JR Central’s 385 Series Breaks Cover: What Changes On The Shinano Before 2029
Central Japan Railway Co. on Tuesday unveiled its pilot 385-series train for the Limited Express Shinano, with test runs scheduled to start May 13 and commercial service targeted for around fiscal 2029. This model is set to take over from the 383-series currently running between Nagoya and Nagano—Shinano’s first fleet update since 1995. Why now? The project’s shifted from planning to actual testing. The Shinano operates along the winding Chuo Main Line and other twisty mountain routes—tough places to manage both speed and a smooth ride. Their answer: a tilting mechanism. It lets the train lean into turns, helping maintain speed and cutting side-to-side jolts for people onboard.