」と期待する。

On 2012.07.04, it was revealed that JR Central is considering providing technical support to Taiwan High Speed Rail concerning train control systems and rolling stock maintenance. Apparently, the request came from the Taiwanese side, which asked for JR Central’s support through the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Not quite sure what the impetus is behind this, and there is no official press release from JR Central yet.

[coth]

Originally Posted by chornedsnorkack

Nozomi trains now take 1:34 for the trip Shinagawa-Nagoya, with 1 stop. How long have they been operating at 270 km/h?

Considering the track geometry of Tokaido Shinkansen, same since 1964, how long shall Tokaido Shinkansen Shinagawa-Nagoya take in 2026?

When shall Tohoku Shinkansen be sped up from 300 km/h to 320 km/h?

1. From 1992, afair.

[quashlo]

Somebody found this recently-made (as of 2012.07.05) webpage for the JR East + Kawasaki consortium looking to bid on the California HSR project:
http://www.jchighspeedrail.com/

There’s a brief PDF brochure here:
http://www.jchighspeedrail.com/pdf/brochure0001.pdf

The following firms are part of the consortium:

• East Japan Railway Company (JR East)
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
• Nippon Sharyō
• Hitachi
• Mitsubishi Corporation
• Sumitomo Corporation

The rolling stock appears to be Kawasaki efSET, drawing from a lot of the R&D efforts in developing the next-generation E5 / E6 for JR East Shinkansen lines.







Specs
Formation: 8-car EMU (6M2T)
Length: 200 m
Width: 3,380 mm
Maximum service speed: 220 mph (350 km/h)
Capacity: 510 pax
Train output: 9.7 MW
Max axle load: Approx. 14 t
Other features: Bogie abnormality detection system, continuous ventilation system, Tier III / ADA compliant

[krnboy1009]

I doubt Japanese would get the call if CAHSR does happen. Thinking more on the line of European companies.

[quashlo]

Japan has already offered to finance half of the project (approx. $20 billion). Considering that, combined with the technical expertise in specific aspects that are relevant to the California project (noise, earthquakes, general operating philosophy), I think they have a decent chance of winning.

[quashlo]

Hokuriku Shinkansen rail walk

On 2012.07.07, members of the public were invited to tour portions of the under-construction Hokuriku Shinkansen viaduct near Shin-Takaoka Station. Some photos:
Source: http://kiha85hida.exblog.jp/





Up the scaffolding to reach the top…



Future Shin-Takaoka Station, a two-track station with side platforms. The rails will be laid about a half-year before the service opens to give them enough time to test everything. All viaduct sections in Takaoka City are supposed to be finished before the end of the fiscal year.



Track on the left is inbound to Tōkyō, track on the right is outbound to Kanazawa.



A bit suprising to see how tall the tracks actually are above the base of the structure.
And no, the picture wasn’t taken at a slant… As Shin-Takaoka Station is only a minor station, there will be trains passing through the station without stopping, hence the cant.



Looking east towards the Shō River.
The soundwalls are fairly high here. Apparently, some of the panels will be acrylic glass to make it easier for passengers to enjoy the view.



Climbing onto the future platforms…



As is typical nowadays, the station will have waist-high platform doors, with plenty of clearance between the doors and the platform edge.