ALFA-X

Class E956 "ALFA-X"
ALFA-X train near Oyama Station
In service2019–
ManufacturerHitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Entered service9 May 2019
Number built10 cars
Number in service10 cars (1 set)
Formation10 cars
Fleet numbersS13
OperatorsJR East
Lines servedTōhoku Shinkansen
Specifications
Car length
  • End cars: 26.25 m (86 ft 1 in)
  • Intermediate cars: 24.5 m (80 ft)
Width3.35 m (11.0 ft)
Height3.7 m (12 ft 2 in)
Maximum speed400 km/h (250 mph)
Traction system4 × 500 kW (670 hp) motors per car
Power output12,000 kW (16,000 hp)
Electric system(s)Overhead line25 kV 50 Hz AC
Current collectionPantograph
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

The Class E956 (Japanese: E956形), branded "ALFA-X", is a ten-car experimental Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan capable of operating at up to 400 kilometres per hour (250 mph) to test technologies for future trains capable of operating at speeds of up to 360 kilometres per hour (225 mph). The name is an acronym for "Advanced Labs for Frontline Activity in rail eXperimentation". The train was unveiled on 9 May 2019. Test runs are conducted primarily on sections of the Tōhoku Shinkansen between Sendai and Shin-Aomori, and occasionally on the Hokkaido Shinkansen.