Japan is looking at the possibility of introducing high speed ‘cargo bullet’ trains for use on lines shared with Shinkansen services.
The 33 mile long Seikan tunnel, that connects Hokkaido with northern Honsu, is expected to see the Hokkaido Shinkansen introduced in 2015.
The tunnel already has 42 freight trains pass through it every day and reducing these is not practical as it would have a severe impact on freight distribution within Japan.
It is necessary to introduce a high speed freight service on the route because the wind turbulence generated by a passing Shinkansen has the ability to derail a freight train which can be avoided if the freight train travels at a similar speed to the Shinkansen.
