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New Linear Test Vehicle Features Gold Line on Unpainted Body
Linear Shinkansen

JR Central unveiled the design of its new test vehicle for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen, scheduled for introduction in the summer of 2025. The new model, named “M10,” will be an intermediate car positioned between the leading cars of the existing “L0” series and its improved variants. The vehicle features an unpainted aluminum alloy body adorned with a sleek gold line, symbolizing the swift flow of light. By reducing the amount of paint used, JR Central expects to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately 9 tons.

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Source: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOFD ... 0C2000000/ Accessed: February 20, 2025

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Source: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOFD ... 0C2000000/ Accessed: February 20, 2025

Introducing the “M10” – A Symbol of Innovation and Efficiency

The new model is designated “M10” to signify its role as the tenth intermediate car introduced in the series. The exterior boasts a riblet surface texture resembling sharkskin, designed to minimize air resistance. Additionally, the bulges surrounding the superconducting magnet-equipped bogies have been streamlined. When applied to a full 16-car formation, as anticipated for commercial use, this design can reduce air resistance by about 1%.
High-Temperature Superconducting Magnets for Enhanced Efficiency

The M10 is specifically designed for high-temperature superconducting magnets, eliminating the need for expensive liquid helium used for cooling in existing models. By removing the structure required to store liquid helium, the vehicle’s components have been simplified, contributing to a more efficient design.

The interior design has also been refreshed. The seats, previously light blue, have been changed to a calming shade of brown, and the walls are now white, creating a tranquil atmosphere. However, JR Central emphasized that these modifications are purely for the test vehicle and do not necessarily reflect the final design specifications for commercial models. Currently, there are no plans for public test rides.

Focus on Cost Efficiency, Comfort, and Environmental Sustainability

During the press conference, President Shunsuke Niwa stated that future vehicle development would prioritize cost reduction, passenger comfort, and minimizing environmental impact.

Source: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOFD ... 0C2000000/ Accessed: February 20, 2025

"Sharkskin" Linear Train to Debut: JR Central Unveils New Vehicle "M10," Reducing Air Resistance and Power Consumption


JR Central announced on February 20 that it will launch a new vehicle, an improved version of the test vehicle for the Linear Chūō Shinkansen. The vehicle features a "riblet film," a groove structure that mimics the texture of shark skin, applied to its surface. This design is said to reduce air resistance compared to the previous model. The new vehicle is expected to start running on the Yamanashi Linear Test Track around the summer of 2025.

• "Riblet film" refers to a special film applied to the train's surface that has grooves or ridges mimicking the texture of shark skin. The unique pattern of shark skin has been found to reduce drag (air resistance) when the shark moves through water. Similarly, by applying this texture to the train's body, the aim is to reduce air resistance as the train moves through the air. This allows the train to move more efficiently, requiring less energy and improving speed.

The newly unveiled intermediate car "M10" incorporates development results aimed at reducing environmental impact. In addition to using the riblet film, improvements to the shape around the bogies reduce air resistance by approximately 1% (equivalent to 16 cars), which in turn lowers power consumption.

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Graphics from https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles ... ws206.html Accessed February 21, 2025

• Air Resistance Reduced by Approximately 1% (Equivalent to 16 Cars): This is a specific metric showing how much the design changes reduce air resistance. The train has been designed so that the changes to the body and bogies result in a 1% reduction in air resistance compared to previous models. To give a sense of the scale: the reduction in air resistance is equivalent to the drag produced by 16 cars (as if there were 16 additional cars added to the train). This comparison emphasizes how much energy can be saved by reducing the drag on the entire train.

In addition, the design has switched to a "high-temperature superconducting magnet" that cools magnets directly with a refrigeration system, eliminating the need for liquid helium. This change simplifies the internal structure of the magnets and improves the vehicle’s components, aiming for cost reductions.

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Graphics from https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles ... ws206.html Accessed February 21, 2025

• In essence, the design change to high-temperature superconducting magnets means the train no longer needs the expensive and complex liquid helium cooling system. Instead, it can use a more affordable and simple refrigeration system, making the entire setup more cost-effective. This reduction in complexity and cost helps improve the overall vehicle design, making it easier to maintain and operate while ensuring that the powerful magnetic systems still perform at their best. With the new, high-temperature superconducting magnets, the system becomes not only more energy-efficient and faster but also more cost-effective. The ability to eliminate liquid helium and reduce the complexity of the cooling system is a huge step forward in making this technology more accessible and scalable for commercial use.

Summary:
The M10 train car uses advanced aerodynamic designs (like the shark-skin-inspired riblet film and better bogie shapes) to reduce air resistance. These modifications make the train more energy-efficient, requiring less power to operate, which contributes to its environmental sustainability.


Info based on https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles ... ws206.html Accessed February 21, 2025

As the higher temperature magnets make it easier to make overnight container trains for big countries I put it here.

https://forums.aeva.asn.au/viewtopic.ph ... 0&start=25

Stage one is only to kill trucks and planes between Melbourne and Sydney earning $1.4b p/a and making daytime fares only $10.

Palletised freight is often picked up with rigid trucks through the day and then loaded onto semitrailers for the trip interstate and what I had in mind was a freight siding where the containers are loaded.

The reverse would happen at the other end with electric semitrailers taking the containers straight to the transport people before sun up while the roads are clear so smaller rigid trucks can deliver the freight.

https://youtu.be/ZZ43sWIpCWQ