Japan Earthquakes derail bulet train

[AmtrakWPK]

From Sunday NYTimes: ... "The most powerful registered 6.8 in magnitude, one of the strongest in recent decades, according to Japan Meteorological Agency.

The vertical and horizontal shocks caused houses to collapse and derailed a Shinkansen bullet train for the first time. " ...

Here's what caught my eye: "Although a bullet train partially derailed in Niigata, there were no injuries among the 150 passengers. It was the first time the train had been derailed since services began in 1964, according to the Transport Ministry."

First derailment since 1964 ???? 40 YEARS!! How many do we have per WEEK (per DAY?) here in the U.S.? Pretty strong indictment of the criminal neglect of our rail infrastructure, I'd say.

 

[battalion51]

But look at where most of the Japanese transportation options are, rail. There are very few if any air shuttles or cross country flights in Japan. The U.S. meanwhile concentrates on its air and road travel, not on its rails.

 

[AmtrakWPK]

And look at the mess we're in because of it.

 

[PRR 60]

But look at where most of the Japanese transportation options are, rail. There are very few if any air shuttles or cross country flights in Japan. The U.S. meanwhile concentrates on its air and road travel, not on its rails.

Actually, there are a lot of intra-Japan flights operating in a shuttle-like capacity and the flights are heavily used. Check out Tokyo to Osaka. Despite direct competition from the train, there are flights operating on better than an hourly basis from both JAL and ANA. JAL alone has more than 20 flights each way daily, and most use wide-body aircraft with high-density seating.

There is no question that rail, and in particular the Shinkansen "Bullet Trains", are an important part of Japan’s domestic transportation. In that same Tokyo - Osaka route, JR runs six trains an hour during the day. The bottom line is that rail and air each contribute to transportation in Japan, not one in the absence of the other.