World’s Longest 150-Meter Rail Departs for Hokkaido on Freight Train

Apr 19, 2025 | News On Japan

KYUSHU, Apr 19, 2025 (News On Japan) - Transportation of a 150-meter railway rail—the longest in the world—manufactured at a steelworks in Kitakyushu City, began on April 18th. The rail will be delivered to Hokkaido over the course of about four days for use in the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension project.

The 150-meter-long rail, produced by Japan Steel Works’ Kyushu facility in Kitakyushu, was loaded onto a freight train. Its destination is Oshamambe Town in Hokkaido, approximately 2,100 kilometers away, where it will be used in the construction of the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension between Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station and Sapporo Station.

Until now, rails were typically cut into 30-meter sections and transported by ship or trailer. However, with a new storage facility now in place in Hokkaido, it has become possible to transport the full 150-meter rail as is.

Despite its extraordinary length, the rail is secured at just one yellow support point. Its design allows it to flex along the curvature of the track, ensuring smooth transportation.

One major advantage of transporting the rails in their full length is that it eliminates the need for welding on site. This streamlines construction and also contributes to addressing the labor shortage in logistics, as the freight train drivers can relay the cargo along the journey.

Source: FBS

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