Maglev - High Speed Train Experience Video

Yesterday I had an opportunity to ride on the MAGLEV in Shanghai which is a high speed train that levitates on magnets and can go over 400 km/hr. Below you will find a video on how fast this thing really goes.

What is Maglev? From Wikipedia: Maglev (derived from magnetic levitation), is a system of transportation that suspends, guides and propels vehicles, predominantly trains, using magnetic levitation from a very large number of magnets for lift and propulsion. This method has the potential to be faster, quieter and smoother than wheeled mass transit systems. The power needed for levitation is usually not a particularly large percentage of the overall consumption; most of the power used is needed to overcome air drag, as with any other high speed train.

Perhaps the most well known implementation of high-speed maglev technology currently operating commercially is the Shanghai Maglev Train, an IOS (initial operating segment) demonstration line of the German-built Transrapid train in Shanghai, China that transports people 30 km (19 mi) to the airport in just 7 minutes 20 seconds, achieving a top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph), averaging 250 km/h (160 mph).

Voice and videoed by my colleague Greg Birch

Too bad we couldn't show you the train reaching it's top speed of over 420km/hr. The weather was quite bad with lightning etc, so they capped the speed at 300 K's. It's a great experience and it reaches the city in just over 7 mins. The cars and trucks just whiz by and when the Maglev tilts and the experience is just like a video game and it feels kind of weird. If ever you take a trip to Shanghai be sure to take an awesome ride on the Maglev. It takes you right from the airport to near the city and it costs about 50RMB which is a little over AU$7. It is an experience you will never forget!

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