Legend Express: Star Wars Train Puzzles Japanese Travelers

Japanese citizens were surprised to see a mysterious train at one of their metro stations. This angular red and white train looked as if it was from the first “Star Wars.”

The train, similar to a mobile castle with holes for guns, attracted the attention of many Internet and social network users.

“Cool… Just as in Transformers!” a comment wrote.

@YUMMYviolet
すごく．．．トランスフォームの最中です

— シン・お茶漬け (@mekazamu) 2 августа 2016 г.

Another twitter user with the nickname YUMMYviolet posted a couple of photos of the mystery train.

思わず撮ってしまう電車が駅にいた
なにこれ… pic.twitter.com/ROG4Fcu8X8

— ユミィ バイオレット (@YUMMYviolet) 2 августа 2016 г.

So what is the reason behind the radically redesigned train?

One of the first responses was from a Twitter user kama_iruka.

@YUMMYviolet E491系電車のマヤ50の測定車ですね
レーザー光反射と光学カメラで線路上の建築限界を測定する車両です

— かまいるか (@kama_iruka) 2 августа 2016 г.

It appears that Maya50 is a special wagon train, which was used with E491 Japanese trains.

The train is able to measure and monitor the tracks’ status thanks to lasers and optical cameras. This is an especially helpful function in tunnels.

It is done to ensure that the train can travel safely without hitting any other obstacles such as another train.

Before, trains had to rely on specific machines, located on top of the wagons, with which people manually checked the state of the track lying ahead.

Today, these new-designed wagons measure all issues with the help of modern technologies and optical sensors.

These inspection trains rarely appear at stations and so seeing one is a matter of luck.