THSR's New N700ST Train to Roll Out by End of July; NT$2.6 Billion in Maintenance Equipment Procured
Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) announced that its new-generation N700ST train will roll off the production line by the end of July and is expected to arrive in Taiwan in August. To support this, THSR Chairman Shih Che signed a NT$2.6 billion contract with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on May 20 for maintenance equipment to handle the new train's future Bogie Inspections (BI) and General Inspections (GI). The entire project, including vehicle purchase, testing, training, and facility expansion, represents a total capital expenditure exceeding NT$30 billion, the largest since THSR's launch. The new equipment will be installed at the Yanchao Main Workshop, slated for completion by 2028, and will also be compatible with existing 700T trains to enhance overall maintenance efficiency.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 11:58
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Taiwan High Speed Rail's new-generation N700ST train is scheduled to roll off the production line by the end of July, after which it will undergo full-scale testing. To accommodate the Bogie Inspection (BI) and General Inspection (GI) needs after the new train enters service, Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) has procured an additional NT$2.6 billion worth of maintenance equipment.
THSR stated that to ensure the smooth introduction of the N700ST, it has planned and signed 21 sub-contracts over the past year covering dynamic train testing, training, and maintenance materials. Including the cost of the trains and the construction and adjustment of various workshops and facilities, the total amount exceeds NT$30 billion, making it the largest capital expenditure since the high-speed rail began operations.
Regarding progress, the second unit of the first N700ST train set (cars 5 to 8, including business and accessible cars) was successfully delivered by manufacturer Nippon Sharyo, LTD. to Hitachi Ltd. on May 19 for subsequent train integration. This progress suggests that the first train set, originally scheduled to arrive in Taiwan in November, is likely to meet the advanced target of rolling out in July and arriving in August.
To meet future maintenance demands, THSR Chairman Shih Che traveled to Japan on the 20th to sign a NT$2.6 billion "Procurement Contract for Ground Equipment for the Taiwan High Speed Rail New Train Set Procurement Project" with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Shih pointed out that the N700ST introduction project is extremely complex, involving not just the trains themselves but also a series of logistical support, base expansions, production line adjustments, and improvements to the operations control center.
According to the plan, the first N700ST train set is scheduled for its first Bogie Inspection in 2028 and its first General Inspection in 2029. The equipment procured from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will be installed in the new comprehensive workshop being built at the Yanchao Main Workshop and is expected to be completed before the new train's first BI in 2028.
This new equipment will also be compatible with the maintenance needs of the existing 700T model, enhancing the flexibility and maintenance capacity for the dual-fleet operation.
Currently, the Yanchao Main Workshop, THSR's core base for maintenance, is undergoing expansion, including the construction of a new comprehensive workshop and a multi-story parking structure, with completion expected progressively by 2028. The new workshop will also involve upgrading the existing 700T production line so that the N700ST and 700T maintenance lines are compatible and can serve as backups for each other. The goal is to shorten the GI duration to 16 days in the future, thereby improving train operational flexibility and efficiency.
THSR stated that to ensure the smooth introduction of the N700ST, it has planned and signed 21 sub-contracts over the past year covering dynamic train testing, training, and maintenance materials. Including the cost of the trains and the construction and adjustment of various workshops and facilities, the total amount exceeds NT$30 billion, making it the largest capital expenditure since the high-speed rail began operations.
Regarding progress, the second unit of the first N700ST train set (cars 5 to 8, including business and accessible cars) was successfully delivered by manufacturer Nippon Sharyo, LTD. to Hitachi Ltd. on May 19 for subsequent train integration. This progress suggests that the first train set, originally scheduled to arrive in Taiwan in November, is likely to meet the advanced target of rolling out in July and arriving in August.
To meet future maintenance demands, THSR Chairman Shih Che traveled to Japan on the 20th to sign a NT$2.6 billion "Procurement Contract for Ground Equipment for the Taiwan High Speed Rail New Train Set Procurement Project" with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Shih pointed out that the N700ST introduction project is extremely complex, involving not just the trains themselves but also a series of logistical support, base expansions, production line adjustments, and improvements to the operations control center.
According to the plan, the first N700ST train set is scheduled for its first Bogie Inspection in 2028 and its first General Inspection in 2029. The equipment procured from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will be installed in the new comprehensive workshop being built at the Yanchao Main Workshop and is expected to be completed before the new train's first BI in 2028.
This new equipment will also be compatible with the maintenance needs of the existing 700T model, enhancing the flexibility and maintenance capacity for the dual-fleet operation.
Currently, the Yanchao Main Workshop, THSR's core base for maintenance, is undergoing expansion, including the construction of a new comprehensive workshop and a multi-story parking structure, with completion expected progressively by 2028. The new workshop will also involve upgrading the existing 700T production line so that the N700ST and 700T maintenance lines are compatible and can serve as backups for each other. The goal is to shorten the GI duration to 16 days in the future, thereby improving train operational flexibility and efficiency.