The newest train in Japan

2011-03-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

February 5, 2008 A new Shinkansen bullet train being built to go into service on the East Japan line will travel at up to 320 kilometers per hour (200 mph), making it the fastest rail service in Japan.

The cutting-edge Hayabusa, or Falcon, pulls a luxury carriage modeled on airline business class.
It made its official debut on 05th of mars 2011 with a trip to northern Japan departing from Tokyo.
The latest ultra-fast train, will make two trips a day between Tokyo and Aomori,a scenic rural backwater on the northern tip of the main Honshu island.It will also make one more trip a day to Sendai, between Tokyo and Aomori.

Passengers will glide quietly along the straight stretches and tunnels that cut through Japan's mountainous countryside.
And those willing to pay 26,360yen (£196) for a one-way trip can enjoy the comfort of a GranClass car, where a cabin attendant will serve them food and drinks in their deeply reclining leather seats on thick woollen carpets.

Step by Step back in the history of Norwegian trains

2011-02-15T14:10:00.000-08:00

NSB Class 73

Today we are going to have a closer look at train mark BM 73

The BM73 is technically a new EMU, and it reminds about the Danish EMU:s and German ICE-trains, the later with tilting equipment. BM 73 has an aerodynamic shape with smooth sheet surfaces. Instead of varying the number of middle cars, NSB can choose to use one or two multiple units together to form one train. The latter is often seen on Dovrebanen and Bergensbanen.

The background for the delivery of the BM73 was the need for shorter travelling time. A new generation tilting trains for long-haul service, as well as trains for the airport rail link to Oslo Airport , was ordered. Already at the end of the seventies, NSB planned for a new generation EMU:s but instead, NSB bought a new generation loco-hauled trains with a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).

The order of for six B-series trains was placed on December 15, 1999. Though technically almost identical to the A-series, these had a different interior configuration, with more seating (243 compared to 204). These were delivered in 2001-02 and put into use on Østfoldbanen as NSB Agenda trains. Until the repainting job started with the A-series, the B-series was easily distinguishable due to the red paint job.

And now for those of you who have decided to take a trip with BM73, I will show some useful information about what to expect as a comfort and services on board !
First some particular information:

All trains are NOT smoking

There are recycling points on all entry areas

All trains have spaces for wheelchairs available for advanced booking (entrance with wheelchair ramp and disabled WC)

Luggage racks by all entrances. Luggage can also be placed in the racks above the seats

All trains have 5 spaces for bicycles in the freight compartment. Spaces for bicycles should be booked in advance (carriage 4)

Passengers with dogs(carriage 4, seat 175–177)

Ski racks by all entrances. Skis must be packed before boarding. Ski bags are available at all large stations

Service information:

NSB KOMFORT (carriage 1)

          • Coffee and newspapers
          • Power for PC
          • Air conditioning

Carriage 2 and 3

• Standard seating
• Air conditioning

NSB MENY Kafé (carriage 2)

          • Dinner
          • Hot and cold light meals
          • Drinks
          • Snacks

Family (carriage 4)

          • Playroom with table for drawing, books and videos
          • Space for pram
          • Space for wheelchair
          • Seats for passengers with dogs
          • Air conditioning
And for much better overview you can see the following link , given to me in the comments from Vidar! http://home.no/toget/sk/sk_73.pdf

NSB Class 72

NSB Class 72 is a class of 36 electric multiple units built by Ansaldo Breda for the Norwegian State Railways . Delivered between 2002 and 2005, the four-car units operate on the Oslo Commuter Rail and the Jæren Commuter Rail . The trains have a capacity of 310 passengers and the 2,250 kilowatts (3,020 hp) motors allow a maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph). The trains were ordered in 1997, with original delivery dates in 2001 and 2002. NSB also had an option to buy 40 additional units.

The first scheduled service with a Class 72 train occurred on 8 August 2002 on the Jæren Commuter Rail. NSB stated that they had never previously spent so much time testing equipment before putting it into service, and that the Jæren had been chosen for the introduction because the single-line system was easier to operate than the services around Oslo. The company also stated that they hoped all the trains would be in service by the end of 2003. By January 2003, half the trains had been delivered, and were gradually being put into service on the Oslo Commuter Rail. However, on the Gardermoen Line the electronics from the train were interfering with the signaling systems, so the lights would switch from green to red before the train passed, instead of afterwards. This made it impossible for the NSB to put the train into service on Norway's only high-speed line. Another problem was that the trains would not close the doors if they were at a station without level tracks, although this was quickly solved.

By February 2003, only five of the trains were in operation. Four were being used on the Jæren Commuter Rail, while one was being used on the line between Moss and Spikkestad . A few were still in Italy, a few at the docks in Drammen, while most of the trains were stored at Sundland in Drammen where AnsaldoBreda had 40 Italian engineers working 60-hour shifts to make the trains work. At the time they were finishing one train per month. By June, all seven trains had been taken into use in Jæren, and the first four trains could be put into service on the route from Kongsberg via the Gardermoen Line to Eidsvoll. In January 2004, rust was found on the axles of the trains. NSB would not accept to take delivery of the last 18 units before this problem had been fixed, and stated that no more money would be paid to the manufacturer until all 36 trains were delivered and without defects. By 2004, Ansaldo and Breda had merged to AnsaldoBreda, while SLM had been bought by Bombardier Transportation. The latter would not the deliver the axles to AnsaldoBreda because of a disagreement between Bombardier and SLM's previous owner, Sultzer, regarding who was to pay for the axles. This caused Bombardier to cease all work with the delivery from mid-2003. In October 2004, the trains were put into service on the route between Moss and Spikkestad.

NSB Class 70

NSB Class 70 is a four-carriage electric multiple unit used by NSB for medium distance trains around Oslo. In particular they are used on the Dovre Line between Oslo and Leliehammer and on the Vestfold Line, operating the regional service between Lillehammer and Skien .
The units were built by Strømmen, with Duewag and ABB as suppliers. The chassis is built in aluminum, like the B7 passenger cars, and the units are capable of being multiple driven with the NSB Class 69 and other types of trains. The original seating was either 226 or 243, rebuilt to 230 and 235 with the conversion to Agenda.

The trains have had a fair number of technical difficulties, and on the Vestfold Line they also were of an unsuitable size; the ideal size needed was six cars, while the fixed construction required the use of either four or eight cars. From 2000-02 the trains were converted from the InterCity Express concept to the NSB Agenda concept, but also this latter branding attempt has been discontinued, and the services are now part of the regional services provided by NSB. With the delivery of the Class 73, the Class 70 has been focused on the Skien–Lillehammer run, while the 73-units are used on Østfoldbanen.
In 2010, Class 70 became the first Norwegian trains to be installed with wireless Internet, allowing passengers free access on the Lillehammer–Oslo–Skien route.
The trains of Class 70 offer the same services like the other regional trains.
NSB Komfort which is situated normally on the first car.There you get coffee, newspapers and charge you PC or mobile phone.
NSB Stille is on the last car , there you can relax, and get comfortable silent, which means that all electronic devices has to be switched off and keep the area quiet.
An fortunately this trains do not have food service on board , but you can find worm drinks and snacks automats.

NSB Class 69

NSB Class 69 is an electric multiple unit used by Norwegian State Railways for a variety of commuter trains on the Norwegian railway system , as well as a few medium distance and branch line trains. It is the most common type of trainset in Norway.

The first units were delivered on 1 November 1970, and the first series fifteen units (A-series) was put into service from Oslo Ø to Lillestrøm and Ski. The B-series was delivered a few years later, and used for longer lines, soon followed by more C-series units. The D-series was delivered in the 1980s and custom made for longer distances. The last series was delivered in 1993 as part of the stock for the 1994 Winters Olympic . All the original units consisted of twin-car sets, but from 1987 NSB ordered additional middle cars, to make three-car units. This allowed somewhat more flexibility, and NSB kept the A- and B-series as twin-cars so they could combine trains to make any number of cars needed between two and nine. The second two batches of D-series trains delivered in 1990 and 1993 were delivered with three cars.

Not until 1982 were the 69-units put into service outside the Oslo area. At first they were tried out on Flåm Line, then in 1984 on the Bergen Commuter Rail. From 1991 they were also used on the Stavanger Commuter Rail.

The newest train in Norway

2011-02-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

I start my blog with showing you the newest train in Norway.

Here the train is in Switzerland before to take it's journey to Norway

The new "Flirt" looks fancy and comfortable, but we have to wait almost an year until we can travel with it around the beautiful Norwegian nature !!!

Here is coming a part of the Norwegian railway system with one of the most popular destinations like Bergen, Trondheim and Kristiansand !

Here you can find a cart over the train!

http://home.no/toget/sk/sk_74_600.png