I'm generally not a fan of high-speed rail, or rather, I don't care about HSR as much as I care about humble commuter trains.
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I think it's a kind of glamorous show-stealer which ppl in the USA think you can actually build w/o an extensive base-rail-network.
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So you won't normally see me trainpoasting HSR stuff. But today, why not?
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We'll go geographically, starting w the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen. This is the 0 series, which premiered 1964.pic.twitter.com/K8FhnFvxJ0
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The 0 series is iconic; its shape inspired the term "bullet train." It was withdrawn from service in 2008. Top speed: 220kmh
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The 100 series was the first upgrade to Shinkansen design, launched in 1984 and withdrawn in 2012. Top speed: 220kmhpic.twitter.com/wPBFmfAm31
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The 300 series began operation in 1992, and was withdrawn in 2012. This design raised the top speed to 270kmhpic.twitter.com/z0qAWxVSBQ
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The gorgeous 500 series operated at 300kmh, which remains the top speed today on the Tokaido and Sanyo routes.pic.twitter.com/FLKVwsRMWv
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This design was very expensive to produce, and only a few were made. It continues running today--alas, I've never managed to ride one.
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The oddly-shaped 700 series was launched in 1997, but is currently being phased out of service...pic.twitter.com/4820fAsniP
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...replaced by the N700, which has a higher acceleration rate (2.6kmh/s, 0-270kmh in 3 minutes)pic.twitter.com/PDYJrEii0u
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Moving south, the Kyushu Shinkansen--this is the 800 series, top speed 260kmh. Lovely wood-accented interior!pic.twitter.com/HplJAeXscM
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The N700 also runs on the Kyushu route with a different paint schemepic.twitter.com/HUNtepqdLG
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Moving north--the Tohoku and Joetsu routes. This is the 200 series, launched 1980, still running today!pic.twitter.com/wZ9nodgWOO
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A variant, the 200-2000 series, was launched in 1986, but has since been withdrawn.pic.twitter.com/y75hwf2ShA
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The E1 series ran from 1994-2012; this was the first all-double-deck bullet train. Color scheme changed in 2003.pic.twitter.com/TAzktAgRVR
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The E2, launched 1997 for the Tohoku and Hokuriku routes, was so popular the Chinese ripped it off a decade laterpic.twitter.com/ZlRE388jCB
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The E4 had a truly bizarre design, another all-double-deck train, withdrawn this year.pic.twitter.com/TxIqB42DMW
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Launched in 2011, the E5 is the fastest in the fleet, top speed 320kmh. First to include a super-first-class car.pic.twitter.com/mcewmE7VGt
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Launched in 2014, the E7/W7 runs on the Hokuriku route. Like the E5, this design includes a "Gran Class" car.pic.twitter.com/vGzOyhHo5B
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Now the "mini-Shinkansen," which run on HSR *and* conventional tracks. The 400 series ran on the Yamagata route.pic.twitter.com/6a7NyMxLMW
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The 400 was withdrawn in 2010, replaced by this, the E3 series, which also ran on the Akita route.pic.twitter.com/Iy1eHERD8Z
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E3 service on the Akita route stopped with the introduction of the E6 seriespic.twitter.com/IWQSeZxc8Q
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The newest Shinkansen line, the Hokkaido Shinkansen, uses the H5, a variant of the E5. This line opened March 2016!pic.twitter.com/2MQoglD2rx
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Lastly, an honorable mention for the 700T, a variant of the 700 series for use in Taiwan.pic.twitter.com/sYjRThy2SH
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This concludes today's trainpoasting. Someone please inform
@weimerica that he may un-mute me now. -
My condolences also to
@menaquinone4,@BronzeAgePerv, and @Neo_Bugman; your patience is appreciated.
End of conversation
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