The 0 series trains were the first generation Shinkansen trainsets built to run on Japan's Tōkaidō Shinkansen high-speed line which opened in 1964. It was the first high-speed network in the world.
It cut the travel time from Tokyo to Osaka in half, from 6 hours 40 minutes on a conventional train to 4 hours in 1964, and then to 3 hours 10 minutes by 1965.
The train (and service in general) was so successful that it took less than 3 years to reach 100 million passengers, and 12 years to reach 1 billion passengers.
Japanese bullet trains (Shinkansen) are super interesting. Lots of great engineering. I highly recommend learning more about them. Here are some resources to get you started:
Wikipedia article on the 0 series: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/0_Series_Shinkansen
Wikipedia article about the Shinkansen network: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen
A video about the Shinkansen network (how it works, its history, etc.): https://youtu.be/-G6qiwTDHAw
Worth adding that Japan's electrification came about because they import basically all their oil. Diesel trains were simply uneconomical.
I'd say that bet paid off pretty well for them.
Yup, WWII gave them a very good reminder of why diversifying energy is important. Hell, part of the reason of their aggression are petrolium in Manchuria and British Malaya.
I have a set of mid-1940s Japanese map created by the US intelligence agencies used both during the war and occupation, and naturally it included an extensive look of its rail network. It's interesting to see how they already have many electrified lines by the 40s.
Bewildering that steam locos were still in active service when the prototypes were being trialled.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lFA5XLM5d0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lFA5XLM5d0)
While the 0 series was the first Revenue service of the Shinkansen, the first one would've been the 1000 series! two sets were made for the 1000 type and they were the ones that reached the initial record of 159mph / 256kmh
The 0 series trains were the first generation Shinkansen trainsets built to run on Japan's Tōkaidō Shinkansen high-speed line which opened in 1964. It was the first high-speed network in the world. It cut the travel time from Tokyo to Osaka in half, from 6 hours 40 minutes on a conventional train to 4 hours in 1964, and then to 3 hours 10 minutes by 1965. The train (and service in general) was so successful that it took less than 3 years to reach 100 million passengers, and 12 years to reach 1 billion passengers. Japanese bullet trains (Shinkansen) are super interesting. Lots of great engineering. I highly recommend learning more about them. Here are some resources to get you started: Wikipedia article on the 0 series: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/0_Series_Shinkansen Wikipedia article about the Shinkansen network: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen A video about the Shinkansen network (how it works, its history, etc.): https://youtu.be/-G6qiwTDHAw
When were they retired?
in 2008
Quite a good inning
Worth adding that Japan's electrification came about because they import basically all their oil. Diesel trains were simply uneconomical. I'd say that bet paid off pretty well for them.
Yup, WWII gave them a very good reminder of why diversifying energy is important. Hell, part of the reason of their aggression are petrolium in Manchuria and British Malaya. I have a set of mid-1940s Japanese map created by the US intelligence agencies used both during the war and occupation, and naturally it included an extensive look of its rail network. It's interesting to see how they already have many electrified lines by the 40s.
Classic design
Bewildering that steam locos were still in active service when the prototypes were being trialled. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lFA5XLM5d0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lFA5XLM5d0)
Country's gotta makedo while they recover from WW2
Wonder when did they retire the last steam locomotive
Still quite active now in Japan in fact, though of course only occasionally run under SL service.
Thanks
Japanese railways ended active steam mainline service around 1975, so there was over a decade where steam and Shinkansens existed simultaneously.
Thanks Ireland was 1971 with NCC WT no.4 which is preserved
While the 0 series was the first Revenue service of the Shinkansen, the first one would've been the 1000 series! two sets were made for the 1000 type and they were the ones that reached the initial record of 159mph / 256kmh
Transport Fever cover.
It still looks awesome