Tōkaidō Shinkansen Test Runs

On the newly completed Tōkaidō line, the 0 Series Shinkansen reached 210 km/h during final testing between Tokyo and Osaka. Built by Japanese National Railways under the vision of engineer Hideo Shima, the dedicated high-speed line used advanced aerodynamics and automatic train control. It opened just days later for the Tokyo Olympics, setting the global standard for high-speed rail and demonstrating how dedicated infrastructure could revolutionize intercity travel.