Have you ever heard the name “Doctor Yellow”?

It’s a special train equipped with devices to measure track distortions and overhead wire conditions on the Shinkansen (bullet train), and it’s a yellow Shinkansen, hence the nickname.

General passengers cannot ride it, and its running schedule is unofficial, leading to the saying, “Seeing it brings good luck.”

With its impactful appearance and presence, it’s probably known to many people, not just train enthusiasts.

JR Central and JR West each owned one train set, but JR Central’s set retired on January 29, 2025, due to aging.

JR West still has its other set, so there’s a chance to see it, but it’s also scheduled for retirement around 2027.

So, what kind of train will succeed Doctor Yellow after its retirement?

The N700S will be introduced next year as its successor, but since it will use regular passenger trains equipped with measuring equipment to collect data while they are running normally, there will be no more dedicated trains solely for measurement.

It’s a sign of technological progress, but it’s a little sad.