Japan tests world's fastest bullet train
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To start operation in 2020
The ALFA-X marks a new stage of growth for the Shinkansen, pushing the world-renowned high speed rail service even faster towards the future.
Its testing debut comes as Japan's new high-speed Shinkansen N700S continues tests that began just over a year ago.
That model will enter operation in 2020, but its maximum speeds of 300 kph — the same as other N700 series trains — will be easily surpassed by the ALFA-X.
Representational image
Its testing debut comes as Japan's new high-speed Shinkansen N700S continues tests that began just over a year ago.
That model will enter operation in 2020, but its maximum speeds of 300 kph — the same as other N700 series trains — will be easily surpassed by the ALFA-X.
Representational image
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In action
The flurry of new models coincides with Japan's preparations to host the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
No matter what speeds the train achieves during its test runs, it won't match the record-breaking pace of Japan Railway's magnetic levitation, or maglev, train which hit 603 kph (374 mph) on an experimental track in 2015.
No matter what speeds the train achieves during its test runs, it won't match the record-breaking pace of Japan Railway's magnetic levitation, or maglev, train which hit 603 kph (374 mph) on an experimental track in 2015.