East Japan Railway Co. is exploring the possibility of introducing cargo-only cars to its Shinkansen services, specifically targeting the Tohoku, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines. These new cars, designed without passenger seats, are intended to improve freight transportation capabilities by offering smoother loading and unloading processes due to their larger doors. The company is even considering the concept of a dedicated Shinkansen train that solely carries cargo, signaling a potential shift in its service offerings towards enhanced freight transportation.
According to company sources, the development of cargo-only Shinkansen cars could revolutionize the transportation of high-value items such as luxury foods and precision machinery, thanks to the train's ability to swiftly transport goods with minimal disruption. This move is anticipated to significantly boost transportation capacities once dedicated cargo cars are realized. It has been noted that the last time a cargo-only Shinkansen car was deployed was back in 1964 when Japan's first bullet train service, the Tokaido Shinkansen Line, was launched.
One of the main challenges posed by this initiative is ensuring that the strength of the cargo-only car's body can withstand high-speed operations while accommodating enlarged doors for efficient loading and unloading. Engineers working on the Shinkansen line are actively engaged in addressing this technological hurdle. Additionally, to streamline operations and enhance passenger convenience, there is consideration for positioning the freight-only car as the first car in the train, thereby eliminating the need for passengers to pass through it. This strategic placement aims to optimize the cargo transportation process within the Shinkansen network.
In light of the decline in passenger numbers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, JR East initiated the Hako-byun freight transportation service, utilizing conventional bullet trains for cargo transportation in 2021. Following suit, other JR companies have expanded freight transportation services across the national Shinkansen network from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Despite these developments, the current services are limited to handling about 40 cardboard boxes at a time due to the utilization of spaces outside the passenger seating areas as a primary cargo storage location. As a step towards innovation, JR East has been trialing the transportation of goods within passenger cars starting in fiscal year 2023 using a cargo platform that fits between seats. However, challenges such as restricted cargo sizes and time-consuming loading and unloading procedures persist.