Japanese rail operator JR East has unveiled the design of the future SOAR inspection train, the successor to the current East-i train. The new vehicle will inspect Shinkansen lines at speeds of up to 320 km/h, using sensors installed on the bogies and a system consisting of 48 cameras.
East Japan Railway Company – JR East, one of Japan’s leading rail operators, has unveiled the name and design of the future train intended for inspecting Shinkansen lines.
The new train in the E927 series will be named SOAR—an English word meaning “to soar” or “to fly”—and is scheduled to enter service in fiscal year 2029.
The train will replace the current East-i inspection train, which is used to inspect the track, electrical systems, and other elements of the high-speed rail infrastructure.
Inspections at the Same Speed as Passenger Trains
SOAR will be capable of traveling at a maximum speed of 320 km/h, compared to 275 km/h for the current East-i.
This speed matches that reached by passenger trains in commercial service on the Tohoku Shinkansen line. As a result, JR East will be able to inspect the infrastructure under conditions similar to those encountered in commercial operations.
“Inspections will be safer because they can be conducted at the same speeds as commercial operations,” said Yoichi Kise, president of JR East.
The increase in speed will also reduce the challenges associated with integrating the inspection train into regular service, which runs faster than the current East-i train.
The SOAR will be able to operate on the five Shinkansen networks managed by JR East:
- Tohoku;
- Joetsu;
- Hokuriku;
- Yamagata;
- Akita.
48 cameras and sensors mounted on the bogies
The train will consist of seven railcars and will be equipped with devices capable of measuring both the condition of the track and the forces acting between the wheels and the rails.
One of the new systems will use sensors installed on the bogies to estimate the stresses exerted during travel. The data will help the company identify sections that need to be inspected or repaired as a priority.
Some of the underfloor measurement technology was previously tested on the ALFA-X high-speed experimental train.
A total of 48 cameras will be installed on the first, third, and seventh railcars, which will record detailed footage of the infrastructure and areas near the tracks.
The images can also be used to detect issues such as damaged equipment, obstacles, or trees that pose a risk of falling onto the tracks.
JR East is also exploring the introduction of artificial intelligence systems to automatically analyze the images and flag any anomalies.
Why the Name SOAR Was Chosen
The train will retain the white color of the current East-i, but will feature asymmetrical green and red stripes.
Green is the color associated with JR East and symbolizes the idea of ascension, while red refers to the current inspection train. The asymmetrical design suggests the constant changes in the condition of the tracks and electrical installations.
The letter O in the name SOAR, resembling the number zero, expresses the company’s goal of achieving zero accidents.
The graphic concept was selected following an internal contest organized within the JR East group. The winning proposal was created by an employee named Hori and selected in collaboration with the British design firm Tangerine.
The final exterior design will be finalized by around fall 2026.
A New “Doctor” for the Shinkansen Lines
Japanese inspection trains are among the most well-known technical vehicles in the world. The most famous example is Doctor Yellow, used on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines, which is set to be retired in January 2027.
SOAR will not directly replace Doctor Yellow, as it is intended for the JR East network and will succeed the current East-i. However, it could become the new face of trains that inspect the Shinkansen infrastructure without disrupting commercial service.
It is scheduled to enter service in fiscal year 2029.
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