romana

Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion

By Muza-chan on Mar 1, 2010 | In Web | 31 feedbacks »

Not long ago, I wrote about the reduced lifespan of Japanese trains, approx. 15 years (7 Reasons Why Japanese Trains Are Different).
Perhaps the best illustration of this principle was the retiring from service of the 500 series Shinkansen, yesterday, after less than 13 years in the Nozomi service of JR West.

500 Series Shinkansen
500 Series Shinkansen Image via: Wikipedia

Announced in 1994, the Shinkansen 500 series was built between 1995 and 1998, totalizing 9 train sets. The trains distinctive shape was based on a futuristic design made for Hitachi by the German designer Neumeister, back in 1990.

500 Series Shinkansen
500 Series Shinkansen Image via: Wikipedia

The service started in March 1997 and although it was designed to be capable of 320km/h, the 500 series was operated at the maximum speed of 300km/h, on the Sanyō Shinkansen line and at “only” 275km/h on the Tōkaidō line.

Since this was the first train in the world to attain, in service, the top speed of 300 kilometers per hour (in 1997), I perfectly understand the fans who gathered yesterday in Tokyo, Osaka and other stations, to say goodbye to a marvelous piece of Japanese railway technology.

The Shinkansen 500 series will remain in operation as the slower Kodama service, between Osaka and Hakata.

Sayōnara!

Fans in Shin-Osaka Station:

You may also like:

7 Reasons Why Japanese Trains Are Different
New E5 Shinkansen at Start
7 Reasons Why Japanese Trains Are Different New E5 Shinkansen at Start

Send your feedback

 ... did you enjoy this article?

Help me spread the word!  




 ohsweetBloG
On Twitter:
Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]
03/01/10 @ 14:22
 AlexCarbune
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]
03/01/10 @ 14:27
 e_takong
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]// เลิกใช้ซะแล้ว
03/01/10 @ 14:30
 show_55
On Twitter:
@Muzachan Not to lament. 500 series survive as JR-West local Kodama ;)
03/01/10 @ 14:38
 kun_san
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]
03/01/10 @ 14:39
 fabusca
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]
03/01/10 @ 14:53
 yamada25
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of the champion [link]
03/01/10 @ 14:56
 ariko
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]
03/01/10 @ 15:09
 uberVU - social comments
Social comments and analytics for this post
This post was mentioned on Twitter by ohsweetBloG: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion http://bit.ly/9uqf9W
03/01/10 @ 15:13
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://www.muza-chan.net
@show_55

Oh, not lamenting! :) I think it's a great ending... :D
03/01/10 @ 15:20
 show_55
On Twitter:
@Muzachan Good! :) Thanks to your reply. I like 500 series especially, too.
03/01/10 @ 15:21
 BlogLinkJapan
On Twitter:
Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion: [link] #JBlogs
03/01/10 @ 15:44
 liamgarvey
On Twitter:
RT @BlogLinkJapan Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion: [link] <-- Can we have it...!?
03/01/10 @ 16:22
 Tornadoes28 · http://toshogu.blogspot.com
That is an awesome looking train. Interesting how they retire the trains so often in Japan. In the US, they would try and use the train for as long as possible before retiring. Maybe 20 or 25 years.
03/01/10 @ 18:31
 betty manousos · http://cutand-dry.blogspot.com
That is an incredible train!
Thanks for sharing with us.
And thanks so much for becoming a follower of CUT AND DRY.
I'm following back your so interesting site:)
Betty
03/01/10 @ 20:33
 brian305
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - Retirement of a Champion. This is being retired?? [link]
03/01/10 @ 20:39
 brian Email · http://www.curiousjapan.blogspot.com
Thanks for the nice post Muza chan! Can't believe they are retiring the 500! It still looks futuristic. Wonder what will replace it and will it go to a museum.
03/01/10 @ 20:43
 Muza-chan [Member] Email · http://www.muza-chan.net
It still looks futuristic, but the design is already 20 years old... :)
It will be replaced by the N700 series, but for now it won't go into museum, it'll be used on slower service.
03/01/10 @ 20:54
 japanobserver
On Twitter:
Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]
03/01/10 @ 22:02
 photojoy · http://mummekkan.blogspot.com/
Oh, were you there among the trains fans too??? Nice post!
03/02/10 @ 04:31
 purplehayz
On Twitter:
Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion (#Japan) [link]
03/02/10 @ 06:50
 LuciF
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]
03/02/10 @ 09:33
 michichan
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]
03/02/10 @ 09:35
 w3sgj
On Twitter:
michichan: RT @Muzachan: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link] [link]
03/02/10 @ 09:52
 Aki Hayakawa Email · http://akisabsurdity.wordpress.com
I remember when this model was brand new. Time goes by as quick as a shinkansen. a great post, thanks!
03/02/10 @ 10:54
 IH39
On Twitter:
Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link] via @Muzachan
03/02/10 @ 11:16
 JapanInfoNet
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]
03/02/10 @ 13:14
 shadi
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan: Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]
03/02/10 @ 13:51
 WaldoKanto
On Twitter:
Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link] #trains #japan
03/02/10 @ 14:23
 asiaimages
On Twitter:
RT @Muzachan Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link]
03/03/10 @ 00:23
 asiaimages
On Twitter:
RT @LuciF Sayonara Shinkansen 500 - The Retirement of a Champion [link] via @Muzachan
03/08/10 @ 00:04

Leave a comment


Your email address will not be revealed on this site.
 If you have a gravatar, it will be automatically displayed.

Your URL will be displayed.
:) :D :p B) ;) :> :roll: :oops: :| :-/ :( :'( :>> |-| :lalala: :crazy: >:XX :wave:
(Line breaks become <br />)
(Name, email & website)
(Allow users to contact you through a message form (your email will not be revealed.)

Trackback URL (right click and copy shortcut/link location)