Japan railway news – Page 2
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In depthJapan: Attracting traffic to rural lines
Imaginative initiatives are helping to ensure the survival of lightly used railways in rural Japan. Mike Bent reports.
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In depthResilient Infrastructure: Protecting Japan’s national network from earthquakes
The Railway Technical Research Institute is striving to find ways of making Japan’s railways safer and more secure against damage from earthquakes.
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In depthJapan: Challenge and change at JR Freight
Legislation limiting overtime worked by road haulage drivers comes into force next year, offering JR Freight an opportunity to win back lost traffic. Challenges include the need to adapt more of the 1 067 mm gauge network for 40 ft high cube containers and to develop wagons to carry them. Mike Bent reports.
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NewsTesting starts on next phase of Hokuriku Shinkansen
JAPAN: Trial running has started on the next section of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which is scheduled to open for revenue service on March 16 2024.
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Metro Report InternationalUtsunomiya Lightline tramway opens
Source: Kazumiki Miura JAPAN: Celebrations on August 26 marked the opening of the Lightline light rail line in the city of Utsunomiya, 100 km north of Tokyo, as Japan’s first new-build tram line since the opening of a line in Takaoka in 1948. The 1 067 mm ...
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NewsJR Central to build Series 385 tilting train prototype
JAPAN: Central Japan Railway plans to replace the Series 383 tilting trainsets used on its Shinano ‘wide view’ limited express services operating mainly between Nagoya and Nagano with a fleet of Series 385 trainsets featuring more advanced body tilting controls. The company announced in August that ...
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NewsDriver-only EMUs unveiled in Hokkaido
JAPAN: JR Hokkaido has unveiled its first Series 737 EMUs, which are the railway’s first to be designed for driver-only operation.
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NewsSeibu Railway investment plan
JAPAN: Seibu Railway is to place an order for four more Kawasaki Heavy Industries Series 40000 EMUs as part of its ¥25·1bn investment programme for the current year.
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NewsBattery shunters to make J-TREC rolling stock deliveries
JAPAN: East Japan Railway’s rolling stock manufacturing subsidiary J-TREC has acquired two Hokuriku Heavy Industries ECOlogical MObility lithium-ion battery shunting locomotives. They are to be used for moving new vehicles from the company’s factory to Jimmuji station about 5 km away on the Keikyu-Zushi Line, where ...
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NewsJapanese railway to test biofuel
JAPAN: West Japan Railway is to test the use of biofuels to power diesel multiple-units on the Sanin Main Line between Shimonoseki and Nagatoshi.
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NewsTobu Railway launches Spacia X EMU fleet
JAPAN: Tobu Railway unveiled the first of 24 aluminium-bodied Series N100 EMUs on April 15, branding its new fleet as ‘Spacia X’.
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NewsJR Central targeting Tokaido Shinkansen ATO from 2028
JAPAN: Central Japan Railway has set out plans to introduce GoA2 automatic train operation on the Tokaido Shinkansen by 2028. The system is currently on test and a demonstration for the media is planned for May 10.
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NewsDinosaur train brings the past to the rails
JAPAN: The Echizen Railway has given a trainset a dinosaur theme for use on services to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. The two-car Series 1000 EMU is one of 12 built by Tokyo Sharyo in 1973-85, and was acquired by the Echizen third sector railway from ...
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In depthWorld Speed Survey 2023: China retains the lead in post-pandemic recovery
After the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the world’s high speed railway services have returned to a more normal operating pattern, although many of the best timings have been eased slightly, finds Jeremy Hartill.
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NewsSotetsu-Tokyu Link enables through running to Tokyo
JAPAN: The 10 km Sotetsu-Tokyu Link connecting the Sotetsu and Tokyu railways was opened for revenue service on March 18.
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NewsKururi Line closure plan fuels fears for Japan’s rural railways
JAPAN: East Japan Railway has confirmed that it is to launch consultations for the partial closure of the 32·2 km Kururi Line east of Tokyo.
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Metro Report InternationalSky, fields and rippling waves inspire light rail vehicle styling
JAPAN: Fukui Railway is taking delivery of three F2000 Fukuramu Liner light rail vehicles ordered from Alna Sharyo.
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NewsJR East presents first Series E8 high speed train
JAPAN: East Japan Railway has unveiled the first of its 300 km/h Series E8 high speed trainsets, which have been ordered for use on services between Tokyo, Fukushima, Yamagata and Shinjo via the Yamagata mini-Shinkansen.
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NewsJR Freight to transport bonded cargo for airlines
JAPAN: JR Freight is to begin the regular transport of bonded cargo between warehouses and Tokyo’s main airports in April 2023, as part of a programme to reduce emissions and provide reliable logistics services as Japan faces a shortage of lorry drivers. During the coronavirus pandemic, ...
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NewsYamagata mini-Shinkansen base tunnel proposal makes progress
JAPAN: Construction of a base tunnel below the Ou mountain range on the Yamagata mini-Shinkansen has moved a step closer.