Japan - 1 October 2024
As the 1st October is approaching soon, the Tokaido Shinkansen line will turn 60 this year as it has been operating since 1964. As part of the celebrations for the world's first high speed line, JR Central hosts numerous events, such as a ride on the Doctor Yellow and the Linear Chuo Maglev L0 Series. Also, JR Central released a special logo designed by Noritake Suzuki just for the 60th anniversary as shown in the first picture below.
JR Central’s “Tokaido Shinkansen 60th” logo
Event organized by JR Central to ride Dr. Yellow
Event organized by JR Central to ride Linear Maglev
The Tokaido Shinkansen is the world's first high speed rail line. It was opened on 1st October 1964, which was 9 days before Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics. At that time, the 0 series is used and it took around 4 hours to reach Shin-Osaka from Tokyo, at a speed of 210km/h. Currently, the same journey takes about 2.5 hours with the N700/N700S Series at 285km/h.
Events
Events held by JR Central includes visits to Hamamatsu Factory, ride of Doctor Yellow and Linear Maglev. To participate in this event, one need to take part in a contest. Winning participants will then be able to take part in their choice of event, depending on their extent, e.g. number of stamps. Chances of winning is usually narrow, as it can be something like only the first 10 participants to get 6 stamps win an entrance to an event.
Doctor Yellow Experience
Doctor Yellow is an inspection train that is used to monitor the condition of the track and overhead wires with special equipment. Because the timetable for this train is not made known to the general public, it is said that seeing one brings the viewer good luck or make them happy as witnessing is a matter of chance.
In this tour, participants can ride on a Doctor Yellow Set T4, which is made based on the 700 Series Shinkansen. Considering that this train rarely opens to the public, tickets for the event will be snapped up fast. Visitors can see the interior of the train that is normally unable to be seen as the windows are blacked out, which includes the maintenance equipment used.
Visit to Hamamatsu Factory
In this organized tour, participants can find out how a Shinkansen rolling stock is maintained to ensure smooth operations. This includes workers taking apart section by section of the carriages for inspection. Also, during the tour, participants can even see Doctor Yellow, which is again luck-based as the appearance may not be absolute.
Tour to Chuo Maglev construction site in Shinagawa
In this tour, visitors can experience what it is like at the construction of the tunnels and the station for the future Linear Chuo Maglev Shinkansen Line. They can also get firsthand experience of the progress of Chuo Shinkansen's Shinagawa Station through site visit.
The Chuo Shinkansen, or its official name Linear Chuo Shinkansen, is a proposed high speed maglev line with a target speed of 500km/h. It will link Tokyo's Shinagawa with Nagoya in 40 minutes and Shin-Osaka in 67 minutes.
Maglev Experience
In this official tour, participants can experience what it is like to cruise along at 500km/h at Yamanashi's Maglev Test track, which will become part of the Chuo Maglev Line in the future, albeit delayed due to disputes between JR Central and Shizuoka Prefectural Government.
Poster Gallery
These are the posters for advertising the celebration of the 60th anniversary.
Poster 1
Poster 2
Poster 3
The third poster was decorated with 60 mini logos created by JR Central based on icons along the line.
The 60 mini logos can be seen from this link
Special Products
Link: https://jrplus-shinkansen60th.hp.peraichi.com/
The gold and silver models of the 0 Series are being sold as commemorative items.
Event at SCMaglev Railway Park in collaboration with Cyborg 009
Commercial
Media
References
1. https://trainstobeyond.com/2024/09/04/2024-japan-bullet-at-60/
2. https://www.japanhouselondon.uk/whats-on/60-years-of-the-shinkansen-family-fun-day/
3. https://travel.jr-central.co.jp/plan/area/shizuoka/hamakou/
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Yellow
5. https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/news-and-opinion/doctor-yellow-shinkansen-to-be-retired-2027/
6. https://travelweekly.com.au/article/move-fast-see-japans-world-famous-doctor-yellow-bullet-train-before-its-too-late/
7. https://tspoint.jr-central.co.jp/campaign/20240901.html
8. https://recommend.jr-central.co.jp/wakutetsu/
9. https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/doctor-yellow-shinkansen
10. https://www.japanrailtimes.japanrailcafe.com.sg/web/article/rail-travel/riding-japan-fastest-shinkansen-maglev
11. https://recommend.jr-central.co.jp/60th/?utm_source=jr-central.co.jp&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=own
No comments:
Post a Comment