The Class 961 train was developed to test new technology and design features to be incorporated in future high-speed trains for use on the planned Tōhoku Shinkansen and Jōetsu Shinkansen routes in the north-east of Japan. It featured motors in all six cars and was designed to cope with operations in the cold and snowy conditions of north-eastern Japan.
A number of interior accommodation configurations were tested, including a restaurant car, compartments, and sleeping berths.
Formation
The set, designated "S3", was formed as follows.[3]
Built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Standard seating car based on the 0 series configuration.
961-3
Built by Nippon Sharyo. Restaurant car interior was added at Hamamatsu Works in 1974.[1]
961-4
Built by Nippon Sharyo. Sleeping car accommodation was added at Hamamatsu Works in 1974, including 4-berth semi-open couchette compartments, longitudinally arranged sleeping berths and deluxe sleeping compartments.[1]
961-5
Built by Hitachi. This car was used exclusively for test equipment. It had no side windows and instead had four large doorways on each side for installing and removing equipment.
961-6
Built by Hitachi. Standard seating car based on the 0 series configuration.
From 16 September 1974, the train was tested on the unopened section of the Sanyō Shinkansen between Okayama and Fukuyama, but the maximum speed was limited to 210km/h (130mph) due to opposition from lineside residents related to noise levels. The train was put into storage following the opening of the Sanyō Shinkansen extension in March 1975.[1]
On 11 May 1979, the Class 961 was transferred from storage at Ōi Depot in Tokyo (now JR Central's Tokyo No. 2 Shinkansen Depot) by road to the shinkansen depot at Oyama in Tochigi Prefecture for use on the "Oyama Test Track" section of the Tōhoku Shinkansen then under construction. Test running started on 5 June 1979, and the lettering "高速試験車" (High-Speed Test Train) was added to the nose section of the train from 9 June.[1]
On 7 December 1979, the Class 961 recorded a world speed record of 319km/h (198mph) on the Oyama Test Track, breaking the previous world record of 286km/h (178mph) set by the Class 951 Shinkansen in 1972.[6]
Following the opening of the Tōhoku Shinkansen in 1981, the Class 961's role as a test train ended, and it was stored at Sendai Shinkansen Depot. It was officially withdrawn on 10 August 1990.[3]
Preservation
Car 961-1 at Sendai Shinkansen Depot in July 2009
End cars 961-1 and 961-6 are preserved outdoors at Sendai Shinkansen Depot. These cars have been repainted into "Tōhoku Shinkansen" ivory and green livery.[7] A brass plaque commemorating the world speed record of 319km/h (198mph) set by this train in 1979 is displayed inside car 951-1 at Kokubunji in Tokyo.
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