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Post by spokker on Jul 24, 2008 17:17:42 GMT -8
As Californians go to the polls this November to vote on the future of high speed rail in California, Japan Railways will be retiring the very first shinkansen design, the Series 0.  I found this image on Flickr. It's the iconic rounded design that non-Japanese people are most familiar with. These trains started running in 1964 and have a service life of 15 years. Few are still in service. I thought this news was not only interesting to high speed rail supporters, but illustrates how far behind we have been when it comes to rail compared to other countries. The CA HSR project would really bring our transportation infrastructure into the 21st century. |
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Post by spokker on Jul 24, 2008 21:42:56 GMT -8
If you want to see what a modern shinkansen operation looks like check out these series of videos on YouTube: Link to videoFor part 2, 3, and so on, look in the "Related videos" box after you're done with each part. It's really in-depth and will take you from Hakata to Tokyo with in cab views. The engineer's speech is even translated. |
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Post by James Fujita on Jul 30, 2008 14:25:20 GMT -8
As Californians go to the polls this November to vote on the future of high speed rail in California, Japan Railways will be retiring the very first shinkansen design, the Series 0. I found this image on Flickr. It's the iconic rounded design that non-Japanese people are most familiar with. These trains started running in 1964 and have a service life of 15 years. Few are still in service. I thought this news was not only interesting to high speed rail supporters, but illustrates how far behind we have been when it comes to rail compared to other countries. The CA HSR project would really bring our transportation infrastructure into the 21st century. man, I remember those. they may be old, but the original Shinkansen trains are still faster than anything we have on the west coast. and the meal service is better, too. I feel like we're cavemen or something, while everyone else zips along. think about it: Japan's bullet train has branches deep into the mountains and far to the north. to catch up, we'd need more than just L.A. to San Francisco, we'd need trains to Reno and Redding, too! |
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Post by spokker on Nov 5, 2008 12:49:44 GMT -8
As Japan retires the first generation, California begins on the next generation. I'm glad I posted this thread way back when  |
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Post by jejozwik on Nov 5, 2008 12:58:38 GMT -8
aww man, im really excited about this!
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Post by bobdavis on Nov 5, 2008 17:26:42 GMT -8
If the Cal HSR project was a little further along, maybe they could buy the used Shinkansen trains for the startup. It would be a bit like Pacific Electric buying the used cars from the Bay Area in the 40's. Given Japan's reputation for quality and high maintenance standards, it could be a good deal.
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Post by bluelineshawn on Nov 5, 2008 18:21:27 GMT -8
Are the Shinkansen trains FRA compliant? I think not. Hopefully CAHSR can work with FRA to come up with new guidelines so that we won't have a repeat of Acela.
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Post by spokker on Nov 5, 2008 22:51:59 GMT -8
Nah, the Japanese went ahead and got them approved by the FRA. They are that efficient over there.
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Post by bluelineshawn on Nov 6, 2008 12:53:29 GMT -8
Nah, the Japanese went ahead and got them approved by the FRA. They are that efficient over there. I know that you're joking, but as you know there is a real issue that current FRA requirements for train construction make shinkansen and TGV type trains virtually impossible in the US. Our trains end up being way too heavy and we probably can't get that 200 mph average being bandied about without FRA changing their rules. At least that's my understanding. |
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Post by spokker on Nov 6, 2008 13:00:53 GMT -8
That's why the the effort to changing those rules is underway.
Even among rail enthusiasts the FRA's standards have been criticized on various fronts even for conventional railroads.
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