GCT01-200

The GCT01-200 is an experimental high-speed EMU. The second generation of the Gauge Change Train, the set was built for the Japan Railways Group and tested from 2007 until 2013, after which it was retired from service.
==History==
The GCT01-200 was built in 2006 and was designed to be capable of at least 270 km/h (170 mph) on normal Shinkansen lines and at least 130 km/h (80 mph) on conventional narrow-gauge lines. Small-scale testing began in 2006 while the set was originally based at JR Shikoku's Tadotsu Works. The set was then moved to the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) in Kokubunji, Tokyo at an unknown date, but was then moved from RTRI to JR Kyushu's Kokura Works in 2007, where it was shown off to the press in May 2007.
The set was then test run on conventional tracks at Kokura Works from December 2007, and was moved to the Kyushu Shinkansen in June 2009 for additional test running, operating at speeds up to 270 km/h (170 mph). The train's D-type bogies were replaced with newer E-type bogies in 2011, which were lighter and allowed for more ride stability and comfort when negotiating turns with radii of under 600 m. Finally, late night test running for the GCT01-200 was performed on the Yosan Line in Shikoku while the train was based at Tadotsu Works from December 2011 to September 2013, covering a distance of about 70,000 km (43,495.9 mi).
The train was withdrawn in September 2013 and was stored at Tadotsu Works. Car GCT01-201 was moved to the Shikoku Railway Heritage Museum in Saijō, Ehime in July 2014, where it remains on display, while the other two cars were cut up at Tadotsu Works that August.
==Design==
The trainset's end cars were radically different to the first generation of Shinkansen. Their shape departed the "bullet" shape of the first generation and replaced it with "wedge-like" head and tail cars. The set was based on the E3 Series Shinkansen.
==Specifications==
The end cars are 23.075 meters long, and the intermediate cars are 20.5 meters long. They run on 25 kV, AC 60 Hz power. Traction motors are IGBT thyristor variable frequency drives.
As hinted by the name, the GCT01-200 has variable gauge axles which allow it to run on both cape gauge (1,067 mm, 3 ft 6 in) and standard gauge (1,435 mm, 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) rails. Only car GCT01-202 was fitted with seats.
==Preservation==
The following GCT01 cars have been preserved:
Car number	Manufacturer 	Date manufactured	Date retired 	Previous sets	Location 	Notes
GCT01-201 	Kawasaki Heavy Industries	October 2006 	September 2013	N/A 	Shikoku Railway Cultural Center, Ehime, Shikoku, Japan	Displayed outdoors
==References==
*Wikipedia.org
Category:Unique locomotives
Category:Prototype locomotives
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:JR Group trains
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Category:Built in 2006
Category:Experimental locomotives
Category:Locomotives
Category:Japanese locomotives
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Category:3 foot 6 inch gauge
Category:Narrow-gauge
Category:Narrow-gauge locomotives
Category:4 foot 8 1⁄2 inch gauge
Category:Standard gauge locomotives