Train on Train

When the Hokkaido Shinkansen opened between {{STN|Shin-Aomori|x}} and {{STN|Shin-Hakodate|x}} in 2016, high-speed Shinkansen trains shared the dual gauge tracks through the Seikan Tunnel which links the main island of Honshu with Hokkaido. While in the tunnel, freight trains on the narrow-gauge {{RailGauge|1067mm}} rails are limited to {{Convert|110|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}. The "Train on Train" concept involved loading narrow-gauge KoKi 100 container wagons on to specially built standard-gauge wagons to allow operation at speeds of up to {{Convert|200|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. The speeds in the Seikan Tunnel were reported as having been increased to {{Convert|160|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} after extensive testing in 2014.{{Cite web |date=2014-04-16 |title=東京―新函館4時間10分 北海道新幹線、16年春開業 |url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDG16047_W4A410C1CC1000/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=日本経済新聞 |language=ja}}

File:Piggyback by the trainload rather than one wagon at a time is more efficient.gif

The "Train on Train" concept was announced in 2006{{cite news | script-title = ja:ＪＲ北海道坂本会長 在来線使い、札幌経由で | trans-title = JR Hokkaido chairman Sakamoto: Using conventional lines via Sapporo | newspaper = Tokachi Mainichi Newspaper | location = Japan | language = Japanese | date = 26 April 2006 | url = http://www.tokachi.co.jp/kachi/0604/04_26.htm | accessdate = 30 September 2009 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090705133331/http://www.tokachi.co.jp/kachi/0604/04_26.htm | archivedate = 5 July 2009}} and a full-size mockup vehicle was built and demonstrated at {{Ill|Naebo Works|ja|北海道旅客鉄道苗穂工場}} in 2007. While the next phase was to build a prototype train for actual operation this plan was never followed through on.{{Cite web |title=開発は凍結状態 貨車を新幹線に積む「トレイン・オン・トレイン」 - タタールのくにびき －蝦夷前鉄道趣味日誌－ |url=https://ishikari210.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-1377.html |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=ishikari210.blog.fc2.com}} beginning in 2010, JR Freight started developing a new Electric Locomotive, the Class EH800 to run on 20/25 kV AC to operate through the Seikan Tunnel.{{Cite web |author=JR Hokkaido |lang=ja |script-title=ja:整備新幹線小委員会ヒアリング資料 |url=https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/000193032.pdf }} These locomotives would have hauled "Train on Train" services through the tunnel. A "Forum 2050" presentation by JR Hokkaido in 2010 stated that using a "double traverser" arrangement would allow an entire train to be transferred to and from the '"Train on Train" wagons in approximately 10 minutes.{{cite news |date=1 February 2010 |script-title=ja:在来線貨車を１０分で新幹線に積み替え可能 |trans-title=Narrow-gauge wagons to be transferred to shinkansen in 10 minutes |url=http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/bullet_train/213317.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204011244/http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/bullet_train/213317.html |archivedate=4 February 2010 |accessdate=2 February 2010 |newspaper=Hokkaido Shimbun |publisher=The Hokkaido Shimbun Press |location=Japan |language=Japanese}} {{cite magazine| title = JR貨物 新幹線との供用走行専用の新型機関車を導入|trans-title=JR Freight to introduce new locomotives for inter-running with shinkansen|magazine=Tetsudō Daiya Jōhō Magazine | volume = 41| issue = 337| page =70| publisher = Kōtsū Shimbun | location = Japan | date = May 2012}} As of October 2024, the concept of "Train on Train" has not been implemented.

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• Gauge Change Train, an experimental Japanese train designed to operate on both narrow-gauge and standard-gauge routes
• Modalohr
• Piggyback (transportation)
• Roadrailer
• Rolling highway
• Variable gauge

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{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29q572dX5pI Animated video showing operation] {{in lang|ja}}

Category:Hokkaido Railway Company

Category:High-speed rail in Japan

Category:Seikan Tunnel

Category:Freight rolling stock