Japanese Al Alloy Railcar Production Hits Annual Record in F2009

Japanese railcar makers produced 926 aluminium alloy railcars in fiscal 2009 ended in March 2010, which increased by 22.8% from the previous fiscal year and marked the record number. The production totaled 17,673 railcars since fiscal 1963.

Among 926 aluminium alloy railcars, N700 series shinkansen accounted for 328 railcars or 35.4%, 240 railcars for Central Japan Railway Company and 88 railcars for West Japan Railway Company. Total production of shinkansen railcars, including the other series than N700, represented 408 railcars or 44% of the amount. Aluminium alloy railcar demand is led by Shinkansen.

Looking by railway companies, 564 railcars were for Japan Railway companies, 116 railcars for subway companies and 160 railcars for private railway companies. Meanwhile, 66 railcars were produced for Channel Tunnel Rail Link of UK and 20 railcars for Korea Railroad Corporation of South Korea.

The production of aluminium alloy monorail vehicle was 13 vehicles of 4 types in fiscal 2009, which totaled 548 vehicles so far. The production for new transporting system was 29 vehicles for Washington D.C. Airport Authority of USA and 8 vehicles for Airport Authority of Hong Kong in fiscal 2009, which totaled 237 vehicles so far.