The Yamanashi Test Line was planned to promote development of Maglev system for practical use.
A priority section with a length of 18.4 km was completed at the end of 1996. After related systems were checked, test runs started on April 3, 1997. The first train set consisting of three cars ran supported with wheels at the first stage. We began levitated test runs at the end of May and raised its running speed. It exceeded 400 km/h in September and 500 km/h in November in 1997. At the end of 1997, it reached the target speed of 550 km/h and recorded 531 km/h with people on board. During the running tests, superconducting magnets and refrigerators were quite stable, though we experienced some minor troubles. The tests have been satisfactory so far as a whole.