By AYATERU HOSOZAWA/ Staff Writer
October 21, 2025 at 07:00 JST
JR East’s “East i” train monitors rails and overhead wires to ensure the safe operation of Shinkansen lines in northern Japan. (Provided by East Japan Railway Co.)
A high-speed train that wasn’t designed to carry passengers is set to join the Shinkansen fleet in fiscal 2029.
The locomotive’s job will be to ensure that tracks on northern bullet train lines remain in tip-top condition. It has a maximum speed of 320 kph, matching that of the Hayabusa passenger service, the fastest in the business.
East Japan Railway Co. announced on Oct. 7 that it would replace its aging “East i” model with a next-generation safety vehicle based on the E11 series of the Akita Shinkansen.
The East i has served as JR East’s diagnostic train since 2002. Its job has been to inspect infrastructure across the Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku, Akita and Yamagata Shinkansen lines.
It ranks as JR East’s counterpart to the popular “Doctor Yellow” inspection train, which operates on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines in central and western Japan.
The current East i model, distinguished by a white body and red trim, is built on the E3 series platform. It has a top speed of 275 kph.
Its successor will incorporate artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge digital technologies.
On its runs, the locomotive will monitor overhead wire fittings and rail distortions. JR East is also considering an autonomous version at a later date.
JR East President Yoichi Kise underscored the necessity of a dedicated inspection train, given that each Shinkansen line has unique vehicle specifications and includes sections that connect with conventional rail.
“Using specialized vehicles with the latest technologies for inspections is the most efficient approach to ensure safe operations,” he said.
Central Japan Railway Co’s T4 Doctor Yellow inspection train was retired earlier this year, and West Japan Railway Co.’s T5 will follow suit in fiscal 2027, ending dedicated inspection runs on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines.
Future inspections will be done by the latest N700S passenger trains, which will integrate safety checks into regular service runs.
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