Japan’s First Cargo-Only Bullet Train to Launch, Connecting Tokyo and Morioka

Japan’s first cargo-only bullet train will begin operations this fall, linking Tokyo and Morioka for faster freight transport. East Japan Railway Co. is modifying an E3 series Shinkansen for this purpose. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Cargo-Only Bullet Train to Improve Freight Transport

The company expects demand for precision equipment and premium fresh fish deliveries. This freight-dedicated train will offer smoother and faster transportation compared to standard cargo trains currently in use.

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Some Shinkansen trains carry cargo in available spaces near passenger seating areas. The new cargo-only bullet train will handle larger goods and significantly boost freight shipping capacity across the network.

Japan’s Freight-Only Shinkansen Marks a Historic First

A senior JR East official confirmed that the remodeled train will operate alongside a passenger Shinkansen. This project introduces Japan’s first freight-exclusive bullet train since the Tokaido Shinkansen Line launched in 1964.

JR East plans to develop a purpose-built freight Shinkansen featuring wider doors for more efficient loading and unloading operations. The company opted for an E3 retrofit because designing a new train would take longer.

The E3 series currently operates as the Tsubasa on the Yamagata Shinkansen Line, linking Tokyo with Shinjo. Last year, JR East began replacing the E3 series with the latest E8 model to improve service quality.

Source: www.asahi.com

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