A great way to learn about Japanese rail technologies
Japan Railway Journal is an English language program which runs on NHK Television in Japan. It is hosted by Russel and provides a good introduction to the technologies and practices of railways and subways in Japan. It first aired in early 2015 and new episodes appear about once a month. Below is a link to the NHK site for this program:
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/japanrailway/
Summary of each program is below:
Episode 1, April 2015: The railway revival: 4 years after the Great Earthquake
Looks at the measures used to recover from the Great East Japan Earthquake including the temporary conversion of tracks to Bus Rapid Transit. Also introduces ARTACS, the advanced signalling system trialled on the Senseki line in Sendai and now being extended to use on JR lines in Tokyo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9KjKnq9VFA
Episode 2, May 2015: The new shinkansen: Technology and economic effects
Looks at the features of the new Shinkansen W7 series train as well as measures to combat snow on the line in winter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5_TwUCJga8
Episode 3, June 2015: Isumi Railway: There’s Nothing Here
Looks at how a minor railway in Japan has returned to financial viability by attracting railfans and tourists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObihvYWDmRk
Episode 4, July 2015: Diesel Hybrid trains: Japans World Leading Technology
Looks at Japan’s diesel hybrid trains. This includes the eco-friendly “Resort View Furusato” which winds its way through the beautiful Japanese Alps and is accessible to anyone with a Japan Rail pass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhTY6HMGnvw
Episode 5, August 2015: Battery Hybrid Trains: Development of the Global Technology
Looks at Japan’s world-first lithium-ion battery train “ACCUM” and the technology behind it. There’s also a full cab simulator investigated
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlAawGwpi5Y
Episode 6, September 2015: Japans Subway Technology in High Density Operation
Looks at new technologies being introduced to Japan’s subways. These include permanent magnet motors in use on the Ginza Line’s 1000 Series, as well as the potential for latest linear motors which enable lines to be built in constrained underground environments. And there are ATO systems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZRD9Ovrg40
Episode 7, 9 October 2015: The secret of operating preserved steam locomotives
Looks at how Japan retains the skills to maintain its fleet of preserved steam locomotives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q64twg-OeVI
Episode 8, 13 November 2015: Special Preview: Hokkaido Shinkansen – Hopes and Challenges
Previews the extension of the shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate via the world’s longest undersea tunnel between Honshu and Hokkaido. Included is discussion of some special challenges related to reducing travel times from Tokyo. The line has now been open since 26 March 2016. There is also a shinkansen themed tram in Hakodate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZdlzhG7O0w
Episode 9, 4 December 2015: Yamanote Line: The green rotating heart of Tokyo
Looks at the Yamanote Line and the evolution of its rolling stock since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. It then looks at the new Series E235 rolling stock which entered service on 30 November 2015. This sports a new colour scheme which is friendly for platform screen doors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avMa_vEjPN4
Episode 10, 15 January 2016: Seven Stars in Kyushu: The local revitalising cruise train
Looks at a luxury cruise train which provides perhaps one of the great railway journeys of the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzr_O4UZnME
Episode 11, 12 February 2016: Second chances for used trains in southeast Asia
Looks at the market for Japanese sourced second hand rolling stock around Asia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXr5N8V-T3c
Episode 12, 11 March 2016: Earthquake safety: What 5 years has taught us
Looks at the advanced safety measures which succeeded in preventing fatalities on the Shinkansen lines during the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. Also looks at further developments of the early earthquake warning system since then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YsCWRvjeRA
Episode 13, 8 April 2016: Superconducting Maglev: the extreme speeds of tomorrow
Tokyo to Nagoya in 40 minutes in 2027. Imagine Sydney to Canberra (the same distance) in 40 minutes. You can ride on this 500 kph train today, but for the moment you need more than your Japan Rail Pass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Q4IsQDBYo
Episode 14, 15 April 2016: Ekiben: A true rail traveling companion
Looks at the iconic Japanese lunchboxes sold at railway stations for rail travellers. It includes a special locally themed ekiben produced for Matsushima, sadly not on sale when we visited later in the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hv2PwXn77w
Episode 15, 13 May 2016: Premium express shimakaze: A train of dreams to reality
Looks at another Japanese tourist train between Osaka and Iseshima. It is not about speed but about enjoying the leisurely journey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHhjvV8GwXc
Episode 16, 20 May 2016: The Cat Stationmaster who rescued a railway
How “Tama” the cat stationmaster saved the Wakayama Electric Railway’s Kishigawa Line from demise and significantly increased the numbers of tourists travelling the line. There is now a second generation cat station master on the line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bACOzHX7B50
Episode 17, 10 June 2016: New generation express: Journey to speed and comfortability
Looks at the new test vehicle for the train scheduled to operate on the Chuo Conventional Line. Includes new tilting technology which improved passenger comfort whilst reducing cost.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8QijliWgc0
Episode 18, 17 June 2016: The future of rail freight transport
Looks at freight traffic in Japan including the success of the unique technology around its 12 foot containers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH-1LydLm1A
Episode 19, 15 July 2016: Light Rail Vehicles: Modern Trams Reshaping Urban Transit
Light Rail is making a comeback. This program looks at Fukui and Toyama.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVCOL-_QBdg
Episode 20, 22 July 2016: Kyoto Railway Museum: The story of rail transport
Japan’s largest railway museum opened in Kyoto in April 2016. Also the program visits a train maintenance training centre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3dvgwvnvGQ
Episode 21, 5 August 2016: Keikyu: The strive for world-class operation
Tokyo’s Keikyu line carries 2.4 million passengers a day on a double track corridor. It runs stopper trains interspersed with several patterns of express running (27 trains per hour per direction) at a line speed of 120kph and has the highest reliability of any line in Tokyo. How this is achieved here provides lessons for any engineer seeking high capacity with only a double track to work with and without compromise to safety.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kjy1YsCAbA
Episode 22, 16 August 2016: World Class Maintenance: The Backbone of Shinkansen Operations
How to maintain a high capacity (5.5 billion passengers since 1964), high speed (280 kph – 320 kph on Tohoku line) reliable (average delay 0.2 minutes including for earthquakes) and safe (no fatalities in more than 50 years’ operation) railway. Meet Dr Yellow (the equivalent on the Tohoku line is not yellow).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5GtGJ2WPNE
Episode 22, 16 September 2016: World Class Maintenance: The Backbone of Shinkansen Operations
How to maintain the infrastructure needed for a high capacity (5.5 billion passengers since 1964), high speed (280 kph – 320 kph on Tohoku line) reliable (average delay 0.2 minutes including for earthquakes) and safe (no fatalities in more than 50 years’ operation) railway. Meet Dr Yellow (the equivalent on the Tohoku line is not yellow).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5GtGJ2WPNE
Episode 23, 7 October 2016: Railways back on track: Six months after the Kumamoto Earthquakes
After the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on 14 April 2016, services were fully restored on the shinkansen line after 2 weeks. This program looks at the work which was needed on these and other lines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCXeEjNRfpA
Episode 24, 14 October 2016: Future Prospects Made in the Past: JR East’s Steam Loco Strategy
JR East operates 4 preserved steam locomotives. This program looks at how they maintain the skills in maintenance and manufacture to keep these locos on the tracks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL5jqyRW5tY
Episode 25, 11 November 2016: Picking Up the Pace: JR Shikoku’s Tactics for Survival
This program looks at how Shikoku’s railways are competing with road traffic by improving line speeds. The new generation tilt mechanisms introduced in episode 17 are encountered again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3RYWnmCq7o
