One of my greatest wishes for many, many years has been to ride a Shinkansen train in Japan. It was a slow journey to a fast train but I finally made it!
That wish has finally been achieved!
Additionally, the view from our room in Kyoto has only been perfect. Some persons want to look out at mountains and oceans, but I will take this trainspotter’s view anytime.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/04cP9bb4oXPl3tMT94dsucK0Q
The first Shinkansen train ran in 1964. The word means “new” (shin) and mainline (kansen).
These trains run like precision watches at speed approaching 320 kms/hour. Thru are almost always on time. [Ed. Note- The GANG OF FOUR song “Outside The Trains Don’t Run on Time” is not based on any Shinkansen experience the band had…]
One of my favourite record labels was SARAH RECORDS. It was created in Bristol by CLAIRE WADD and MATT HAYNES in 1987. After releasing approximately 100 7” records and a clutch of LPs , they ended the label in 1995. HAYNES then went on to form a new label- SHINKANSEN RECORDINGS. Named after the famous bullet trains, this label continued the tradition of SARAH by releasing that quintessential dream pop with many of the same bands (and a few others.)
The first single in the label was by TREMBLING BLUE STARS. That was the 3rd band championed by BOBBY WRATTEN (following FIELD MICE and NORTHERN PICTURE LIBRARY.)
[Ed. Note- Starting in 2000, Group Membet BETH ARZY joined this band.]
Here is the 1st single (Shinkansen 01) is “Abba On The Jukebox” b/w “She’s Always There” for your your high speed rail experience.
SPOTIFY-
https://open.spotify.com/track/31oByDa3Autm1YTgRTV5Pb?si=Yh9q0H6-Tm6QRRwFv6DCYQ
(SONG 1644)
Play Loud Or Perish
4/2/2026
underground365 
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