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300X Shinkansen (1995)

First written May 18, 2024

The 300X Shinkansen was the class 955 Shinkansen and was an experimental prototype developed in 1994 to assist in designing Shinkansens capable of travelling at 300km/hr and above (hence the 300X name). In July 1996 the 300X set a still-standing Japanese national speed record of 443 km/hr. It was withdrawn in 2002. The Plarail 300X Shinkansen (300X新幹線) was released in 1995 in seventh generation packaging with a two-speed new power gearbox.

The chassis for the power and tail cars is the type used for the 400 series Tsubasa and several other 1990s Shinkansens and thus was updated to have the connection gimmick molding feature circa 1997. This example dates to September and thus has the updated connectable chassis.

The front of the power car is slightly duckbilled, as several future Shinkansens would be, and the tail car is sloped down like the 300 series. There is a translucent yellow plastic insert in the nose but there is no light feature.

7460 Super City (Tomica World) (late 1990s)

The 300X was exported under the Tomica World range as item 7460 "Super City" in the red style of Tomica World boxes.

Tomica World production seems to range from late 1997 to late 2003 so all examples exported have the connection gimmick chassis. Other than the box, there is no difference from the Plarail version, and it still says 300X.

SCMAGLEV and Railway Park Opening Commemoration Special Set (2011)

In March 2011 the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park Opening Commemoration Special Set included a full 300X train with 443.0km/h speed record stickers. The 955-6 car that Plarail has as the tail car was heading the train when it set the speed record, and is the only car on display, but the Plarail train has the other end of the train in front. Other than the stickers, this is pretty much the same as the earlier 300X release.

The chassis toolings have been updated with the new Tomy logo.