►►Japan's new Mini Bullet train which will run to Akita.
Picture: skyscrapercity.com◀◀
A new generation of mini Bullet trains is being built and will enter service in March next year on the line to Akita in northern Japan.
The country's high speed Bullet trains are famous throughout the world but mini Bullet trains also operate over upgraded narrow gauge lines.
The 3'6" gauge line (the same size as most lines in South Africa) from Morioka to Akita was relaid with standard gauge track in 1997, but the loading gauge remained the same.
After 16 years of operation with the first generation of trains, new trains built by Hitachi and Kawasaki will start running to Akita in March.
The new Super Komachi train was presented to the public and press at Rifu, in Miyagi prefecture.
The 190 mph mini Bullet trains join up with full size Bullet trains at Morioka to provide a through service to Tokyo which will take three hours 45 minutes.
The Akita line was out of action for about a week after the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.
The new mini Bullet trains are already operating on the Yamagata line.
Information from the Tokyo Times and Railway Gazette