NAGOYA — A seven-car shinkansen line inspection train runs about once every 10 days between Tokyo and Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture, and rail buffs who spot it claim it brings good luck.

The train has been nicknamed "Dr. Yellow" because of its color but it is officially called a comprehensive shinkansen test train.

Nobumasa Naruchi of West Japan Railway Co.'s shinkansen management headquarters said it is "what you might call an X-ray train, in that it collects data on deflections of overhead wires and bending of the rails while running."