Japan unveils new Graceful Super Express trains

Express services will begin in March 2018

The new trains will be operational in March

The Odakyu Electric Railway in Japan revealed its new series 70,000 Graceful Super Express trains for the Romancecar limited express service.

It was unveiled to the world on 5 December, but services will begin in full in March 2018, running on the Odakyu Odawara line between Shinjuku station in Tokyo, Odawara, Enoshima, Tama New Town and Hakone.

Japanese manufacturer Nippon Sharyo will supply two of the seven-car trains.

This particular model seats 400 passengers in each 142m-long train and will feature one 16-seat observation saloon with panoramic 1m-high windows at either end, designed for passengers to fully appreciate the landscape.

Individual train cars have electro-hydraulic full-active suspension to reduce vibration from side to side, plus luggage racks and under-seat storage designed to fit flight carry-on sized bags for those coming to or from the airport.

Universal design has also been a consideration during the project, with use of braille and easier wheelchair access both proposed as part of the design.

Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi and a multi-purpose break-out room, which can be used by women breastfeeding or travellers who feel unwell, among others.

The total cost of the two trains is estimated to be around ¥4bn (£26m).

This comes after the news in September that the Russian government is proposing an 8,400 mile route connecting London to Tokyo by train. The project would involve constructing a 28-mile bridge across the East Sea.

Beginning in London, the train would take travellers through the heart of Russia before concluding in Wakkanai, Japan.

Passengers would also pass through the Siberian Mountains before reaching the proposed bridge, a blueprint for the route shows.

Reportedly keen to boost investment in the eastern parts of Russia, Putin is in serious talks with Japanese officials to kickstart the project.

The plans were revealed at Russia’s Eastern Economic Forum, hosted by Putin in Vladivostok.

Currently, travellers can take the Trans-Siberian railway from Beijing through Mongolia and onto Moscow, arriving in the Russian capital in as little as 15 days.