Kyushu shinkansen track inspection

[angusmclean]

After trawling through the topics on this site ('comprehensive' is an understatement), I have not yet found any reference to a track inspection train used on the Kyushu shinkansen line, although I concede that my search may not have been completely thorough. My first and only supposition would be that JR West's 923 train would do the job. Is that correct and has anyone seen photos of this train at work in Kyushu?

 

Angus

[miyakoji]

Angus that's a good question, I'd never thought about it. According to Japanese Wikipedia, 4 of the 800 series trains have some kind of inspection capability. Sets U007 and U009 can inspect the track, and U008 can test the electric supply, the signals, and communication equipment, and set U001 can inspect the catenary (its physical aspect, not the electricity, I guess) and the track. Two different words are used for the track-related capabilities of the U007/U009 and U001 trains, it's not clear to me if they check different things or if it's the same. I think the testing equipment is on board only when testing is being done.

[Sacto1985]

I wonder would it be possible to run the 700 Series-based Dr. Yellow trainset on the Kyushu Shinkansen line?

[Nozomi]

Taken from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/800_Series_Shinkansen)

 

 

JR Kyushu announced in December 2008 that three new 800 series sets would be delivered between summer 2009 and autumn 2010, ahead of the completion of the entire Kyushu Shinkansen route between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chūō in 2011.^[5]The first of the new batch, set U007, was delivered in June 2009,^[6] and entered service on 22 August 2009.^[7] Externally, the new sets feature minor livery changes regarding the red stripe, and internally, each car features different colour seat covers.^[8] Sets U007 and U009 include track condition monitoring equipment and are numbered in the 800-1000 series, while set U008 features overhead wire and signal monitoring equipment and is numbered in the 800-2000 series.^[9]

[angusmclean]

Many thanks for the information. I had never read of these installations on the trains before.

 

Angus

[bikkuri bahn]

I wonder would it be possible to run the 700 Series-based Dr. Yellow trainset on the Kyushu Shinkansen line?

Possible perhaps, but unlikely.　The Dr. Yellow is a JR Tokai trainset, and as JR Tokai revenue trainsets don't run on JR Kyushu tracks, JR Tokai has no motivation to do JR Kyushu's job.

Edited May 18, 2013 by bikkuri bahn

[angusmclean]

Well I'm very glad I asked the original question regarding Kyushu. It didn't occur to me to read the Wiki's information regarding the Series 800 and the information from replies were very interesting, but Bikkuri's reply regarding JR Tokai's Series 923 not available for Kyushu had me wondering 'then what tests JR West's line?'  A look at Wiki's 'Doctor Yellow' page told me there are two 923 trains, 923.0 owned by JR Tokai from 2000, and 923.3000 owned by JR West from 2005 !!!   and I thought for years that there was only one.  Tomix make both versions, Kato released the 923.3000 last year. I received this train a few months ago, and the .3000 sub-series notation didn't ring any bells at the time either.

 

Angus

[NuclearErick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daeHsYNII9o

user: samedahar

 

not sure when this video was fimed... enjoy

 

 

[Densha]

not sure when this video was fimed... enjoy

At least before the 100 series was retired, according to wikipedia before March 2012.

 

It's really interesting to read this topic. Also, aren't there many trains that go entirely from Tokyo to Hakata; and from Shin-Osaka to Kagoshima-Chuo? That means that JR Central trains go up to Hakata and JR West trains up to Kagoshima-Chuo and that it's not such a matter that they don't have anything to do with each others' infrastructure. Also, they are all part of the JR group so I doubt that they wouldn't work together.

[JR 500系]

Nice video Erick!

 

Rare to see two Doctors on duty! I'm guessing it should be quite some time back since the 100 series Kodama is still in service...