The Seikan Tunnel, opened on March 13, 1988, is 53.85 kilometers long and 240 meters below the sea level at the deepest point.
The new Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station building is designed to give the warmth of nature and will accommodate an "antenna shop" that sells local souvenirs as well as a visitor information space.
A narrow tunnel for workers leads into the main tracks in the Seikan Tunnel where the Shinkansen will run. The workers take the utmost care on the tracks as they head to the substation in the tunnel.
A substation facility is installed in a work gallery extending sideways from the main tracks. There are expert engineering skills that supports the safe operation of the train even in places hard to see from the train.
Existing passenger and freight trains go through the tunnel day and night, so the massive transformer is carried in in the middle of the night, when relatively few trains are running.
The Shin-Hakodate Substation (left photo) will feed traction power to the Shinkansen. Here is installed the world's first vacuum circuit breaker that can withstand an extra high voltage of 204 kilovolts, the world’s highest voltage for any vacuum circuit breaker that is in service (right photo).
Hakodate is locacted in the south of Hokkaido, but still has over three meters of snow falls on average per year. Transformers (left photo) are guarded with roofs (right photo) against snow buildup.
Each substation has control equipment (left photo), which is centrally monitored and controlled from the control room (right photo). A user-friendly interface adds more to the Shinkansen’s safety.
Mount Hakodate is known for one of the best three great night views of the world. The Hokkaido Shinkansen now sparkles the city in the daytime as well by giving a new vibrancy to the life of the city.
