New High-Speed Rail Arrives in Taiwan! When Can You Ride the N700ST? Check Out 12 Upgrades at Once

Taiwan High Speed Rail has reached an important milestone in its upgrade. Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation officially completed the unloading of the first set of the new-generation N700ST train at Pier 74 of Kaohsiung Port on the 15th, marking the beginning of the subsequent assembly and static/dynamic testing stages for the new train. The main reason for implementing this major update plan is that the current mainstay 700T train has been in service for over twenty years. To meet the continuously growing demand for capacity and enhance operational safety, the high-speed rail company decided to introduce a train equipped with the latest rail technology.

The new train has undergone comprehensive engineering design and optimization in terms of its streamlined nose design, lightweight body structure, expanded in-car charging facilities, all seats, and the introduction of an emergency self-propelled battery system. It is scheduled to officially enter passenger service on July 1, 2027.

The most notable upgrade in the interior of the N700ST train is the widespread availability of charging facilities. Unlike the current model, which only has dedicated sockets in the business class, the new-generation train will extend the charging sockets to every standard car seat, allowing passengers to conveniently recharge their electronic communication devices at any time.

In terms of luggage storage space, the design team has planned the space through single-layer and double-layer configurations, making the large luggage area capable of accommodating up to 114 28-inch suitcases. The storage standard for the overhead luggage racks has also been increased from the previous 20 inches to 26 inches or below, significantly increasing the overall storage capacity. Additionally, the reclining angle of the business class seats has been increased from the original to 33 degrees and adopts an enveloping design, while the reading lights have been moved to the side of the headrest to expand the lighting range.

To meet the diverse needs of passengers, the new train has specially expanded the family-friendly and barrier-free spaces. The area of the nursing room in the fifth car has been increased by approximately 50% compared to the 700T train, with the addition of a sink and a baby seat inside, and a dedicated space for pushing in and temporarily placing baby strollers.

The number of barrier-free seats in the seventh car has been increased from the original 4 to 6, and the barrier-free restrooms have introduced features such as hands-free toilets, artificial anus cleaning facilities, and changing platforms.

In the design of the car entrance and exit lines, all the interior passage doors have been changed to sensor-operated automatic opening, and the interior information display screens have been upgraded to large full-color liquid crystal panels, with the addition of car door direction indicator lights to guide passengers in boarding and alighting.

In terms of exterior and power system design, the N700ST adopts a new nose design called the "Supreme Dual Wing Type," extending the length of the front to 10.7 meters. Through a more streamlined aerodynamic design, it reduces air resistance during high-speed travel and the microwave noise generated when entering tunnels.

After undergoing lightweight engineering, the weight of the entire train has been reduced from 503 tons to 482 tons, and the number of power cars has been increased to 10, with an expected reduction in energy consumption of approximately 20%.

To improve operational stability, the underside of the car body adopts a fully enclosed design with rubber sponge to reduce wind noise, and the suspension system is equipped with fully active or semi-active shock absorption devices depending on the car position, which is expected to reduce interior noise by 10%, significantly improving overall riding comfort.

In terms of operational safety and emergency response mechanisms, the N700ST is equipped for the first time with a backup battery system that the 700T does not have. In the event of a sudden power outage or interruption of external power supply, this system can maintain basic power in the car for approximately 30 minutes to supply functions such as emergency lighting and toilet flushing.

In emergency situations, the backup power can even drive the train to move at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour, with a maximum travel distance of 10 kilometers, helping the vehicle to exit from unfavorable terrain for evacuation and rescue, such as bridges or tunnels.

Additionally, the in-car emergency call system has also been further upgraded. In addition to maintaining the existing function of allowing passengers to communicate with train staff, it has added technology linked to monitors to help staff accurately and promptly grasp the situation inside the car. These safety designs will significantly enhance the train's ability to handle crises in the event of major emergencies such as earthquakes and power outages.

The new high-speed rail car has arrived! The new model N700ST successfully arrived in Taiwan at Kaohsiung Port today (15th). (Image/Reproduced from Taiwan High Speed Rail Facebook)