Dr. Yellow: More than just good luck, it’s good maintenance
Dr. Yellow: More than just good luck, it’s good maintenance
Natalie Johnson
Posted 04/26/2023
Japan is known for their high-speed passenger trains, or Shinkansen. These bullet trains were first launched in 1964 prior to Tokyo hosting the Olympic games. Shinkansen is the world’s most reliable high-speed train network, and the railways are known for their high level of comfort, impeccable safety record, and on-time departures.
In the 59-year history of the Shinkansen there has not been a single accident or a passenger injury/fatality due to derailments or collisions. The trains average time of delay, per year, is consistently less than one minute and the trains regularly run at speeds ranging from 200-275 mph.
So how do they do it?
The key to maintaining the railways spotless record: Dr. Yellow
Dr. Yellow / Wikipedia
Along the railways, a unique bright yellow train can sometimes be seen cruising along. The rare sighting of this train is thought to bring good fortune and happiness to those who catch a glimpse as it flies by at 275 mph.
But the train brings much more than happiness and good luck. Dr. Yellow serves a very important function and is deployed every ten days or so to monitor the condition of the railway, running at the same speed and on the same rails as the normal bullet train.
The inspection vehicle is 7 cars long and contains sophisticated condition monitoring equipment that uses a series of cameras to record rail conditions for further review. Engineers on board analyze the footage for any irregularities in track alignment, wear or fraying in overhead wiring, and hazardous obstructions.
Nozomi Inspection: Dr. Yellow runs on the high-speed lines of the passenger rails
Kodama Inspection: Dr. Yellow tests train stations where trains do not pass at high speeds
The nine-man crew, made up of two drivers, three track technicians, and four workers to analyze power-related issues, monitor the data collected from the condition monitoring equipment and relay the information to maintenance crews if a repair is necessary. The train is equipped with a GPS system, laser measurement, and a map-matching algorithm which pinpoints exactly where faults are located on the tracks.
The state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment also measures power outputs and vibrations, when an earthquake occurs, Dr. Yellow is immediately dispatched to inspect the tracks.
The unique color and sophisticated equipment allow Dr. Yellow to perform inspections day or night at the same speed as other bullet trains as to not interfere with regular train schedules. Dr. Yellow’s schedule is seemingly random and never made available to the public, making a sighting very rare.
Occasionally, the railroad company will hold a contest allowing winners to tour the train and view the maintenance equipment contained inside. In March 2023, the railroad company sold unique tickets allowing lucky passengers to take a short trip from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka Station on Dr. Yellow. In addition to riding on the train, passengers were able to view the test equipment and observation dome on the roof that inspects overhead wires.
Test Equipment / Backpackers
Observation Dome / Backpackers
If you are ever in Japan, keep your eye out, you might just gain good fortune as you see this yellow train flying by.
Midweek with Maintenance World
Looking for a midweek break? Keep up with the latest news brought to you every Wednesday by the Maintenance World crew.
The manufacturing industry is a crucial contributor to the economy, accounting for over 11% of the total output in the United States. However, many manufacturing companies are currently facing a skills gap, with more open job positions than there are workers ready to fill them. A study conducted by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute predicts that 2.1 million manufacturing positions will go unfilled by 2030, potentially leading to a loss of $1 trillion in GDP for the United States.
The manufacturing industry is a crucial contributor to the economy, accounting for over 11% of the total output in the United States. However, many manufacturing companies are currently facing a skills gap, with more open job positions than there are workers ready to fill them. A study conducted by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute predicts that 2.1 million manufacturing positions will go unfilled by 2030, potentially leading to a loss of $1 trillion in GDP for the United States.
Manufacturing has been a key component to the South Carolina economy in the last 10 years and the state's efforts to improve infrastructure and educate a highly skilled workforce are paying off. The state has been making headlines lately for its attractiveness to corporations around the world.
Manufacturing has been a key component to the South Carolina economy in the last 10 years and the state's efforts to improve infrastructure and educate a highly skilled workforce are paying off. The state has been making headlines lately for its attractiveness to corporations around the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic and recent world events have pushed manufacturing companies to shift their production to the United States in 2023, with 1,8000 companies in the US alone planning to reshore production to the states. While reshoring efforts are ramping up, manufacturers must be wary of the skills gap.
The COVID-19 pandemic and recent world events have pushed manufacturing companies to shift their production to the United States in 2023, with 1,8000 companies in the US alone planning to reshore production to the states. While reshoring efforts are ramping up, manufacturers must be wary of the skills gap.
Preventive Maintenance is as important as ever and this is extremely evident considering a radioactive capsule was lost in the vast landscape of Western Australia for nearly 2 weeks. Emergency services had been scanning the truck’s route for the last seven days and finally found the capsule on Wednesday, February 1st. A team driving down the road used radiation detection equipment to locate the capsule on the side of the road, outside of Newman.
Preventive Maintenance is as important as ever and this is extremely evident considering a radioactive capsule was lost in the vast landscape of Western Australia for nearly 2 weeks. Emergency services had been scanning the truck’s route for the last seven days and finally found the capsule on Wednesday, February 1st. A team driving down the road used radiation detection equipment to locate the capsule on the side of the road, outside of Newman.
It appears the three rail workers on board the train took the appropriate measure when the sensor alerted them a bearing/axel was too hot. However, upon conducting further research it appears the system of HBDs in North America are largely ineffective.
It appears the three rail workers on board the train took the appropriate measure when the sensor alerted them a bearing/axel was too hot. However, upon conducting further research it appears the system of HBDs in North America are largely ineffective.
After nearly 2 months of investigations and a root cause analysis, TC Energy Corp revealed the cause of the oil spill was likely a combination of a welding flaw and bending stress fatigue which resulted in a crack forming and eventually lead to the rupture. The cause of the bending stress is still unclear and remains a focal point of the root cause failure analysis a third-party is conducting.
After nearly 2 months of investigations and a root cause analysis, TC Energy Corp revealed the cause of the oil spill was likely a combination of a welding flaw and bending stress fatigue which resulted in a crack forming and eventually lead to the rupture. The cause of the bending stress is still unclear and remains a focal point of the root cause failure analysis a third-party is conducting.
On February 20th around 2pm an explosion erupted at the I. Schumann & Co. Foundry in Bedford, Ohio. The foundry recycles scrap metal into bronze and brass ingots and pellets. Fire officials say the cause of the explosion is under investigation by state and federal authorities but it appears the blast originated near a kettle-like piece of equipment which holds molten metals before being poured into molds.
On February 20th around 2pm an explosion erupted at the I. Schumann & Co. Foundry in Bedford, Ohio. The foundry recycles scrap metal into bronze and brass ingots and pellets. Fire officials say the cause of the explosion is under investigation by state and federal authorities but it appears the blast originated near a kettle-like piece of equipment which holds molten metals before being poured into molds.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nullam rhoncus, odio eget elementum volutpat, enim risus vulputate mauris, et luctus augue massa et sapien. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. In efficitur mi in erat lacinia tincidunt. Cras vulputate nec nulla vitae pretium. Integer porttitor mattis justo at fringilla. Donec eleifend massa turpis, at auctor mi pulvinar sit amet. Cras ut turpis id arcu fringilla gravida.
