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MONTHLY NEWS February 1997 World's Fastest Train to Serve Between Osaka and Hakata |
A new type of Shinkansen (bullet train) that can travel at 300 kilometers (186 miles) per hour will begin carrying passengers on the Sanyo Line connecting Osaka and Hakata in Kyushu in March.
Developed by West Japan Railway Co., the sleek 500-Series trains will cut travelling time between Osaka and Hakata to 2 hours and 17 minutes--15 minutes shorter than the fastest service today. |
The new Shinkansen is also expected to become the world's fastest passenger train, averaging 261.8 kph (162 mph) between Hiroshima and Kokura Stations. According to the 1997 Guinness Book of World Records, the French TGV had the highest average speed from one station to the next of 253 kph (157 mph).
The 500-Series bullet trains are expected to begin operating on the Tokaido Line between Osaka and Tokyo as well around fall this year.
Photos: The new Shinkansen (top) and the cockpit (above). (West Japan Railway Co.) 
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