Japan railway news – Page 4
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In depthJapan: road-rail midi-buses on a rural railway
This month is expected to see the launch of commercial passenger services with ‘dual-mode’ road-rail midi-buses on a rural railway in southern Shikoku. Mike Bent reports.
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NewsRoad-rail midi-buses to start revenue service on December 25
JAPAN: The regional Asa Kaigan Tesudo in southeastern Shikoku is to start revenue operation using ‘dual-mode’ road-rail vehicles from December 25.
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NewsATACS to support ATO on Tokyo suburban routes
JAPAN: East Japan Railway has confirmed plans to install its ATACS radio-based train control on Tokyo suburban lines over the next decade, in order to support an expansion of driver-only and automatic train operation.
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In depthJapan: Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen nears completion
Due to open in autumn 2022, the 66 km Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen is isolated from the rest of Japan’s high speed network. Mike Bent investigates.
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NewsTadami Line transfer brings vertical separation to Japanese passenger market
JAPAN: Part of the storm-damaged Tadami Line in central Honshu has been transferred from JR East ownership to management by the local prefecture, the Tohoku Transport Office within the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism announced on November 30.
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NewsJR West to renew Okayama EMU fleet
JAPAN: On November 18 JR West announced plans to order a batch of two- and three-car EMUs for use on local services in the Okayama and Bingo areas.
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NewsJR East demonstrates automatic operation of high speed train
JAPAN: East Japan Railway demonstrated autonomous operation of a Series E7 high speed trainset to invited guests on November 17. Although a driver was present, his instructions were to keep his hands off the controls unless anything unexpected happened.
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NewsTobu Railway orders N100 units
JAPAN: Tobu Railway has awarded Hitachi Rail a contract to supply 24 six-car N100 six-car electric multiple-units with 212 seats, private compartments, lounge areas and a bar. The aluminium-bodied 1 067 mm gauge units from the manufacturer’s A Train family are to be produced at the ...
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NewsJR East uses AI to monitor overhead electrification
JAPAN: JR East has launched an AI-based monitoring system to enhance the quality of its overhead wire and catenary mast inspection process.
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NewsJR Central marks Chuo Shinkansen depot debut
JAPAN: Construction of the first of two maglev vehicle maintenance facilities for the Chuo Shinkansen began on October 14 at Nakatsugawa City in Gifu prefecture.
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NewsRefurbished EMU to offer tourist-oriented Osaka – Kyoto service
JAPAN: Kinki Nippon Railway (Kintetsu) has announced plans to refurbish a withdrawn four-car Series 12200 EMU ahead of the launch of a new service to be marketed as the Ayoyoshi Limited Express.
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NewsJR Central targets Shinkansen business travellers with work-oriented offering
JAPAN: Central Japan Railway Company is to revamp its offering for business travellers using Tokaido Shinkansen services, in response to changing travel patterns and working practices driven by the coronavirus pandemic.
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NewsSotetsu Series 21000 EMU enters service
JAPAN: Sagami Railway has put into service the first of four Series 21000 EMUs ordered to operate through services to Tokyo’s Meguro station over the Sotetsu-Tokyu Link.
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In depthHigh Speed: Sapporo in sight as tunnellers tackle Hokkaido’s hills
Construction of the 212 km second phase of the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo offers the prospect of a 5 h journey time from Tokyo once the line is completed in 2030-31. Mike Bent investigates.
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NewsJapanese diesel railcar ready for dynamic testing
JAPAN: This month JR West is to begin dynamic testing of its prototype Kawasaki Heavy Industries DEC700 diesel railcar, which is designed for future conversion to battery-diesel hybrid operation.
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NewsThai and Japanese railway research organisations to co-operate
THAILAND: The National Scientific & Technology Development Agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Railway Technical Research Institute covering co-operation on technical matters, human development and joint research to help improve the Thai railway network. Initially running until the end of June 2023, the ...
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NewsRed snow crabs by high speed train
JAPAN: Red snow crabs and turban shells harvested along the coasts of Akita, Aomori and Iwate Prefectures have been transported to Tokyo by high speed train as part of a campaign to promote domestic tourism in northern Tohoku. East Japan Railway’s Akita Shinkansen Komachi 16 high ...
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Metro Report InternationalGovernments mull funding of Tokyo metro extensions
JAPAN: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism and the Governor of Tokyo have agreed in principle that Tokyo Metro Corp should press ahead with two short extensions to improve connectivity in the southeast of the capital.
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Metro Report InternationalFukuoka Subway orders sky and mountain liveried trainsets
JAPAN: Fukuoka City Transport Bureau has ordered four four-car Series 3000A trainsets to support an expansion of services when the Fukuoka Subway’s 12 km Nanakuma Line is extended by 1·6 km from Tenjin Minami to Hakata in 2022. Two of the 1 435 mm gauge, 1·5 ...
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NewsRolling stock HVAC testing flaws come to light
JAPAN: Mitsubishi Electric President & CEO Takeshi Sugiyama has announced his resignation, after an internal investigation found that rolling stock heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and air compressors supplied by the company had not been tested according to documented specifications. The company said there had been ...