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Japan is pushing the limits of rail transport as it begins to test the fastest shinkansen high-speed train in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to 400 km / h.
Called Alfa-X, the commissioning of the train is scheduled for 2030. The JR East rail company plans to operate at 360 km / h. That would be 10 km / h faster than the Chinese Fuxing Hao, which connects Beijing and Shanghai and has the same top speed.
To cope with wind resistance when entering tunnels, the first car of the Alfa-X will mainly be an elegant nose, measuring 22 meters. With only three windows, there hardly seems to be any space for passengers in the front.
BLOOMBERG / TIC TOC
The first car of the Alfa-X will be mainly an elegant nose, measuring 22 meters.
Painted in metallic silver with green stripes, the 10-car high-speed train begins testing Friday between the cities of Aomori and Sendai, over a three-year period.
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Japanese high-speed trains, which debuted in the same year as the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, have become a symbol of the priority given to the country's efficiency and reliability.
TOMOHIRO OHSUMI / GETTY
Trains have become a symbol of the country's focus on efficiency and reliability.
Shinkansens are rarely late, even if they leave Tokyo Station every few minutes for Osaka, Kyoto and other destinations in the archipelago, making it a viable alternative to air travel. The Alfa-X is an integral part of a plan to provide faster services to Sapporo, the largest city on the northernmost island of Hokkaido.
"The development of the next-generation shinkansen is based on the key concepts of superior performance, high comfort, superior operating environment and innovative maintenance," East Japan Railway Co. said in a statement. better known as JR East.
Although Alfa-X currently holds the title of the fastest train in the world, it may already be dethroned at the time of its commissioning. Indeed, a new maglev line is under construction between Tokyo and Nagoya and its operations will begin in 2027. Traversing mainly deep tunnels, the magnetic levitation train will run at a maximum speed of 505 km / h, thus reducing the time between two cities 40 minutes away. the current 110 minutes.
TOMOHIRO OHSUMI / GETTY
Japanese high-speed trains debuted the same year as the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Five things to know about Alfa-X
– Stopping is just as important. The new bale train will have air brakes on the roof and will also use magnetic plates near the rails to slow down, in addition to conventional brakes.
– The train will have dampers and air suspensions allowing it to remain stable while cornering while maintaining its balance and comfort for the passengers.
– Alfa-X stands for Advanced Laboratories for Front End Activity in Railway Experimentation.
– The new train is based on the JR E5 platform, which already operates on main lines in Japan.
– JR East will link data between train, control center, maintenance facilities and personnel to monitor performance and keep trains at optimal levels.
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