(CNN) — Japan has started testing its fastest-ever bullet train -- capable of reaching 400 kilometers per hour (249 mph) -- as it continues to develop the revolutionary mode of travel The ALFA-X version of the Shinkansen train began three years' worth of test runs on Friday. Once it enters operation sometime around 2030, it will run at speeds of up to 360 kph (224 mph), comfortably making it the world's fastest bullet train. It will also outpace China's Fuxing train, which runs at 10 kph slower despite being designed with the same top speed capabilities as the ALFA-X. The model will operate at speeds of up to 360 km/h. The model's futuristic design features 10 cars and a long pointed nose. It'll be tested on the line between the cities of Sendai and Aomori, which are about 280 kilometers apart as the crow flies. Tests will take place after midnight, when the line is quiet, and will occur twice a week. The ALFA-X marks a new stage of growth for the Shinkansen, pushing the world-renowned high speed rail service even faster towards the future. Its testing debut comes as Japan's new high-speed Shinkansen N700S continues tests that began just over a year ago. That model will enter operation in 2020, but its maximum speeds of 300 kph -- the same as other N700 series trains -- will be easily surpassed by the ALFA-X. The flurry of new models coincides with Japan's preparations to host the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.<doc-sep>The East Japan Railway Company began testing Friday for what's billed as the fastest bullet train in the world — the ALFA-X — projected to hit speeds of up to 249 mph. The ALFA-X is a version of Japan's Shinkansen train, which debuted for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, according to Japan Station, a Japanese transportation guide. The Shinkansen is a high-speed bullet train, the fastest of which can reach 199 mph. Stops include Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, among others. "The ALFA-X train is simply a prototype for use in test runs for the development of a possible future train," Sanshiro Iwamoto, a researcher at the railway company, tells USA TODAY. "The projected speed should be 249 mph per hour maximum, but, again, speed will only be determined during testing." The ALFA-X began three years' worth of test runs Friday, according to reports from Bloomberg and CNN. More:Japanese rush to buy Tokyo Olympic tickets on first day The goal is for the ALFA-X to be introduced commercially in 2030, Bloomberg reports, noting the train could help to offer faster services to Sapporo, Japan's largest city on the island of Hokkaido. The anticipated speed benchmark of 249 mph would put the ALFA-X ahead of China's Fuxing Hao train, which links Beijing and Shanghai and currently reaches soaring speeds of 217 mph. The sleek-nosed design, for combating wind resistance, measures 72 feet, has 10 cars and is painted in metallic silver with green stripes, reports Bloomberg. The train will be tested between the Japanese cities of Aomori and Sendai, which are located over 200 miles apart.<doc-sep>This week, Japanese railway company JR East showed off its new Alfa-X, a high-speed bullet train that is designed to achieve a top speed of 400kph, or 249mph, which would make it the fastest commercial train in the world. In day-to-day operations, the train would shuttle passengers at 360kph, or roughly 224mph. On Friday, JR East will begin testing the Alfa-X, without passengers, on its railways. According to Bloomberg, the 10-car train will make the trip "between the cities of Aomori and Sendai at night" for the next three years during a testing phase. JR East hopes to use the Alfa-X commercially by 2030. Japan News says the line will eventually be extended to Sapporo. That long lead time suggests that there might be an opening for another high-speed bullet train option to overtake the Alfa-X Shinkansen train in speed for commercial railway service. Bloomberg notes that the front runner for the top-speed crown may be a magnetically levitated train line that's being built between Tokyo and Nagoya, which is expected to open in 2027. That train, however, takes advantage of a tunnel-heavy route to achieve a top speed of 505kph (314mph). (That project was also beset by scandal in 2018, though it appears to still be underway.) Advertisement Additionally, many startups are working on bringing a so-called Hyperloop to market. Hyperloop pods would run in a low-pressure tube on magnetic levitation rails (or alternatively, air-bearings), allowing them to reach theoretical speeds greater than 600mph. But since SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk pitched the idea in 2013, few startups or teams have been able to deliver on a speed record. Virgin Hyperloop One, arguably the best-funded Hyperloop startup, may be the closest: it has a test track outside of Las Vegas where it has been able to log a speed of 240mph (386kph) in less than a quarter-mile (300 meters). Ryan Kelly, the head of Marketing and Communications for Virgin Hyperloop One, told Ars by email today, "We have no doubt we’ll be able to at least double that in commercial operation." For now, the Alfa-X has a nose that spans 22 meters (72 feet) to cut through wind resistance, and according to Bloomberg it will have "air brakes on the roof and also use magnetic plates near the rails to slow down, in addition to conventional brakes." Information on the Alfa-X from JR East notes that the train will have dampers to prevent swaying, specifically during an earthquake.<doc-sep>Public transportation comes in many different forms, shapes, and sizes. In Japan, bullet trains are making a lot of headlines. Also known as Shinkansen, the network of high-speed railway lines produces some impressive train “speeds” The following vehicles show how fast trains are capable of traveling on this network of railways. “STAR21” Surpasses 260 MPH It is almost unthinkable to be seated on a bullet train capable of surpassing a speed of 260 miles per hour. This speed is on par with most race cars driving in a straight line at top speed. The Class 952/953 train, also referred to as STAR21, successfully achieved a speed of 2641 miles per hour in July of 1996. The test was performed at a dedicated part of the high-speed railway network, but things have vastly improved ever since. Class 955 “300X” Goes Slightly Faster The late 1990s were quite interesting for trains involving bullet trains. Just two and a half years after the previous speed record, the Class 955 300X improved upon the top speed set. Although the difference is just one mile per hour, it marks the first time a bullet train effectively surpassed 265 miles per hour. That record would not last long, as innovation is always ongoing behind the scenes. The Same 300X Finds More Speed It is rather interesting to note how the exact same model of train successfully beat its own record just 15 days after the previous attempt. On July 26, 1996, the Class 955 “300X” successfully noted a top speed of 275.3 miles per hour. An absolutely insane speed which is not deemed commercially viable, for rather obvious reasons. When maglev trains were introduced not long after, the speed records shot up quite significantly. MLX01 Sets Three Separate Records Widely considered to be one of the most successful bullet train series, the MLX01 – which is also the first major maglev train being tested – noted three separate speed records over a period of just under 6 years. Between December 1997 and December 2003, this train recorded top speeds of 340, 343, and 361 miles per hour respectively. A vast improvement compared to previous records, albeit further improvements were introduced down the line. The L0 Series Hits 375 MPH at its Peak It took quite some time until the previous speed records were improved upon. That is not entirely abnormal, as the speed was improved upon by nearly 100 miles per hour in just 10 years. In April of 2015, the L0 series finally showcased some of its potential. A first test achieved a world speed record of 370 miles per hour. Five days later, after some careful tweaking, a speed of 275 miles per hour was noted. To date, this is still considered to be the world speed record. Special Mention: The ALFA-X While all of the speed records above are impressive, they don’t allow for commercially viable operations at this time. That situation won’t necessarily come to change when the ALFA-X is introduced. As of this week, it has begun the first of its three years’ worth of testing days. What makes this bullet train so remarkable it will enter “operations” in a decade from today. Which operations that would entail exactly, remains rather unclear at this time. It is expected the ALFA-X will enter operations by 2030. Since most trains are only tested on experimental tracks first and foremost, this new model will have to live up to high expectations. This new line enters the fray at a rather interesting stage. About a year ago, the Shinkansen N700S began its testing period. However, that model will never surpass 187 miles per hour. Still not Commercially Viable for the Masses Even though it sounds exciting to take a train capable of surpassing 250 miles per hour, it is not a commercial method of transportation. Despite vast improvements and decades of research, it remains a highly expensive way of traveling from point A to point B. That doesn’t mean no one uses bullet trains, but the target audience is very limited, even under the best of circumstances. Whether or not that situation will ever change, is rather difficult to predict.<doc-sep>
Japan is pushing the limits of rail travel as it begins testing the fastest-ever shinkansen bullet train, capable of speeds of as much as 400 kilometers (249 miles) per hour. Called the Alfa-X, the train is scheduled to go into service in 2030. Rail company JR East plans to operate it at 360 kilometers per hour. That would make it 10 kph faster than China's Fuxing Hao, which links Beijing and Shanghai and has the same top speed. To cope with massive wind resistance when entering tunnels, the Alfa-X's first car will mostly be a sleek nose, measuring 22 meters (72 feet). With just three windows, there looks to be hardly any space, if at all, for passengers in the front. Painted in metallic silver with green stripes, the 10-car bullet train begins test runs Friday between the cities of Aomori and Sendai at night, to be conducted over three years. Japan's bullet trains, which made their debut in the same year as the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, have become a symbol of the country's focus on efficiency and reliability. Shinkansens are rarely late, even though they depart Tokyo Station every few minutes for Osaka, Kyoto and other destinations across the archipelago, making them a viable alternative to air travel. The Alfa-X is a key part of a plan to offer faster services to Sapporo, the biggest city on the northernmost island of Hokkaido. HOUSTON-TO-DALLAS BULLET TRAIN: High-speed rail proposed from Houston to Dallas raises hopes and doubts "The development of the next-generation shinkansen is based on the key concepts of superior performance, a high level of comfort, a superior operating environment and innovative maintenance," East Japan Railway Co., better known as JR East, said in a statement. Although the Alfa-X holds the title of the world's fastest train right now, it may already be dethroned by the time it goes into service. That's because a new maglev line is being built between Tokyo and Nagoya with operations starting in 2027. Traveling mostly through deep tunnels, the magnetically levitated train will travel at a top speed of 505 kilometers per hour, cutting the time between the two cities to 40 minutes, from the current 110 minutes. --- Five Things to Know About the Alfa-X --Stopping is just as important. The new bullet train will have air brakes on the roof and also use magnetic plates near the rails to slow down, in addition to conventional brakes. --The train will have dampers and air suspension to keep it stable when traversing curves, maintaining its balance and comfort for passengers. --Alfa-X stands for "Advanced Labs for Frontline Activity in rail eXperimentation." --The new train is based on JR's E5 platform, which already operates on major routes in Japan. --JR East will link data between the train, control center, maintenance facilities and staff to monitor performance and keep the trains operating at optimal levels.