Fastech 360

Debuted: 2006
Goal: Fastest train in the world operational by 2011
Funding: Public

Japan is testing a prototype of the FASTECH 360, the newest addition to its world-class Shinkansen fleet of high-speed trains. The train aims to become the fastest in the world, operating at speeds of up to 224 mph.

The Fastech 360S train at Omiya Station, May 2008

Fastech 360 is the name given to a pair of former experimental high-speed trains developed by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) to test technology for the next-generation Shinkansen rolling stock. The name is a portmanteau of Fast, Technology, and 360 km/h (223 mph), the target operational speed for production trains based on the new technologies. Speeds of up to 405 km/h (251 mph) were targeted during performance testing. Results of testing using these trains will be incorporated into the E5 series and E6 series trains which are scheduled to enter revenue service from 2011, eventually operating at 320 km/h (200 mph).

There were 2 trains:
Class E954 Fastech 360S: 8-car set for use on Shinkansen tracks only
Class E955 Fastech 360Z: 6-car set for use on both Shinkansen and Mini-shinkansen lines

Detail of signature air brakes in deployed state

Fastech 360 trains were equipped with emergency air braking plates like that of an aircraft, similar in appearance to the ears of a cat. This trait earned them a nickname of Nekomimi Shinkansen (猫耳新幹線?), which literally means "cat-eared Shinkansen". This technology was not incorporated in the E5 series.

source : Business Week & Wikipedia