CONSTRUCTION of a new maintenance depot for the Chuo Shinkansen maglev train fleet was marked with a traditional safety prayer ceremony in Nakatsugawa City, Japan, one of two sites where a depot will be constructed.
The Chubu General Train Depot is being constructed by a joint venture consisting of Kajima Corporation, JR Tokai Construction Company and Tobishima Corporation and it is due to be completed by September 30 2025.
The contract for the 2000m-long, 400m-wide depot was awarded on March 18 2020, with the site set to cover 50 hectares.
In addition to facilities such as maintenance and inspection roads, Chubu depot will have a factory where new rolling stock will be assembled and overhauled.
The other maintenance depot will be constructed at Sagamihara to the west of Tokyo.
The 286km line will run between Shinagawa in Tokyo and Nagoya, and 90% of the route will be underground. Trains will operate at speeds of more than 500km/h and the new line is due to open in 2027.
