Japan Recently Sent a 1,000-Foot Bullet Train to Another Nation
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While it is commonly associated with Japan, the Shinkansen—often called the “bullet train”—is not exclusive to that country. The same high-speed trains utilized by JR Central, developed by a collaboration of Japanese companies, are also operational in other parts of Asia, including Taiwan. Over the weekend, Taiwan received the first of 12 brand-new trains, designed based on the latest Shinkansen model, and transported from Japan by boat.
Each train consists of 12 railcars, measuring just under 1,000 feet in length, and capable of reaching speeds up to 186 mph, or 300 km/h, as reported by Railway Pro. This new generation of Shinkansen has been engineered for better efficiency and reduced vibration; additionally, it features lithium-ion backup batteries that enable the train to maintain reduced speeds in the event of a power failure while still providing lighting and running toilets.
Taiwan was the pioneer in adopting Shinkansen technology for its high-speed rail system, 19 years ago. The line extends from Taipei in the north of the island, traverses the more developed western coast, and ends in Kaohsiung to the west. It spans approximately 210 miles, takes around 90 minutes to traverse, and costs less than $50 for a one-way journey.
New Japanese Trains for Taiwan High-Speed Rail System Arrive | TaiwanPlus News
This new Shinkansen equipment, constructed by Hitachi and Toshiba, won’t reduce travel times on the route, but it represents a significant upgrade nonetheless, complementing the original fleet that Japan sold to Taiwan two decades ago.
It took two days to unload all 12 railcars of the first train from their cargo ship. During the following week, they will be transported by road from the port in Kaohsiung to the depot in Yanchao, where they will be assembled before entering service next summer. If you’re curious about the cost of such an order, the total was approximately $840 million, or the equivalent of about 21 first-edition Ferrari Luces.
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