China has successfully tested its new ultra-high-speed (UHS) maglev train, which can reach speeds up to 621 mph, making it the fastest train in the world.
The demonstration, carried out in Shanxi Province, marks a significant milestone in China’s efforts to remain the global leader in rail technology. The new maglev, or magnetic levitation, train was tested in a 2-kilometer-long low-vacuum tube in Yanggao County, Datong City.
The technology, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Limited in partnership with Shanxi Province, floats the train above the tracks using magnetic levitation and places it in a low-pressure tube. That eliminates friction, allowing the train to move much faster than traditional trains.
It would more than double the top speed of the current operational fastest train in the world, China’s Shanghai Maglev, which can travel at 286 mph.
During the test, the maglev train showed it could navigate accurately, stay stable and stop safely, according to Chinese media outlets CGTN and Xinhua News. The train’s speed and height were exactly as planned, and all systems worked as expected.
The test also proved that it is possible to maintain a large vacuum inside the tube, which is essential for reducing air resistance and achieving high speeds.
Construction of this UHS maglev system started in April 2022. The goal is to integrate space technology with ground transportation to create a train that can travel faster than most commercial airplanes.
The long-term plan is to use this system to connect major cities in China, such as Beijing and Shanghai, reducing travel time between them to about 90 minutes.
Source: Newsweek
