China launches world’s fastest maglev train

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – The maglev express train that can reach speeds of up to 600 kilometers per hour (373 miles per hour) has made its debut in Qingdao, China.

Developed by the state-owned China Railway Corporation, it is considered the fastest train in the world.

“Maglev” is an abbreviation for “magnetic levitation”. The train appears to be “floating” thanks to an electromagnetic force that causes it to slide over the rails.

In addition to its speed, the train emits low levels of noise pollution and requires less maintenance than other high-speed trains, Liang Jianying, deputy general manager and chief engineer of CRRC Sifang, told Chinese state media.

A prototype of the new maglev train was revealed to the media in 2019. In the same year, China announced ambitious plans to create “3-hour transport circuits” between major metropolitan areas.

China’s new maglev train is designed to reach a speed of 600 kilometers per hour.

China Feature/Barcroft Media/Getty Images

High-speed rail is a major priority in China, and it aims to connect more of its large cities by train to reduce the time and expense needed to travel around the world’s most populous country.

Currently, the average high-speed train in China can travel at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour, while planes fly at a speed of 800-900 kilometers per hour. Trains like the one unveiled in Qingdao this week could fill a critical middle space.

However, one thing prevents this train from being ready to receive passengers – the lack of completed magnetic track networks.

Currently, China has only one magnetic line for commercial use, connecting Shanghai’s Pudong Airport with the city’s Longyang Road station. The 30 km (19 miles) journey takes about seven and a half minutes, with train speeds reaching 430 km/h (267 mph).

The 270-mile railway between Lhasa and Nyingchi entered service on June 25, giving all regions in mainland China access to high-speed rail travel.

Several new maglev networks are said to be under construction, including one linking Shanghai and Hangzhou and another linking Chengdu and Chongqing.

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