Shinkansen

Japan was the first country to have the high speed train, since 1964.
Japanese high speed train are called "Shinkansen" that means "new trunk line".

The Shinkansen lines actually extend from north to south of Japan and are divided in many lines.
National Japan Railways (JR) are divided in 6 company, and Shinkansen route are divided between this company.

Actually the Shinkansen route are:
Tokaido Shinkansen
Sanyo Shinkansen
Tohoku Shinkansen
Joetsu Shinkansen
Hokuriku (Nagano) Shinkansen
Yamagata Shinkansen
Akita Shinkansen
Kyushu Shinkansen
Hakata Minami Line (this is a little line of 8,5 km, technically not a shinkansen line)

Train actual in use:

E1 "Max" series (Max mean double decker)

E2 series

E3 series

E4 "Max" series (Max mean double decker)

Map of Shinkansen network.
Lines
in green: Operated by JR East Lines
in yellow: Operated by JR Central Lines
in blue: Operated by JR West Lines
in red: Operated by JR Kyushu Lines
in gray: Planned
(photo from Wikipedia used under GNU licence)
Click on image to have full size image (1345x1380, 225 KB open in a new window)

Shinkansen at depot
(photo from Wikipedia used under GNU licence)

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