Fastech 360

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Fastech 360 is an experimental train developed by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) to test technology for the next-generation Shinkansen rolling stock, and can run at speeds of up to 405 km/h. Its name is a portmanteau of Fast, Technology, and 360 km/h, the speed at which production trains were initially hoped to be operated. Results of testing using these trains will be incorporated into the E5 Series Shinkansen trains which are scheduled to enter service in 2011, eventually operating at 320 km/h.

There are 2 types:

• Fastech 360S (E954 series): For use on Shinkansen tracks only, an 8-car set which began test running on the Tōhoku Shinkansen in June 2005.
• Fastech 360Z (E955 series): For use on both Shinkansen and mini-Shinkansen lines, a 6-car set which began test running in 2006.

Fastech 360 trains are equipped with emergency air braking plates like that of an aircraft, similar in appearance to the ears of a cat. This trait immediately earned them a nickname of Nekomimi Shinkansen (猫耳新幹線, Nekomimi Shinkansen^?), which literally means "cat-eared Shinkansen", but also refers to a widespread phenomenon of nekomimi in anime and manga. In line with moe culture, a Fastech-tan character was quickly created as a personification of the new Shinkansen, and model figures of her were sold with permission from JR East.

The Fastech 360 S trains have an arrow-line shape at one end, and a stream-line shape at the other.

[edit] See also

• High-speed rail

[edit] External links

• Press release from JR East (English)
• A bullet train... only with ears (BBC News)

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