was added to the nose section of the train from 9 June. On 7 December 1979, the Class 961 recorded a world speed record of on the Oyama Test Track, breaking the previous world record of set by the Class 951 Shinkansen in 1972. Following the opening of the Tōhoku Shinkansen in 1981, the Class 961's role as a test train ended, and it was stored at Sendai Shinkansen Depot. It was officially withdrawn on 10 August 1990. Preservation End cars 961-1 and 961-6 are preserved outdoors at Sendai Shinkansen Depot. These cars have been repainted into "Tōhoku Shinkansen" ivory and green livery. A brass plaque commemorating the world speed record of set by this train in 1979 is displayed inside car 951-1 at Kokubunji in Tokyo. References Experimental and prototype high-speed trains 961 Train-related introductions in 1973 Hitachi multiple units 25 kV AC multiple units Nippon Sharyo multiple units Kawasaki multiple units