Gauge Change Train
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The Gauge Change Train (GCT) or Free Gauge Train (フリーゲージトレイン) is the name given to a Japanese project started in 1994 to develop a high-speed train with variable gauge axles to allow inter-running between the 1,435 mm (4 ft 81⁄2 in) standard gauge Shinkansen network, and the 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow gauge provincial network.[1]
Contents |
Trains
Two three-car "GCT" electric multiple unit trains have been built for testing. A third train, provisionally scheduled for operation from 2010, will form the prototype for revenue-earning trains.
First train
The first GCT train was completed in October 1998. It was designed to be able to run at a maximum speed of over 300 km/h on Shinkansen lines, and at over 130 km/h on conventional narrow-gauge lines under a catenary voltage of 25 kV AC, 20 kV AC, or 1,500 V DC.
The train was formed as follows:
- GCT01-1： (M'c1) built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries
- GCT01-2： (M1) built by Kinki Sharyo
- GCT01-3： (M'c2) built by Tokyu Car Corporation
After preparation at the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) in Kokubunji, Tokyo, the train was moved to JR West tracks in January 1999 for testing on the Sanin Line at speeds of up to 100 km/h. From April 2001, the train was shipped to the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado, U.S.A. for an extended period of high-speed endurance running until January 2001. Here, it recorded a maximum speed of 246 km/h and ran a total distance of approximately 600,000 km, with approximately 2,000 axle gauge changing cycles.[2]
From May to June 2003, the train was tested for the first time in Shikoku, running late at night on the Yosan Line between Sakaide Station and Matsuyama Station. [3]
Testing ended in 2006, after which the train was stored at JR Kyushu's Kokura Works. In April 2007, the train was moved to storage at JR Shikoku's Tadotsu Works.
Second train
Initially scheduled to be completed in 2004, the second train was delivered in 2006, starting test running based at JR Shikoku's Tadotsu Works. In March 2007, the train was shipped from the RTRI in Kokubunji to Kokura Works, where it was shown off to the press in May 2007.
This train is based on the E3 Series Shinkansen, and includes passenger seating in the intermediate car. Maximum speed is 270 km/h on Shinkansen lines operating under 25 kV AC (60 Hz), and 130 km/h on conventional lines operating under 20 kV AC (60 Hz) or 1,500 V DC.[4]
The train is formed as follows:
- GCT01-201： (Mc3) with pantograph
- GCT01-202： (M2) with pantograph
- GCT01-203： (Mc4)
The end cars are 23,075 mm long, and the intermediate car is 20,500 mm long.[4]
From December 2007, test-running commenced on conventional tracks between Kokura Works and Nishi-Kokura Station.
From June 2009, the train is scheduled to be used for test-running between the Kyushu Shinkansen and conventional narrow gauge tracks, operating at speeds of up to 270 km/h on shinkansen tracks.[5]
See also
- Mini-shinkansen, the concept of converting narrow-gauge lines to standard gauge for use by Shinkansen trains
- Super Tokkyū, the concept of building narrow-gauge lines to Shinkansen standards
References
- ↑ "RTRI REPORT, Vol.14 No.10, October 2000". Retrieved on 6 September 2008. (Template:ISO 639 name en)
- ↑ 軌間可変電車（フリーゲージトレイン）国内走行試験 在来線１３０ｋｍ/ｈ達成. (14 January 2002). Retrieved on 6 September 2008. (Japanese)
- ↑ "フリーゲージトレイン、12日試験走行" (in Japanese). Shikoku News. 10 May 2003. http://www.shikoku-np.co.jp/kagawa_news/social/article.aspx?id=20030510000098. Retrieved on 7 September 2008.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "新形フリーゲージトレイン (New Gauge-changing Train)". Japan Railfan Magazine 47 (556): p86–87. August 2007.
- ↑ "下関で車輪幅の変換試験を公開 フリーゲージ電車" (in Japanese). Kyodo News. 29 April 2009. http://www.47news.jp/CN/200904/CN2009042901000598.html. Retrieved on 5 May 2009.
