Doctor Yellow facts for kids
The Doctor Yellow trains are very special high-speed trains in Japan. They don't carry passengers like regular Shinkansen (bullet trains). Instead, their important job is to test the condition of the Shinkansen tracks and the overhead wires that power the trains. They make sure everything is safe and working perfectly for all the other bullet trains.
Their unique name comes from two things: their "doctor" role, because they check the health of the railway, and their bright yellow color. This yellow color with a blue stripe is actually the opposite of older test trains, which were blue with a yellow stripe! These special trains can travel just as fast as regular Shinkansen trains, reaching speeds of up to 270 kilometers per hour (about 168 miles per hour) on lines like the Tōkaidō Shinkansen.
Contents
What is Doctor Yellow?
Doctor Yellow trains are like mobile check-up centers for Japan's famous bullet train lines. They are designed to find any problems with the tracks, signals, and power systems before they become serious. This helps keep the Shinkansen network one of the safest and most reliable in the world.
There have been different models of Doctor Yellow trains over the years. Each new model brings updated technology to make the inspections even better. They are built to look similar to the passenger Shinkansen trains, but their insides are full of special equipment.
Why are these trains so important?
Imagine a road with tiny cracks or bumps that could cause problems for cars going very fast. The Shinkansen trains travel at incredible speeds, so even small issues on the tracks or with the power lines could be dangerous. Doctor Yellow trains help prevent this.
By regularly checking the entire network, they ensure that millions of passengers can travel safely every day. They help railway engineers fix problems quickly, often before anyone else even notices them. This constant checking is a big reason why Shinkansen trains are known for being on time and very safe.
How do they check the tracks?
Doctor Yellow trains are packed with amazing technology. They have special sensors that look at the shape of the tracks. These sensors can detect if the tracks are perfectly straight or if there are any tiny bumps or dips. Other equipment checks the overhead wires, making sure they are at the correct height and tension.
They also use cameras and other devices to inspect signals and communication systems along the railway. All the information collected is sent to computers onboard. Experts then analyze this data to identify any areas that need maintenance or repair. It's like a giant, super-fast health check for the railway!
Seeing a Doctor Yellow train
Because Doctor Yellow trains are used for maintenance and not for passengers, they run on special schedules, usually at night or during times when there are fewer regular trains. They are also quite rare, with only a few sets in operation. This makes spotting a Doctor Yellow train a very exciting event for train fans in Japan! Many people consider it good luck to see one.
Gallery
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JR West Class 922
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Class 923 JR West
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Class 925/0 JR East
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Class 925/10 JR East
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Preserved Class 922 at SCMaglev
Images for kids
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JR Central's Class 923 "Doctor Yellow" set T4 on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, September 2021
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Preserved Doctor Yellow car 922-26 inside the SCMaglev and Railway Park, March 2011
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JR Central Class 922 set T2, October 1998
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JR West Class 922 set T3, October 2004
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JR Central Class 923 set T4, April 2013
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JR West Class 923 set T5, July 2008
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Class 925 set S1, 1987
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Class 925-10 set S2, September 2002
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E926 East i train, August 2020
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Interior of car number 1 used to inspect signalling, communications and power
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Interior of car number 2 used to measure electricity
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Observation window in car number 3
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Seats in car number 5
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A meeting table in car number 6
