China's Maglev Train - World's Fastest

 Levitating Maglev Train

Source:  China's Maglev Train

Fastest Ground Vehicle on Earth

China has revealed a Maglev train that is capable of travelling more than 370 mph. The train uses electromagnetic force to hover above the track.  There is no contact between the train and the rail.  The highly innovative and breakthrough train is the fastest ground vehicle on Earth.  It has the potential to travel from Beijing to Shanghai, which is a 620-mile distance, in 2&1/2 hours.  Travelling the same route by a conventional plane takes 3 hours.  Current high-speed rail service takes 5&1/2 hours.  This prototype train is a real game-changer in the world of travel. 

Awesome Technology

This technology is remarkable.  It is called magnetic levitation.  Electromagnetic force allows the train to levitate above the rails.  There is no friction, enabling the train to hit scorching speeds.  The potential of the technology is 600 mph plus.  

Future of the Technology

The future of this technology is big but so too are the costs of building the infrastructure systems and tracks needed for the Maglev. China has been developing the technology for 20 years but has not built a long-distance track system for the Maglev.  Germany and Japan are looking to deploy the technology.  And, in the US, two entrepreneurs are very active with projects.  Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Hyperloop has tested a prototype successfully at 100 mph.  He believes that his hyperloop could eventually carry passengers from New York City to Washington, DC in less than 30 minutes. Elon Musk has pushed his concept of a hyperloop that would carry passengers in pods inside an airless tube at speeds up to 600 mph. And the US government has considered Maglev type trains for the busy Northeast Corridor, but cost has put a drag on the projects.  The US' fastest train, the Acela, has a top speed of 135 mph - not even close to the blistering speed of China's Maglev.