Maglev train sets world speed record
Published: Wed, 2015-04-22 14:07- Likes 1
Central Japan Railway Co (JR Tokai) announces that its new ultra-high speed magnetic levitation train set a new world record speed of 603 kilometers per hour during a test run yesterday.
Specially invited members of the public and press were able to watch the train as it run along the 42.8-kilometer test track.
The driverless train utilizes a unique propulsion system called the “L-Zero” that first brings the train to a speed of 160 km/hour. When the train has reached 160 km/hour, it initiates the maglev system and slowly accelerates to 500 km/hour.
The seven-car maglev train runs 10 centimeters above the tracks, propelled by electrically charged magnets.
JR Tokai plans to take a maglev train in service in 2027 on the route between Tokyo and Nagoya, a distance of 286 kilometers.
(Source: AFP)