TOKYO — One Japanese railroad seeks to push the latest high speed train technology to nearly 250 mph with a new passenger trainset in development.
The English-language version of Kyodo News reports on a 10-car “next-generation Shinkansen” train with a designed top speed of about 224 mph.
The news site reports that the East Japan Railway company may even try to push the upper speed limit to about 248 mph. Current designs are capable of about 200 mph.
The news site cites railroad officials saying that the trains will be built by a collaboration between Kawasaki and Hitachi. Testing is focusing on the locomotive design to reduce noise and wind resistance.
Aside from the immense cost, look at the aesthetics: this rail vehicle looks like an airplane without wings. It’s just “plane” ugly !
It would be nice if that technology were to come to North America. It would also be nice if my fairy godmother gave me a hundred billion dollars. Both events I view as equally probable.
The above comments are general in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. Find your own damn lawyer.
I saw this on NHK World. Pretty cool. Be nice if Amtrak could do 90 in most places.
Japan has 6 railroads in the Top Ten farebox recovery list in the world. They will be alright, They ALWAYS been, And THE safest or at least Top 3 safest in the world. Its just another day in Japanese Railroads.
Unfortunately for 250 mph trains, they are much more expensive on a passenger-mile basis than 500 mph planes. Without subsidies, passenger trains are simply not viable.