Tōkaidō Shinkansen Construction Begins

On September 9, 1962, construction started on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, the world's first dedicated high-speed passenger railway. Overseen by Japan National Railways president Shinji Sogō and engineer Hideo Shima, the project featured standard-gauge tracks, welded rails, and the iconic 0 Series bullet trains capable of 210 km/h. Overcoming mountainous terrain and earthquake risks with viaducts and tunnels, it opened in 1964 just in time for the Tokyo Olympics. The line transformed Japanese mobility, boosted economic growth, and established the global template for high-speed rail, inspiring countless model layouts of sleek Shinkansen consists.