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Japan and China Race to Faster Maglev Trains

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China unveiled on Tuesday a domestic magnetic levitation train capable of reaching 600 kph. This would be the fastest train ever built by China. Japan previously demoed a 603 kph train.

CRRC touts the maglev’s lightness and durability as its strengths. The train can make the trip from Beijing to Shanghai in three and a half hours, including wait times, according to a 2019 estimate. That cuts about two hours from the time needed for a conventional bullet train to travel the same distance.

CRRC has not released a detailed plan for commercializing the maglev. CRRC exports trains worldwide.

Japan’s JR Central is building a maglev line connecting Tokyo and Nagoya on which the train will run at a maximum operating speed of 500 kph.

CRRC Qingdao Sifang Rolling Stock Research Institute (CRRC SRI) said the train will feature a self-developed brake system.

CRRC SRI has also supplied a coupler, anti-vibration system, electricity system, passenger information system, and other essential components for the maglev train.

Technicians of the company developed the magnetic poles for whirlpool brakes on the maglev train in a span of 19 months.

The train is equipped with a power supply system. If the speed exceeds 100km/h, the train will operate on a non-contact power supply.

SOURCES – Nikkei, Rail Technology
Written By Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com

14 thoughts on “Japan and China Race to Faster Maglev Trains”

  2. Interesting that they are still committed to extending the original german Transrapid design they licensed.

  3. not sure they jump track as much as crumple and impact the adjacent infrastructure.
    Some crazy videos of some of the european almost-TGVs crashing over the years…

  4. mostly about the vehicle's ability to 'grab and hold' – shut down and reduce speed as safely as possible under automatic triggers.

  6. A 6+ will cause a lot more damage than simply a jumped 300+ mph maglev — likely a 1/10% of expected loss in an urban environment near the epicenter.

  7. Craziness. China has areas of significant seismic activity. Not convinced that maglevs have the safety tech for richter magnitudes of 5 – 6 or more – and there may be years with a handful or more of 6s. I mean they may 'say' they do — but…

  8. Classic steel wheels trains are able to be developed up to 400 kph (around 250 mph) with no mayor development. Only aerodynamics and infrastructure techniques (rail on concrete plates for example).

  10. Sir! Please conduct yourself with more dignity than to sink to puns about current events. Resist the urge.

  12. In the 300 mph range it is not clear that a properly designed steel wheel on steel rail system wouldn't be cheaper. Perhaps a gyroscopically balanced train with inline wheels on a single rail could get rid of the tremendous cost of magnets along the whole distance. I have not seen any comment on the wind noise these things create as they pass by. At higher speeds for that reason alone the hyperloop would be the only way to go.

  13. I went 300kmph on the Shanghai Maglev. It was not nearly as comfortable as a Japanese bullet train which I went on on the same trip. There is a noticeable lateral sway that is not confidence-inducing. You don't want to be bouncing side to side at that speed.

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