Stylized photograph of the improved SCMAGLEV train

Topics: Events | How Maglev Works | Northeast Maglev | SCMAGLEV

Central Japan Railway Introduces Improved SCMAGLEV Train

Now Even More Efficient

This week, Central Japan Railway Company introduced an improved version of the Series L0 (L-zero) SCMAGLEV train that will begin test runs toward the end of this May.

Central Japan Railway Company unveiled the Series L0 SCMAGLEV train to media in 2012, and the vehicles started test runs in 2013. The Series L0 set the Guinness World Record for fastest maglev train, recording speeds of 374.68 miles per hour (603 kilometers per hour), in 2015. Since renewal and extension of the Yamanashi Maglev Line in 2013, the SCMAGLEV train has traveled more than 1.3 million miles and hundreds of thousands of passengers have experienced the public ride.

The latest version of the Series L0, unveiled this week, improves on the L0 by reducing air resistance, power consumption, noise and emissions. The improved version includes:

Aerodynamic Front Shape

Photograph of the improved SCMAGLEV train
Central Japan Railway introduces the improved SCMAGLEV train – now even more efficient.

The improved front shape reduces air resistance by approximately 13 percent, which results in noise reduction and less power consumption.

Environmentally-friendly Inductive Power Collection System

The current Series L0 vehicle employs an inductive power collection system and a gas turbine generator to power onboard systems. The improved version has removed the gas turbine and fully employs an innovative inductive power collection system to draw electricity wirelessly from ground coils, enabling stable, contactless power transmission to the onboard equipment. The environmentally friendly system does not use fuels and has no exhaust emissions.

Diagram of the inductive power collection system used on the improved SCMAGLEV
An innovative inductive power collection system used to power all onboard systems.

A New Position of Head Light and Onboard Forward-Viewing Camera

A repositioning of the onboard, forward-viewing camera and headlights provides improved visibility.

Updated Vehicle Appearance

In Japan, the improved version of the Series L0 is receiving a new paint scheme as well. A revised blue streamline projects a sense of dynamism, continuous evolution, and smooth air flow.

Computer rendering of the improved SCMAGLEV train
A computer rendering of the improved SCMAGLEV train – showing off its new flowing paint scheme.