SCMAGLEV and Railway Park with Kohichi Kida

Marlon Charles met his friend Koichi Kida in Nagoya whom he hasn’t seen for many years. Marlon used to work with him in the Equipment Group at Honda. We enjoyed a day with him touring around Nagoya which is near his hometown of Suzuka. The first stop was the railway park. We really enjoyed learning about how the Shinkansen and train systems have progressed. Japan is also developing a high-speed maglev train. Using powerful magnets for levitation and propulsion, the train has already reached speeds of 603 km (375 mph) in testing, though a commercial service isn’t expected to launch until 2027 at the earliest.

 A collection of 39 retired train cars are displayed in the museum. Many of these can be entered or viewed from underneath, and are accompanied by a host of exhibits explaining the different parts of the trains and all aspects of their operation and maintenance.

 This steam locomotive set a speed record for steam power.  Look at the new engineers!

 

 

 Isn't he a cutie?

  

The first part of the project will connect Shinagawa Station in Tokyo to Nagoya in 2027 and will cover the distance of 286 km in 40 minutes ( instead of 1h32 today with the Tokaido Line and accessible with a Japan Rail Pass). 86 % of the line will be underground.

 The magnetic levitation is a physical phenomenon that is generated by two electromagnets. The interaction between the magnets creates a magnetic force that compensates the gravity and allows levitation.

How does the magnetic levitation on a train work?
The magnets are placed on the train and along the chosen path. The action of the magnets will push the train up and ensure the existence of a gap between the "rail" and train. The train is off the track. Not touching the rail, the train avoids any loss of speed due to friction between the rail and the wheels.

  will be the fastest bullet train in the world with a speed approximately twice that of current Shinkansen at 500 km/h.  We tried their simulator to see what it would be like as a passenger.  When it begins, it is riding on wheels the retract like an airliner after reaching a certain speed.  You could feel how smooth the ride became when levitate.  Next it travelled the speed of the current bullet train.  You could see the landscape fly by.  It next accelerated to the highest speed and it was amazing how fast the scenery  changed

First class cabin.

  Dr. Yellow is the nickname for the high-speed test trains that are used on the Japanese Shinkansen ("Bullet Train") dedicated express passenger train routes. The trains have special equipment on board to monitor the condition of the track and overhead wire, including specially instrumented bogies and observation blisters?

The "Doctor" part of the name is from their test and diagnostic function, and the "Yellow" part comes from the bright yellow color they are all painted. They run late at night when there is no other traffic on the tracks.

 

 Next we tiresome vintage trains illustrating the progress made through the years.

Years ago trains were slow and they needed dining cars for long-distance.  With the speed of the new shinkansen's, there is no need for a dining car only a steward to sell drinks and snacks.

Class Kiha 181 Diesel Railcar

Class 381 Class Kkuha 381 Electric Railcar

 Emperor and Empress Locomotive Train.

Wider tracks are used on the bullet train to provide more stability.

  
This car was used to check clearance.

  The museum also houses one of Japan's largest train displays with miniature trains running through incredibly detailed recreations of Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo.   

Utsunomiya Bound by Shinkansen

Last night in Toyko, one last look at the city before getting on the shinkansen and going to Utsunomiya.  

 Dinner and drinks at THE IRISH DUBLINER watched some rugby on TV in the pub.

Breakfast at Wendy's.  Yeah, they have a Wendy's but it's not like what we have in the USA.  Mary didn't know what sauce was on her egg and hamburger (not sausage) but she said it was delicious.   

I found this amusing. When I went into the bathroom, the toilet started responding by opening the lid, I laughed a little then it sounded like it running water.  I sat down and wow warm seat, then it sprayed my front and back. LOL  After I get up it flushed and the lid shut.  Only in Japan  LOL Please click the link for some amusement. Click on the words below to see why I freaked out.

Toliet Amusements

 
On our way to the train station. Every day we have walked at least 18,000 steps.  My feet are beginning to bark LOL. Thank goodness there are always products in the hotel room to put in bath water to soak. Lots of steps....

Marlon and Mary went and got our special tickets needed to ride the Shinkansen. 

Click the link to watch the bullet train come in...
 Shinkansen Train (Bullet Train)

 Staff checking the light above the seat to make sure everyone has a ticket to ride.

 Luggage was placed behind the last row of seats during our ride on the BULLET TRAIN.

2 trains attached Wowza.

 

View from JR-East Hotel Mets in Utsunomiya.