The was a 6-car experimental Japanese Shinkansen train operated by Japanese National Railways (JNR) between 1973 and 1981. Design The Class 961 train was developed to test new technology and design features to be incorporated in future high-speed trains for use on the planned Tōhoku Shinkansen and Jōetsu Shinkansen routes in the north-east of Japan. It featured motors in all six cars and was designed to cope with operations in the cold and snowy conditions of north-eastern Japan. A number of interior accommodation configurations were tested, including a restaurant car, compartments, and sleeping berths. Formation The set, designated "S3", was formed as follows. 961-1 Built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Standard seating car based on the 0 series configuration with 3+2-abreast flip-over reversible seating. 961-2 Built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Standard seating car based on the 0 series configuration. 961-3 Built by Nippon Sharyo. Restaurant car interior was added at Hamamatsu Works in 1974. 961-4 Built by Nippon Sharyo. Sleeping car accommodation was added at Hamamatsu Works in 1974, including 4-berth semi-open couchette compartments, longitudinally arranged sleeping berths and deluxe sleeping compartments. 961-5 Built by Hitachi. This car was used exclusively for test equipment. It had no side windows and instead had four large doorways on each side for installing and removing equipment. 961-6 Built by Hitachi. Standard seating car based on the 0 series configuration. History The train was unveiled on 9 July 1973. From 17 July 1973, test running commenced on the Sanyō Shinkansen between and as a 4-car set. Test running as a 6-car formation commenced on 1 August 1973 on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen between and . Test running was suspended thereafter owing to the effects of the 1973 oil crisis. From 16 September 1974, the train was tested on the unopened section of the Sanyō Shinkansen between and , but the maximum speed was limited to due to opposition from lineside residents related to noise levels. The train was put into storage following the opening of the Sanyō Shinkansen extension in March 1975. On 11 May 1979, the Class 961 was transferred from storage at Ōi Depot in Tokyo (now JR Central's Tokyo No. 2 Shinkansen Depot) by road to the shinkansen depot at Oyama in Tochigi Prefecture for use on the "Oyama Test Track" section of the Tōhoku Shinkansen then under construction. Test running started on 5 June 1979, and the lettering "高速試験車" (High-Speed Test Train)