Fans of Japan's shinkansen bullet trains are getting ready to bid farewell to a colorful icon of the tracks. Railway operators say they will phase out the so-called “Doctor Yellow” inspection cars. The eye-catching seven-car vehicle was created based on the shinkansen. It's off-limits to ordinary passengers and operates only once about every 10 days. Seeing it is said to bring happiness, and it has become popular among railway fans. The cars are used on tracks between Tokyo Station and Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture. Central Japan Railway plans to retire theirs in January. West Japan Railway will do the same in 2027 or later. Going forward, inspections will be carried out with devices installed on regularly operating shinkansen trains.
◆going forward 将来的には、今後は