China builds 1000 km maglev train route – for speeds beyond 600 kmph
The maglev technology is based on magnetic forces to elevate the train a few centimeters above the rail and to propel it. Since it does not involve any moving parts, it does not generate any friction. For this reason, trains can achieve very high speeds at higher power efficiency than conventional ones. The maglev technology was brought to series maturity in Europe in the 90s. It is not without irony that at this time it was strongly rejected by environmentalists, so that it could not be implemented anywhere.
According to official Chinese media, modern maglev trains between the cities of Guangzhou and Wuhan will initially run at a speed of 600 km/h. The trains will be equipped with a new technology, which will allow them to travel at a speed of 600 km/h. The journey time between the two cities is to be shortened from about 10 hours to only two hours. At the same time, the maglev line will be designed for a maximum speed of 1,000 km/h as a precautionary measure.
The 1000 kilometer long line will be built by the Wuhan-based China Railway Siyuan Survey and Design Group, which is a subsidiary of the state-owned CRCC China Railway Construction Corporation, reports the Wuhan Evening News citing the Chinese news site Thatsmag.com.
The CRRC Qingdao Sifang launched a state research and development program in July 2016 involving more than 30 Chinese companies, universities and research institutes to develop magnetic high-speed trains. In May 2019, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation then presented a Maglev prototype, which is expected to reach speeds of 600 km/h. The prototype will be developed by the Chinese Railway Rolling Stock Corporation. The company hopes to start series production of the Maglev as early as 2021. Current photos confirm the continuing close system relationship with the original German Transrapid development, which was sold to China in 2002 and implemented on the Maglev line between Shanghai and Pudong Airport.
According to Chinese media reports, construction work on the new line will begin in the provincial capital of Wuhan.
Contradictory information exists on the question of the future use of superconducting materials. Jing Shiyuan, who was introduced in the Wuhan Evening News as an engineer of the state-owned company, spoke of high-temperature superconductors, which should enable the magnetic railways to reach speeds of 1000 km/h. He also said that the company was not aware of the fact that the railway would be able to operate at high temperatures. A corresponding project was started in 2015 and a model for tests was already produced in the following year. It can be assumed that such speeds can currently only be achieved in tunnels with reduced air pressure (partial vacuum). Such concepts (hyperloop), which are currently being discussed more intensively in South Korea, India and China, are controversial among experts with regard to practicability and costs.
In September 2019, the National Railway Administration in China published a series of technical standards for magnetic railways, which will apply from 2020. The standards define and unify the basic technical specifications, including track gauge, which still seems to comply with the Transrapid standard.
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