Archive for March, 2010

Japan’s most famous shinkansen bullet train removed from Nozomi service

Created on 29 March 2010 currawong 0 Comments

I hadn’t realised this until now, but Japan’s most famous bullet train, the 500 series, for many years the fastest train in the world, was retired at the end of February from Nozomi services, the fastest express in Japan, which connect Fukuoka (where I live), Horoshima, Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo in a little over 5 hours at an average speed of over 230 km/h including stops.  The 500 series was designed to operate at over 300 km/h and would reach this speed east of Hiroshima on the Tokkaido Shinkansen route.  The train itself was capable of much faster speeds.  Each train, of which only 9 were ever made, cost 5 billion yen each.

The newer and cheaper to make 700 series replaced older trains on many services, with the latest, faster accelerating N700 with tilt capabilities, which allow it to go around bends at 270 km/h, replacing all trains on the Nozomi service this year.  The 500 series have been modified, from 16-car sets into 8 car sets for the Kodama service (the all stops service).

If all these numbers seem incredible, I’ve re-uploaded the video I made from an N700 on the way to Tokyo in HD on Youtube here:

Posted via web from currawong’s posterous

Just when you thought you’d seen it all, comes Sport Stacking.

Created on 27 March 2010 currawong 0 Comments

Yes, this is a serious competition among elementary and high school children. The video is of the world record holder. The competitors have to stack and un-stack the cups in pyramids, the size of which is given as numbers.

Posted via web from currawong’s posterous

Time Traveller in 1941?

Created on 26 March 2010 currawong 1 Comment
At first, this photo seems rather uninteresting, as it’s just a bunch of people standing around. But it’s hard not to notice amongst the well-dressed people of that time the single man, with what looks like a modern hairstyle, sunglasses and clothes that stands out amongst them.One can only wonder…


Posted via email from currawong’s posterous

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@Currawong

  • Yeah, I might hope too, but I've heard otherwise. Maybe later rather than sooner though. in reply to macbisho
  • My money is on, after Mountain Lion, there being no more separate "Mac OS X" and "iOS", at least in name. in reply to gruber
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  • Played dodgeball with the 6th graders yesterday at lunch. My arm and shoulder muscles now want to disown me.
  • I found where they live, got their plates (which were bent so they couldn't be read) and shots of them without helmets. in reply to alaero
  • You're thinking bosozoku. These are just silly kids, not the real deal. in reply to alaero
  • ...for evidence. They were kind enough to make a huge racket for an hour that night. 1 DVD later and our suburb is quiet again. in reply to alaero
  • 3 local lads who used to ride around on their motorbikes making a lot of noise are now silent. I'd taken photos, but needed video... in reply to alaero