Super Caught a glimpse of this in Suzukawas unboxing of the new Buzy Announce! Sound Shinkansen Series E7 Kagayaki Rail Set . Take a look at the engines front wheel in the picture below, ever seen a wheel made like this before? Wonder why this is? At the 5:23 mark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6PzTqTX3VEUntitfraled.jpg87kB
Ucwepn It looks like it could pass through a sensor either on the loco or track to activate some feature.