Fire Breaks Out in Maglev Test Train at Yamanashi Facility — No Injuries Reported
On May 21, a fire broke out in a maglev train undergoing maintenance at the Chuo Shinkansen test center in Tsuru City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
JR Central has canceled scheduled test runs for May 22 and 23 and is investigating the cause and details of the incident in cooperation with local police.
Around 6:30 p.m., an employee reported seeing smoke coming from a stationary vehicle at the test center’s depot in Asahisobe, Tsuru. When firefighters arrived, there were no visible flames, and the fire was confirmed to be extinguished about 30 minutes later. No one was injured.
According to JR Central, the fire started in a test train that had just completed a run and was parked in the depot. While turning off the power supply in the lead car, smoke and flames were noticed coming from the power unit.
The affected equipment is now being repaired, and test operations will resume only after safety has been fully confirmed.
A similar incident occurred six years ago at the same facility, in which three people were injured. However, JR Central noted that the circumstances and equipment involved in the current case are different.
JR Central’s Tokyo PR office stated, “We will thoroughly investigate the cause and take all necessary measures.”
Info based on NHK Japan: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOFD ... 5A5000000/ 2025-05-22
[JP] Fire Breaks Out in Maglev Test Train at Yamanashi Facility
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Miss Maglev
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[JP] No Maglev Test Runs Scheduled from May 24–31 Following Onboard Fire
No Maglev Test Runs Scheduled from May 24–31 Following Onboard Fire — Yamanashi Test Track
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Photo from https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/uty/ ... ?display=1 Accessed 2025-05-03
JR Central has announced that no test runs will be conducted on the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line between May 24 and 31, following a fire incident involving a maglev train.
On May 21, after a test run, a fire broke out during an inspection at the train depot when sparks and smoke were seen coming from an onboard power unit.
In response, JR Central canceled test runs scheduled for May 22 and 23. As of May 23, the company confirmed that no further test runs are planned through the end of the month.
Future test operations will resume only after repairs are completed and safety is fully confirmed.
Info based on https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/uty/ ... ?display=1 Accessed 2025-05-03
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- 2025-05-23_tbs
Photo from https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/uty/ ... ?display=1 Accessed 2025-05-03
JR Central has announced that no test runs will be conducted on the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line between May 24 and 31, following a fire incident involving a maglev train.
On May 21, after a test run, a fire broke out during an inspection at the train depot when sparks and smoke were seen coming from an onboard power unit.
In response, JR Central canceled test runs scheduled for May 22 and 23. As of May 23, the company confirmed that no further test runs are planned through the end of the month.
Future test operations will resume only after repairs are completed and safety is fully confirmed.
Info based on https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/uty/ ... ?display=1 Accessed 2025-05-03
[JP] Cause of Fire in Maglev Test Train at Yamanashi Facility
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Maglev Fire Caused by Short Circuit from Damaged Cable – Test Runs to Resume
Last month, a fire broke out on a maglev train at the Linear Chuo Shinkansen Test Center in Yamanashi Prefecture during an inspection. On June 10, JR Central announced that the cause was a short circuit resulting from damage to a cable connected to the superconducting magnet, which powers the maglev.
The incident occurred on May 21 at the test center in Tsuru City. After a test run, while the train was being inspected, a fire and smoke were seen when the power unit of the lead car was turned off. No injuries were reported.
Following the fire, JR Central suspended all test runs and began an investigation. They determined that a thin cable—about 1 millimeter in diameter—attached loosely to the superconducting magnet had been damaged, possibly due to vibration during operation, causing a short circuit and the resulting fire.
In response, JR Central has now modified the cable installation so that it is tightly fixed to the superconducting magnet to prevent future damage. Test runs are scheduled to resume on June 17. The company stated it will further reinforce safety during inspection procedures.
Info based on NHK, https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/202506 ... 81000.html Accessed June 10, 2025
Maglev Fire Caused by Short Circuit from Damaged Cable – Test Runs to Resume
Last month, a fire broke out on a maglev train at the Linear Chuo Shinkansen Test Center in Yamanashi Prefecture during an inspection. On June 10, JR Central announced that the cause was a short circuit resulting from damage to a cable connected to the superconducting magnet, which powers the maglev.
The incident occurred on May 21 at the test center in Tsuru City. After a test run, while the train was being inspected, a fire and smoke were seen when the power unit of the lead car was turned off. No injuries were reported.
Following the fire, JR Central suspended all test runs and began an investigation. They determined that a thin cable—about 1 millimeter in diameter—attached loosely to the superconducting magnet had been damaged, possibly due to vibration during operation, causing a short circuit and the resulting fire.
In response, JR Central has now modified the cable installation so that it is tightly fixed to the superconducting magnet to prevent future damage. Test runs are scheduled to resume on June 17. The company stated it will further reinforce safety during inspection procedures.
Info based on NHK, https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/202506 ... 81000.html Accessed June 10, 2025