China has successfully completed a demonstration test of its ultra-high-speed (UHS) maglev train, which can reach speeds of up to 621 miles per hour (1,000 km/h), making it the fastest train in the world.
The test, conducted in Shanxi province, marks a significant milestone for the advanced transportation system.
What Is Maglev? How Magnetic Levitation Works
Maglev, short for magnetic levitation, is a technology that uses magnets to lift and propel objects, like trains, without touching the ground.
It works by using powerful magnets to create magnetic fields that repel or attract each other, allowing the object to float and move smoothly. This eliminates friction, making maglev systems very fast and efficient.
China’s UHS Maglev System
The UHS maglev system was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Limited in collaboration with Shanxi. This test was the first full-scale trial of the low-vacuum tube magnetic levitation technology.
The technology uses magnetic levitation to float the train above the tracks inside a low-pressure tube. This design eliminates friction, enabling the train to travel much faster than traditional trains. Chinese media reports confirm that the test was successful, meeting all expected outcomes.
Successful Test Results
According to a report by Xinhua, a superconducting maglev vehicle was tested in a 2-kilometer-long pipeline under a low-vacuum environment.
The test demonstrated that the maglev train could navigate with precision, maintain stable suspension, and stop safely. It also managed to handle curves along the route effectively.
The test proved that the vehicle’s maximum speed and suspension height were consistent with the predetermined values, showing that the maglev vehicle performed within the expected range.
The report also affirms that all systems worked as expected, with the train’s movements perfectly matching the planned trajectory.
A key achievement of the demonstration was proving that a long-distance vacuum environment can be created and sustained on a large scale. It also validated the efficiency of superconducting navigation control and the coordination between different systems in a low-vacuum environment.
China’s Maglev Ambitions
In 2022, China started building the UHS maglev transportation system in Yanggao County. The system combines aerospace technology with railways to achieve train speeds of 621 miles per hour, according to officials.
In 2021, China unveiled a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev train prototype in Chengdu province, capable of reaching speeds of up to 385 miles per hour (620 km/h).
Developed at Southwest Jiaotong University, the HTS maglev technology is praised for being stable, energy-efficient, safe, and cost-effective. Additionally, it produces no chemical byproducts and minimal noise pollution.
China previously stated that the HTS maglev technology is ideal for high- and ultra-high-speed rail lines. At that time, experts theorized that this technology could enable trains to reach speeds of up to 621 miles per hour (1,000 km/h).
For comparison, the Boeing 747, a large commercial airliner, has a maximum speed of around 600-620 miles per hour.
Today, China plans to use the UHS maglev system to connect different regions. With this system, the journey from Beijing to Shanghai could take just 1.5 hours, offering a significant time-saving solution. Only China, Japan, and South Korea have these trains in service.