As a new concept train for the next generation, a gauge change train, which can go through standard-gauge shinkansen lines to narrow-gauge conventional lines, is under development. Its driving system is required to be simple in structure to realize an adjustable gauge motored truck and high performance for shinkansen in the narrow gauge-truck space. As a valid driving system for it, we selected a wheel-mounted direct drive traction motor using rare-earth permanent magnets. Through several trial manufacture and experiments, we completed a traction motor for the high speed experimental train which is now under endurance test runs on the test track in Pueblo, USA.

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