September 23, 2014 THE ASAHI SHIMBUN TSURU, Yamanashi Prefecture--Two minutes and 50 seconds after the train’s departure, tunnel lights zipped by, water in a glass rippled harder, and a booming sound grew louder. But even after reaching a top speed of 500 kph, the prototype magnetic levitation (maglev) train did not experience any major trembling, and the passengers onboard felt no discomfort. Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) held a test ride of the prototype L0 Series maglev train in Yamanashi Prefecture on Sept. 22. About 200 journalists showed up, exceeding the numbers for the past two trial runs. Speed is the big feature of the technology. The maglev trains hover above the tracks at high speed to reduce friction. In comparison, a Shinkansen bullet train’s top speed is about 300 kph. The 42.8-kilometer Yamanashi Maglev Test Track between the cities of Uenohara and Fuefuki in the prefecture is expected to be used for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen line that JR Tokai plans to open in 2027. The line will link Shinagawa Station in Tokyo with Nagoya in 40 minutes. The maglev “station” at the Yamanashi Maglev Test Center in Tsuru looked like an airport boarding gate. Twenty-six seconds after leaving the station at 10:40 a.m., the train reached 100 kph. After 24 more seconds, the train began levitating above the tracks and accelerated. The ride was smooth, with only minor bumps. The car had rows of two seats, without seat belts, on both sides of the aisle. A display near the ceiling showed the current speed and the view ahead of the maglev train. Around 90 seconds after departure, the train clocked an ear-popping 350 kph. A JR Tokai official explained that the sensations the passengers felt could be related to the difference in elevation of the test line, which varies from 300 meters above sea level to 700 meters. After the speed exceeded 400 kph, a noise similar to that in an airplane was heard. The water sloshed about in the glass but did not spill out. The display soon showed 500 kph, and the lights on the tunnel walls were a blur. When the train began slowing down, the passengers felt like they were being slightly pushed from their seats. Right before the train stopped, the wheels touched down on the tracks, creating an impact strong enough to wake sleeping passengers. The entire test ride was 25 minutes. Other Asahi Shimbun reporters recorded the noise level of the maglev zipping through at its top speed near the Yamanashi Prefectural Maglev Exhibition Center. The site was 10 meters from the guideway of the track. As the maglev approached, a low-pitched tone like the ground rumbling grew louder until it was booming. After a keening sound mixed in with the rumbling, the train sped by. The device showed 85 decibels, somewhat louder than inside the train, but lower than the noise at a pachinko parlor. JR Tokai plans to reduce the noise inside and outside the train by installing a sound hood to cover part of the guideway. The company will hold a trial ride session for the public on eight days in November and December. The fare for two seats will be 4,320 yen ($40). More details are available at the company’s website at linear.jr-central.co.jp/. (This article was written by Hiroshi Nakano, Kenichiro Saito and Taro Saito.)
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 18:37:10 +0000
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