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What does the design of the new train for the “Shinano” limited express connecting Nagoya and Nagano look like? On May 12th, JR Central unveiled a test vehicle of the “385 series.” It will be the successor to the “383 series,” which will run between Nagoya and Nagano as the “Shinano” limited express.
The seats have been carefully designed with attention to color and comfort. The seats in the ordinary cars are a green color that evokes the “comfort of nature,” inspired by the forests of Kiso. The Green Car seats are inspired by the sunrise over the Northern Alps and gentians. The seats also have a special feature!
(Reporter Sumire Hirano) “The Green Car seats are 3-seat rows and are quite wide, creating a spacious and comfortable environment.” In the Green Car, the “back shell type,” which does not encroach on the seat behind even when the backrest is reclined, will be adopted for the first time on JR Central’s conventional lines. Next-generation tilting technology is used to improve ride comfort The “Shinano” limited express, which runs through mountainous areas, is a tilting train that tilts its body on curves, but the 385 series uses sensors to accurately determine the position of the curve. The train will utilize next-generation tilting technology to improve ride comfort.
(Goro Shimizu, General Manager of Rolling Stock Department, JR Central) “While inheriting the high running performance of the 383 series, we are aiming for a higher level of comfort, ride quality, and in-car environment.” After conducting running tests for approximately one year starting May 13th, the mass-production vehicles will be designed, with the aim of commencing service around fiscal year 2029.
