Taiwan High Speed Rail has taken delivery of the first of 12 N700ST trains ordered from Japan, the new generation of rolling stock intended for the Taipei–Kaohsiung high-speed line. The first train arrived by sea at the port of Kaohsiung and, following scheduled tests over the coming months, is set to enter commercial service in 2027. Once the entire fleet has been delivered, capacity during peak hours is expected to increase by 25 per cent.
The first N700ST train destined for Taiwan’s high-speed network arrived at the port of Kaohsiung on Saturday, 15 August, after being shipped from Japan.
The train is the first of 12 sets, each comprising 12 railcars ordered by Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) from a Japanese consortium led by Hitachi and Toshiba.
The train’s arrival was marked by a ceremony held at the port itself, attended by Taiwan’s Minister of Transport, Chen Shih-kai, the Mayor of Kaohsiung, Chen Chi-mai, the Chairman of THSRC, Shih Che, as well as representatives from Japan and the companies involved in the project.
The first railcar was lifted from the ship’s hold and lowered onto a road platform; the operation to unload the entire train is scheduled to take two days.
Three days’ transport to the depot, then testing begins
After unloading, the 12 railcars will be transported by road, overnight, to the Yanchao main depot, an operation scheduled to take place over three nights.
There, assembly, inspections and preparation of the train for operation will begin.
According to Taiwan High Speed Rail, assembly and static tests are expected to be completed by November 2026. This will be followed by the dynamic testing programme, divided into three stages and comprising 69 tests, ranging from traction and braking to passenger facilities.
The full dynamic testing programme is scheduled to be completed by the end of April 2027.
The Japanese and Taiwanese press cite July 2027 as the target date for the first train to enter commercial service, whilst the THSRC states that all 12 units will be introduced progressively and should be in operation by September 2028.
300 km/h and batteries capable of powering the train in the event of a power cut
The N700ST is derived from the N700S Shinkansen platform, the latest generation used by JR Central, including on the famous Tokaido Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka.
Each train destined for Taiwan has 12 railcars and is approximately 300 m long, and the maximum operating speed will be 300 km/h.
The new trains are designed for lower energy consumption and to reduce noise and vibrations. The active suspension system also helps to improve passenger comfort.
A significant new feature is the backup system powered by lithium-ion batteries. In the event of a power cut, the batteries can enable the train to travel at reduced speed to a safe location or keep a number of on-board systems, such as the lighting and toilets, operational.
Each seat will also be fitted with an power socket.
12 trains, a contract worth 124 billion yen
Taiwan High Speed Rail ordered the 12 trains in 2023, with the contract with the Japanese group worth approximately 124 billion yen.
The remaining 11 trains will be delivered in stages between 2026 and 2028.
Once the entire N700ST fleet is in service, the operator estimates that peak-time transport capacity could increase by approximately 25 per cent.
THSRC Chairman Shih Che pointed out that the new trains will also present challenges for the company. For a period, the operator will have to simultaneously operate and maintain two different generations of rolling stock, which will put pressure on logistics and maintenance operations.
Taiwan has been using Shinkansen technology since 2007
Taiwan became the first high-speed rail system outside Japan to be built around Shinkansen technology.
The high-speed line opened in 2007 and serves the corridor along the island’s west coast, between Taipei and Kaohsiung, covering a distance of approximately 350 km.
Trains complete the journey in around 90 minutes, and the maximum commercial speed is 300 km/h.
The current fleet consists mainly of 700T trains, developed on the basis of the Japanese 700 Series. After almost two decades of service, these will be supplemented by the new N700STs.
The network has 12 stations and carries, on average, over 200,000 passengers a day.
The arrival of the first N700ST thus marks the start of the most significant fleet renewal since the launch of Taiwan’s high-speed rail system, as the new trains will enable both an increase in capacity and the introduction of a more energy-efficient generation of technology.
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