DEVELOPMENT OF UNCONVENTIONAL TRACK BY JNR

JNR has been developing an unconventional, maintenance-free track which may be applicable not only from technical aspects, but also from economical aspects, in comparison with the conventional track structure consisting of sleepers and ballast. This new track will be used on the New San-yo Line (NSL) between Okayama and Hakata which uses standard gauge track, taking into account a maximum speed of 250 km/h, and also on the Kosei Line, the Musashino Line, etc., which use narrow gauge track with a maximum speed of 120 km/h. This paper discusses the technical, economical and social backgrounds, and the history of technical development in changing from the conventional structure, together with relevant problems.