300X
"300X" was the name given to the Class 955 6-car experimental Shinkansen train developed in 1994 by the Central [Japan Railway Company] in Japan to test technology to be incorporated in future shinkansen trains operating at speeds of or higher.
Design
Manufacture of the train was shared among four different manufacturers, with a number of different body construction methods used. The two ends cars employed differing nose designs, and a number of pantograph shroud designs were tested over the lifetime of the trainset.Formation
Cars 2 and 5 were fitted with pantographs.955-1
End car with "cusp" nose design, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The body was constructed of rivetted Duralumin. This car had no passenger seats.955-2
The body was constructed by Nippon Sharyo using large hollow aluminium extrusions. This was the only car in the trainset to be fitted with passenger seats.955-3
This vehicle was constructed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries using spot-welded large aluminium extrusions and was fitted with active tilting.955-4
This vehicle was constructed by Nippon Sharyo using large hollow aluminium extrusions, similar to car 2, and was equipped with large side doors for installing and removing test equipment.955-5
This vehicle was constructed by Hitachi using aluminium honeycomb panels. This car had no seats.955-6
Hitachi-built end car with "wedge" nose design. The body was constructed of brazed aluminium honeycomb panels.History
The train was unveiled on 22 December 1994.Test-running on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen was delayed by track damage caused by the Great Hanshin earthquake in January 1995, but full-scale test-running commenced on 25 May 1995, between Maibara and Kyoto.
On 21 September 1995, the Class 955 train recorded a maximum speed of on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Maibara and Kyoto.
On 11 July 1996, the train recorded a maximum speed of, exceeding the previous national speed record of set in December 1993 by JR East's Class 952/953 "STAR21" experimental train.
On 26 July 1996, the train recorded a Japanese national speed record of on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Maibara and Kyoto. This record still stands.
The Class 955 trainset was officially withdrawn on 1 February 2002.