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Maglev train breaks speed record in Japan

By T.K. Randall
April 23, 2015 · Comment icon 13 comments

Japan is home to the fastest trains on the planet. Image Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 Saruno Hirobano
The state-of-the-art train managed a top speed of 603km/h on a test track near Mount Fuji this week.
Those concerned about the amount of time it takes to complete their daily commute might want to try paying a visit to Japan, a country where high-speed rail services are now the norm.

Particularly impressive are the maglev trains which, with their futuristic bullet-shaped appearance, are able to move across the Japanese countryside at speeds of several hundred kilometers per hour while levitating 10cm above the tracks using magnets.

In a record-breaking stunt this week a seven-car maglev carrying 49 passengers managed to achieve a new world record by reaching a speed of 603km/h. The previous record of 590km/h, which had itself beaten the record of 581km/h set in 2003, was achieved only one week earlier.
"The ride was comfortable and stable," said Yasukazu Endo, head of the Maglev Test Centre. "We would like to continue analysing data and make use of it in designing the cars and other equipment."

Members of the public are likely to have to wait a bit longer before having the chance to experience such extreme speeds for themselves however as the current models in service are only able to travel at around 320 km/h.

To go faster than that it will be necessary to hold on until 2027 when a new 500km/h service will be available to whisk passengers between Tokyo and Nagoya in the space of just 40 minutes.

Source: The Guardian | Comments (13)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #4 Posted by Leonardo 9 years ago
So, the passengers arrive in Tokyo City while their lunch is still in Yokohama?
Comment icon #5 Posted by Lenore Graves 9 years ago
I have motion sickness just thinking about it!
Comment icon #6 Posted by ancient astronaut 9 years ago
I am a certified speed freak (not the drug). I probably would not be able to contain myself if I got to ride this thing. Total rush.
Comment icon #7 Posted by toast 9 years ago
So, the passengers arrive in Tokyo City while their lunch is still in Yokohama? No. But in case of an emergency braking, the lunch will arrive into Tokyo first.
Comment icon #8 Posted by BeastieRunner 9 years ago
I've been on one of those once. It was exciting and unsettling at the same time. It made me wish the US would do more in building our infrastructure up because going from San Francisco to New York in less than 8 hours for less than $100 sounds good to me.
Comment icon #9 Posted by Sundew 9 years ago
Many years ago I rode on one of Japan's bullet trains, I don't think it was maglev tech, but it was going about 175 mph if I remember correctly, perhaps a bit faster. Two things were very cool, the first how fast the landscape races by you; hills, towns and lakes just zoom by. The second, much more unnerving, is when you pass a train going in the opposite direction in the blink of an eye. It shakes the entire train and all you see is a blur.
Comment icon #10 Posted by Zalmoxis 9 years ago
Nuts.
Comment icon #11 Posted by Razer 9 years ago
I rode one of these in Shanghai, the fastest regular commercial train. The acceleration is not extreme at all, just steady, what is really impressive is seeing the world go by at 431 km/h (268 mph) at ground level.
Comment icon #12 Posted by Timonthy 9 years ago
Imagine the crash! Similar to commercial airlines. Obviously a viable option, but it's a matter of time before an accident. IMHO - an essential technology. Australia would benefit hugely from this technology, but we don't have the money.
Comment icon #13 Posted by Rofflaren 9 years ago
I haven't done any research on this but what happens if there is a power outage. It must have wheels too right? Or the friction would probably melt the skids. And what about electro magnetic fields. I guess you need some serious electromagnets to make it levitate and it cant be healthy to spend so much time in these for the people working on the train. Is the trains cabin shielded from that? Or else they will all probably have girls when they decide to get children


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