On March 14th, 2022, JR Central celebrated the 30th anniversary of Nozomi super-express operations. The company held several memorial events on the Tokaido Shinkansen.
Let me quickly review Nozomi super-express train. Nozomi (wish or hope) is the fastest train on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansens. The operation of Nozomi started in 1992 to compete with airline companies. For that purpose, JR central developed a new model, EMU 300 series. The maximum speed was raised up from 220 to 270 kilometers per hour. The trains used for Nozomi super-express were then changed to the EMU 500, 700, N700 and N700A series one after another. Furthermore, a brand-new model, N700S series, joined the Nozomi fleet in 2020. The current maximum speed is 285 kilometers per hour on the Tokaido Shinkansen; meanwhile, it's 300 kilometers per hour on the Sanyo Shinkansen.
I recently found a handmade memorial board at the entrance of Tokyo station. It was probably drawn by a JR Central station staff on a white board. You can see the current Nozomi super-express train namely N700S series in the center and the first generation Nozomi namely 300 series in the upper left corner. A JR Central staff in the uniform is also drawn in the lower left corner. Good job.
Taking this opportunity, I'm also uploading an old picture shot in 2012. You can see the EMU 300 and 700 series standing at Tokyo station. Both two models have already been retired from the Tokaido Shinkansen. Where has the time gone?
