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.   

San Fernando Valley Street Fair 2018

Waiting in a nice quiet area at the hotel for Audy, Greg & Seamus arrival. Today I have no thoughts as to what this street fest consists of.  Anxious to get the day going. 

We are on our way to the street fest and Audy found a great place to park along the street.  Many streets were blocked off and were full of vendors.

 We walked for miles around the fest.  Seamus enjoyed walking on his leash but when he got tired he was ready for his wagon ride.

Can you see me in the back seat of this police cruiser?

 On our way to find the roller derby tent thats set up here.  Audy plays on the SFV Roller Derby team.  Finally found the tent and got to meet the other derby girls on the team.

 Marlon bought a fanny pak which is exactly what he needed.

On our way again to finish up the fest, when we were stopped because a passenger train was coming down the track.  We all stood and watched as the train passed us by.  The train was a fairly new passenger train.

Time for lunch most of the choices were Mexican or pizza.  Ended up at Magaly's and had the deal of the day, 3 tacos for $5.  Ate lunch outside under a canopy since we had Seamus the dog.  No problem he liked having a few pieces of chicken that fell out of the tacos LOL.

 As we were walking down the street, I saw a bunch of bikes hanging up on a rack.  Now this is my first time seeing a bike valet. 

 Ready to end the day and start back to the car.

 Stopped at a craft tent which was selling metal art.

At the exit a obstical course was set up for dogs.  Seamus did a great job jumping over the bars and walking on the planks.

Almost to the car when we spotted this catus with bright yellow flowers on it.  Very nice looking.

 Seamus is tired and ready to go home.