923 series Bullet Train Doctor Yellow
Data (as of 6 Jul 2024)
| Status: | Endangered |
| Constructed in: | 2000, 2005 |
| Number built: | 14 |
| Registered: | 14 |
History
The 923 series is the incumbent Doctor Yellow, a famous measurement train not only in Japan but also in the world. The 923 series is based on 700 series, and two seven-carriage units were introduced.
They monitor track and overhead wire conditions on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen, but not on Kyushu Shinkansen. JR Central withdrew all 700 series in 2020, but it still uses the 923 series.
Current Operations & Future Prospects
The 923 series is a measurement train so that it runs as required. Generally, the measurement work is taken place three or four times a month, and there are two patterns of fixed timetable. JR Central's unit and JR West's unit take turns working every three months.
JR Central's unit will be withdrawn in January 2025 and its front carriage will be preserved at SCMaglev and Railway Park. JR West will retain it until around 2027. There will be no successor to the 923 series as JR West will install inspection and monitoring devices to ordinary N700S series units, indicating that the history of Dr Yellow will end then.
(Updated: 6 Jul 2024)