JR East Unveils 360 km/h Bullet Train
JR East unveils 360-kph bullet train, world's fastest
23 June 2005
Kyodo News
East Japan Railway Company's next-generation bullet train, which is hoped to achieve the world's fastest speed of 360km per hour (224 mph) in commercial service on wheels, is unveiled in Rifu town, northern Japan, June 24, 2005. The company aims to put the new train into service in 2011, local media reports.
East Japan Railway Co. on Friday unveiled a new shinkansen bullet train in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture that will operate at a speed of 360 kilometers per hour, possibly the world's fastest.
The two ends of the jade-colored, eight-car test train named Fastech look different. The first car has a rounded end, while the eighth car has a narrow, sharper end.
The train is equipped with a braking mechanism that adjusts air resistance in the event of an earthquake or other emergencies using a half-moon device descending from the roof of the train.
Each car has only one pantograph to reduce noise, down from the two on bullet trains now in operation.
The test runs between the Miyagi capital of Sendai and Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, will be conducted at a maximum speed of 405 kph.
JR East aims to put the new train into service in 2011, when the Tohoku Shinkansen Line will begin service between Hachinohe and Shin-Aomori stations in Aomori Prefecture.
JR East said it also plans to conduct environmental assessment and other studies to develop cars suitable for operating at 360 kph on a commercial basis.
JR East unveils 360-kph bullet train, world's fastest
23 June 2005
Kyodo News
East Japan Railway Company's next-generation bullet train, which is hoped to achieve the world's fastest speed of 360km per hour (224 mph) in commercial service on wheels, is unveiled in Rifu town, northern Japan, June 24, 2005. The company aims to put the new train into service in 2011, local media reports.
East Japan Railway Co. on Friday unveiled a new shinkansen bullet train in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture that will operate at a speed of 360 kilometers per hour, possibly the world's fastest.
The two ends of the jade-colored, eight-car test train named Fastech look different. The first car has a rounded end, while the eighth car has a narrow, sharper end.
The train is equipped with a braking mechanism that adjusts air resistance in the event of an earthquake or other emergencies using a half-moon device descending from the roof of the train.
Each car has only one pantograph to reduce noise, down from the two on bullet trains now in operation.
The test runs between the Miyagi capital of Sendai and Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, will be conducted at a maximum speed of 405 kph.
JR East aims to put the new train into service in 2011, when the Tohoku Shinkansen Line will begin service between Hachinohe and Shin-Aomori stations in Aomori Prefecture.
JR East said it also plans to conduct environmental assessment and other studies to develop cars suitable for operating at 360 kph on a commercial basis.