Japan has taken a leap forward with a new series of bullet trains that are the fastest ever on wheels; only mag-lev trains have gone faster. The new NZ700s model can hit 225 mph (360kmh) but will be limited in service to about 180 mph.
The new bullet train, or ‘shinkansen’ will run between Tokyo and Osaka. It’s designed for an even smoother ride than on earlier bullet trains, and is the first new model in thirteen years. It also has upgraded automatic control and braking systems that can take over in an emergency, and even a battery backup that will let it keep running even if the power is cut.
The new trains are entering service on schedule, although the event that inspired their construction will not; they were intended to help speed visitors and competitors between 2020 Olympics venues in the two cities. That will have to wait until next year.
In the meantime, two other high-speed projects are moving forward. A model code-named Alfa-X is expected to enter service in 2030, and will be able to run at 400kmh. There is also a plan to connect Tokyo and Nagoya with a mag-lev train that could run at 505 kmh, cutting the time to just over half of the 70 minutes it takes now.
