Mag Lev Trains

The basic concept of how a magnetic train works is very simple. The train has magnets all along the underbody. Each magnet is faced the exact same way, with the poles all facing the same direction. As you know from playing with magnets, opposites attract and alike kinds always want to push away. The track which the train rides on is lined with these magnets, with alike poles facing the train. This creates an air cushion between the train and the track.

Forward motion of these magnetic trains, resides on the magnetic propultion of the track. The track is lined with magnets that can be switched rapidly back and forth to attract and push the train. Each magnet has an electronic swith attached to it. All the magnet switches are computer controled to accelerate or decelerate the train.

Today's world has an ever growing need for higher speed and less travel time, and Mag lev trains meet this demand. Maglev trains use superconducting magnets to propell them, and can reach speeds of up to 550 kilometers per hour. Japan is on the forfront of Maglev technology. Japnanese engineers have built a Maglev train known as the MLX01 which is the fasted train reaching a speed of 552 kilometers per hour.

There are two tracks for the MLX01 currently in Japan. One of them is featured above. The Yamanashi test line is where most of the research and testing is performed. The track stretches a span of 42.8km (26.6miles). As stated earlier the MLX01 can reach speeds over 550km/h. However, its main purpose was to test and confirm the miniumum radius curve and steepest gradient and to confirm a steady travel speed of 500km/h (310mph).

Japan has a large number of high speed trains. They hold the world record for speed of any train with the MLX01, known as the "Bullet Train". Japan is one the elite leading countries in Mag lev technology, innovation, and design. Look forward to seeing more Mag lev creations from Japan.

Germany has shown much interest in Mag lev technology. They too are also on the forfront of Maglev design and technology. The principal high speed line in Germany runs between Wurzburg and Hanover, and part of the railway from Stuttgart to Frankfurt is high speed, and there is a major high speed line under construction which will run between Berlin and Hanover.

The only high speed line in Italy runs between Firenze and Rome, a non-stop service using Pendolini trains taking 1hour 30 mins with an average speed of only 103mph, 165km/h.