{"id":18270,"date":"2023-12-11T12:49:51","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T11:49:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog?p=18270"},"modified":"2024-05-15T08:57:07","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T06:57:07","slug":"big-eye-train-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/big-eye-train-japan","title":{"rendered":"Big Eye: the New Inspection Train by Kyushu Railway"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Japan is debuting a <strong>brand new inspection train<\/strong> \u2014 Big Eye! \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n<p>Tests will be run from now till March 2024 before Big Eye is fully operational. Developed by Kyushu Railway (JR Kyushu), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/joyful-character-trains\">Big Eye is a colorful character<\/a> and a testament to Japan\u2019s continued innovation in rail transport.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_white no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Introducing_Japans_Big_Eye_Train\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> \ud83d\udc40\ud83d\ude86Introducing Japan\u2019s Big Eye Train<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#A_New_Era_of_Railway_Maintenance\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> A New Era of Railway Maintenance<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Why_Is_Big_Eye_Red\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> Why Is Big Eye Red?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_Big_Eye_Inspections_Work\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> How Big Eye Inspections Work<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#The_Future_of_Railway_Maintenance\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">5<\/span> The Future of Railway Maintenance<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"Introducing_Japans_Big_Eye_Train\">\ud83d\udc40\ud83d\ude86Introducing Japan\u2019s Big Eye Train<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Big Eye train\u2019s unique appearance certainly grabs your attention. Its <strong>striking red color <\/strong>and pair of headlights in the form of <strong>large, attentive eyes<\/strong> are hard to miss.<\/p>\n<p>But Big Eye is about more than its distinctive design. The train represents an <strong>advancement in digitalized railway maintenance<\/strong>. The train\u2019s &#8220;eyes&#8221; are part of a system designed to enhance track inspection and maintenance efficiency\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"qme\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\ude33<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BE220?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#BE220<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BIGEYE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#BIGEYE<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/%E3%82%B7%E3%83%B3%E3%83%BB%E3%83%9E%E3%83%A4?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#\u30b7\u30f3\u30fb\u30de\u30e4<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/PfIJZI6VBb\">pic.twitter.com\/PfIJZI6VBb<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; DE101756 (@DE101756) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DE101756\/status\/1719204267582767555?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 31, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"A_New_Era_of_Railway_Maintenance\">A New Era of Railway Maintenance<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Traditionally, railway maintenance has relied heavily on visual inspections. While effective, these conventional methods have limitations in terms of scope and accuracy.<\/p>\n<p>The Big Eye train <strong>improves the inspection process<\/strong> by incorporating laser sensors and cameras capable of detecting track distortions. It also uses device-collected data.<\/p>\n<p>This high-tech approach allows for greater precision when analyzing railway infrastructure, for safer and more reliable train operations\u200b\u200b.<\/p>\n<p>Big Eye is <strong>more efficient than the current inspection train<\/strong> that has been in use since before the state-owned Japanese National Railways was privatized in 1987. The new, self-driving train does not need a locomotive to pull it.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Why_Is_Big_Eye_Red\">Why Is Big Eye Red?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Big Eye was modeled on a <strong>red train damaged by flooding<\/strong> during torrential rains in July 2020 in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture.<\/p>\n<p>The red color makes Big Eye stand out and also commemorates the disaster-affected vehicle that has inspired this state-of-the-art inspection tool\u200b\u200b.<\/p>\n<p>Another notable feature of Big Eye\u2019s design is the <strong>cow illustration on its rear end<\/strong>, representative of Kumamoto\u2019s famous beef. A wave pattern on the side symbolizes the trajectory of the track.<\/p>\n<p>This fun design was chosen by JR Kyushu in the hope that Big Eye will become<strong> recognized by everyone<\/strong>, including children. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/doctor-yellow-shinkansen\">Doctor Yellow<\/a> is another Shinkansen track tester train that has enjoyed great wide popularity.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"How_Big_Eye_Inspections_Work\">How Big Eye Inspections Work<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Big Eye is at the forefront of track inspection technology. Using its sensors it can:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Collect data on the trajectory of railway tracks<\/li>\n<li>Measure distances between the tracks and infrastructure such as utility poles, tunnels, traffic lights, and station platforms<\/li>\n<li>Check the status of metal fittings holding the track together using the cameras<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Data analysis is carried out remotely. According to JR Kyushu,<strong> Artificial Intelligence tools <\/strong>are used to review the camera images and detect areas requiring maintenance automatically, further increasing efficiency.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"The_Future_of_Railway_Maintenance\">The Future of Railway Maintenance<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Big Eye represents <strong>great progress in the area of railway maintenance<\/strong>. Its striking red color, eye-like headlights, and advanced digital capabilities make it a noteworthy addition to Japan&#8217;s railway system. It should be rolled out fully when tests are completed next spring.<\/p>\n<p>This new inspection train is leading the way with its watchful &#8220;eyes&#8221; and cutting-edge technology. If you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/regions-of-japan\/kyushu\">visiting Kyushu<\/a>, look out for Big Eye when you\u2019re traveling by train. Let\u2019s face it, it\u2019s hard to miss!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n            <a class=\"fasc-button banner-button-shortcode fasc-size-large fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium ico-fa fasc-ico-after fa-chevron-circle-right fasc-style-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">\n                Buy your JR Pass\n            <\/a>\n        <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Japan is debuting a brand new inspection train \u2014 Big Eye! \ud83d\udc40 Tests will be run from now till March 2024 before Big Eye is fully operational. Developed by Kyushu Railway (JR Kyushu), Big Eye is a colorful character and a testament to Japan\u2019s continued innovation in rail transport.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18280,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"acf":{"pageresume":"Meet JR Kyushu's Big Eye train, a red, digitally advanced inspection train for railway maintenance in Japan. 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