I read recently that the trains on the Shinano service between Nagano & Nagoya will be replaced in 2027, and that the new ones will be 'tested' on the route this year. I'm looking forward to spotting one, and certainly riding them...the current trains are famously wobbly & can make you nauseus, especially if they are overheated or overcrowded & you have to stand. It will still be a tilting design, as the line will not change (lots of turns as it negotiates the Kiso valley and the climb up and over to Nagano from Matsumoto) but I've read there will be significant improvements to the rolling stock, with smart technology anticipating wheel slippageand anticipative breaking...we'll see.
My ride down to Nagoya the other morning was stunning; it had snowed heavily overnight, but for once my Shinano was not late. Every corner revealed another gorgeous carpet of white, hamlets blanketed & the hillsides jumping out from the blue sky. It was so pretty, I forgot to take any pictures!
Heading back next day, a lot of the snow was gone, and the roads looked safer. I remembered to press record, so enjoy a little bit of the trip, racing the trucks north as we wriggled through tunnels & over bridges, hugging the base of the hills. My advice is to get a seat on the west side of the train for the best views/photos from Nagoya to Shiojiri, and take a battery charger (there's no ac supply on this train - nor food & drink service, for that matter, so stock up at the platform convenience store). Between Matsumoto & Nagano, you want to be on the east side.
No matter which season you take this train, the 'wide' views are very distracting! Give up reading a book and glue yourself to the window. To really make the most of your trip, reserve a seat at the very front...you won't regret it.
No comments:
Post a Comment
By all means leave your comments - please do not be offensive, abusive, or rude. We ask you to sign your comment as well, please.