New Japanese bullet train w/retractable cat-ears

[antonioledesma]

New bullet train could be world's fastest Fastech shinkansen features emergency air spoilers and cruises at 360 kph

another TGV a la japanese. and it looks great. It could be at service around 2011
I'm sure RC will say that any american bathtub with the proper modifications can cruise at 360kph but it wont have those cat ears!!

but look at those cat-ear-shaped air-brakes. Another car-industry technique applied into another industry


http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/...20050625a1.htm

[Toronto]

is it japanese or built for japan another country

[RC45]

The train is equipped with a new air-brake system that deploys in the event of an earthquake or other emergency. The retractable cat ear-shaped spoilers that can protrude from the roof are expected to help slow the train more quickly than conventional brakes. Each train has only one pantograph to reduce noise, down from two each on the current bullet trains. The test runs between Sendai and Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, will be conducted at a maximum speed of 405 kph.

I am guessing an earthquake at 405km/h wouldn't be good

[TransAm]

Are airbrakes not an aero industry technique?

Other than that, all I have to say is... meow!

@RC - I am guessing shockwaves travel at the speed of sound? Now if it could do 1300km/h and it was travelling away from the epicentre

[antonioledesma]

Originally Posted by Toronto is it japanese or built for japan another country

japanese built for Japan.

it would be great to ride one of those things, but as RC says... an earthquake might not be too good for your health

[lev_p]

Now if it could do 1300km/h and it was travelling away from the epicentre

That would be a Hollywood movie