И. А. Курбасова Е. И. Силантьева

TEXT В. THE BULLET TRAIN IN OPERATION

(1) October 1, 1964 was a remarkable day in the history of the Japanese National Railways (J.N.R.). It was on that day that the world's fastest Shinkansen² trunk line between Tokyo and Shin (new) Osaka was put into service. Since that time the network of the Shinkansen lines has been considerably expanded. The successful development of this system is due to numerous modifications both in the roll­ing stock and in the track.

(2) The most desirable goal in creating the Shinkansen system was the operation of trains at super-high speeds. To achieve it the J.N.R. has succeeded in designing a train capable of running at 210 kph and abovejThe so-called "bullet" train (called thus on account of Tfs stream-lined shape and a super-high speed) is similar in some respects to conventional trains. However, a number of technological improvements made in its design are worth speaking about.
(3) To begin with, the bullet train is far more power­ful than other J.N.R's trains. This is due to the increased number of traction motors which are distributed along the whole train. In fact, every other car³ is fitted with a trac­tion motor. In spite of numerous gradients (подъем) en­countered on the route the bullet train is able to climb (преодолевать) them at a high speed thus cutting down considerably the journey time, i
(4) Another technological''advance to be mentioned is the reduction of the train's weight. Made of light alloy, each car weighs only 7.5 tons.
(5) While developing the bullet train an attempt was also made to ensure the reliable working of the train in various weather conditions. So now the Shinkansen trains are successfully operating in different climatic zones unaf­fected by snow, storms or rain.
(6) The problem of current collection causes a lot of troubles on high-speed lines, that is why the design of the pantograph⁴ for the bullet train had to be perfected.
(7) As to safety it is one of the most characteristic features of the Shinkansen system. In order to ensure safe train operation, the J.N.R. regularly runs specially de­signed test cars to inspect the track and the electrical power supply equipment.