The first modern high-speed rail
Japan was the first country to build dedicated railway lines for high speed travel. Japan had a greater need for new high speed lines than countries where the existing standard gauge or broad gauge rail system had more upgrade potential.
The Shinkansen name was first formally used in 1940 for a proposed standard gauge passenger and freight line between Tokyo and Shimonoseki that used steam and electric locomotives with a top speed of 200 km/h (120 mph).
In 1950s, it was widely believed that railways would soon be outdated and replaced by air travel and highways as in America and many countries in Europe. However, the President of Japan National Railways, insisted on the possibility of high-speed rail, and the Shinkansen project was implemented.
Government approval came in December 1958, and construction of the first segment between Tokyo and Osaka started in April 1959. A test facility for rolling stock, now part of the line, opened in Odawara in 1962.
To enable high-speed operation, Shinkansen uses advanced technologies compared with conventional rail, and it achieved not only high speed but also a high standard of safety and comfort. Its success has influenced other railways in the world and the importance and advantage of high-speed rail has consequently been revalued.
Shinkansen routes are completely separate from conventional rail lines. Consequently, Shinkansen is not affected by slower local or freight trains and has the capacity to operate many high-speed trains punctually. The lines have been built without road crossings at grade. It uses tunnels and viaducts to go through and over obstacles rather than around them, with a minimum curve radius of 4,000 meters.
The Shinkansen uses 1,435 mm standard gauge in contrast to the 1,067 mm narrow gauge of older lines. Continuous welded rail and swingnose crossing points are employed, eliminating gaps at turnouts and crossings.
Turnout Crossing
Long rails are used, joined by expansion joints to minimize gauge fluctuation due to thermal elongation and shrinkage.
A combination of ballasted and slab track are used, with slab track exclusively employed on concrete bed sections such as viaducts and tunnels. Slab track is significantly more cost-effective in tunnel sections, since the lower track height reduces the cross-sectional area of the tunnel, thereby reducing construction costs by up to 30%.
The Shinkansen employs an ATC (Automatic Train Control) system, eliminating the need for trackside signals. It uses a comprehensive system of Automatic Train Protection. Centralized traffic control manages all train operations, and all tasks relating to train movement, track, station and schedule are networked and computerized.
Shinkansen uses a 25,000 V AC overhead power supply. Power is distributed along the axles of the train to reduce the heavy axle loads under single power cars.
Shinkansen trains are electric multiple unit style, offering high acceleration and deceleration, and reduced damage to the track because of lighter vehicles. The coaches are air-sealed to ensure stable air pressure when entering tunnels at high speed.
Ex.9. Complete the following sentences choosing the right variant.
1. The Shinkansen name was first formally used in …
1959. b) 1962. c) 1940.
2. Construction of the first segment between Tokyo and Osaka started in …
a) 1959. b) 1962. c) 1940.
3. The Shinkansen uses …
a) separate lines. b) conventional lines. c) underground lines.
4. The Shinkansen uses …
a) broad gauge. b) standard gauge. c) narrow gauge.
5. Swingnose crossing points are used to …
a) minimize gauge fluctuation. b) reduce the cross-sectional area. c) eliminate gaps at turnouts and crossings.
6. Long rails are joined by expansion joints to …
a) minimize gauge fluctuation. b) reduce the cross-sectional area. c) eliminate gaps at turnouts and crossings.
7. The Shinkansen employs an ATC to … c)
a) minimize gauge fluctuation. b) reduce the cross-sectional area. c) eliminate the need for trackside signals.
8. The Shinkansen uses …
a) alternative current power supply. b) direct current power supply.
9. Shinkansen trains offer reduced damage to the track because of …
a) lighter vehicles. b) high acceleration and deceleration. c) schedule is networked and computerized.
10. The coaches are air-sealed to ensure …
a) thermal elongation and shrinkage. b) stable air pressure. c) the lower track height.
Ex.6. Translate the following text from Russian into English using the active vocabulary of the unit.
«Синкансэн» – высокоскоростная сеть железных дорог в Японии, предназначенная для перевозки пассажиров между крупными городами страны. Первая линия была открыта между Осакой и Токио в 1964 году. Движение на линиях Синкансэн началось в 1964 году со скоростью 210 км/ч. Линия Токайдо-синкансэн является самой загруженной высокоскоростной железнодорожной линией в мире. На ней перевозится порядка 375 000 пассажиров ежедневно. В сети «Синкансэн» используется стандартная колея шириной 1435 мм. Линии синкансэна электрифицированы однофазным переменным током в 25 кВ и частотой в 60 Гц, на линиях мини-синкансэна напряжение составляет 20 кВ. «Синкансэн» использует передовые технологии, поэтому на этих линиях была достигнута не только высокая скорость, но и высокий уровень безопасности и комфортабельности.
Additional text
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