JR East to launch new bullet trains, cargo-only cars

Mar 06 (NHK) - East Japan Railway, or JR East, says it will launch new bullet trains with improved anti-earthquake features and other services in fiscal 2030.

It will also this year refit some existing bullet train passenger cars into cargo-only to meet growing demand for freight services.

The new E10 series will run on the Tohoku Shinkansen line, connecting Tokyo with destinations in northeastern Japan.

The trains will have the same top speed of 320 kilometers per hour as the existing E5 series.

The train's exterior will be painted in two shades of green, representing the natural scenery of the Tohoku region.

JR East says the E10 will come with technology to better absorb vibrations from earthquakes and reduce the risk of derailment.

Passenger cars in the new trains will have improved Wi-Fi and seats will have wider armrests and table space, as well as partitions, so travelers can work or study. Baggage areas will be expanded.

The company says it will start conducting test-runs for the E10 in late 2027 or later.

East Japan Railway President and CEO Kise Yoichi says "We'd like to provide seat services that make more effective use of travel time."

He also says "By adding these various functions to seat services this will increase the value of journey time."

Separately, JR East will turn seven retired E3-series passenger cars into freight-only. They will have a capacity of roughly 1,000 packages.

JR East says the cargo cars will be connected to a Tokyo-bound passenger bullet train on the Tohoku Shinkansen line.

The cargo service will be available on weekdays from autumn.

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