Kintetsu struggles on Free Gauge Train
www.asahi.com
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Kintetsu, One of the major private railways in Japan, unveiled their plan to research on Free Gauge Train, which can runs through different gauge tracks.
According to ministry of Land and Transportation, it's the first time for private railways to announce it. Kintetsu has the longest rail networks in major private railways in Japan, including a couple of gauges. To enhance usability by avoiding changing trains, the company focused on FGT.
Kintetsu envisages Limited Express connecting Kyoto and Yoshino, 83km long. Kashiharajingu-mae, an intermediate station is the station, where gauge changes from 1435mm to 1067mm, and then approximately 10 thousands passengers change trains everyday by way of underground passage.
Through trains will shorten travel time from current 100mins to 90mins.
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I guess it will be the long way for Kintetsu to do it, because even national institute has failed to develop FGT.
And, I wonder why Kintetsu can afford to research on it, even though it dismissed many branching railways.
