Bullet trains new & safe design

先日初代０系新幹線がラストランを迎えました。
古い新幹線が去り、安全対策が考慮された
新型が生まれてきます。

Bullet trains, which are commonly known as
shinkansens, have been operating since 1964.
Until four years again in October 2004 in
Niigata Prefecture, bullet trains had never
had an accident from earthquakes. But since
2004 East Japan Railway Company has designed
a new safety design to help secure the bullet
train wheels. The design looks like an L-shaped
plate that helps to stop the bullet trains from
falling over during dangerous earthquakes.

Do you remember the Joetsu Shinkansen that
derailed in October 2004 in Niigata? I do. It was
televised. I remember seeing some passengers
filmed when the severe earthquake happened.
The passengers looked shocked, they sat quietly
in their seats.

operate=働く、作動する
secure=安全にする
=to make something/someone safe
derail=脱線する
=fall over/wheels slipped from rail tracks
televised=テレビ放送された
=shown on television, usually shown on news reports

Homework Quiz:
When did bullet trains start operating?
Why did East Japan Railway Company make
a new design for bullet trains?
What happened in October 2004 and where?
Write your opinion about the Joetsu
Shinkansen accident (at least 2 sentences)