Newspaper Discussion of 12/16

“Last Regular Run For Classic Train.” The Japan Times Online 1 December 2008
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20081201a4.html




Written Summary:



According to this article, one of the first types of bullet train ran on its final regular run at Sunday, November 30, after running 44 years. About 2,000 train aficionados came to see off the 0 Series model, which has a round-nose.　West Japan Railway Co. said that all reserved seats - that was 152 seats - were sold out on that train, and hundreds more flocked to the station for the 248 non-reserved seats.




Opinion Statements:



It is very sad that the oldest type of the bullet train won’t run regularly from now on. I think that West Japan Railway Co. should keep it in the way that it can run.




Questions:



1. Have you ever ridden on the bullet trains? How many times?
2. Which do you like better, normal trains or the bullet trains?
3. Are you an aficionado of something? If yes, please tell me more about it. If no, why not?







Words



1. bullet train「新幹線、弾丸列車」


2. aficionado 「ファン、こり屋、（闘牛の）熱愛者」


3. reserved seats 「指定席」


4. flock 「多数、一団、群れ」　


5. non- reserved seats「自由席」