China has completed the demonstration test of its novel system, marking a significant advancement in the field of ultra-high-speed maglev train technology. With a top speed of 621 miles per hour (1,000 km/h), the new maglev train is expected to revolutionize rail transportation.
The latest trial, conducted in Shanxi province, has showcased the train’s capabilities. As reported by local news publication Xinhua, the maglev train test was a collaborative effort between the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation Limited and Shanxi. This marked the first full-size trial of the low-vacuum tube magnetic levitation transportation system.
Chinese dailies confirmed the test’s success, noting that all desired results were achieved. During the test, a superconducting maglev vehicle operated in a 2-km-long low-vacuum pipeline, demonstrating controlled navigation, stable suspension, safe stopping, and effective handling of curves. The vehicle maintained maximum speed and suspension height within preset values, with the train’s movements aligning perfectly with theoretical trajectories.
One significant accomplishment of the test was establishing and maintaining a long-distance vacuum environment on a large scale. It also verified the efficiency of superconducting navigation control and the coordination between various systems in a low-vacuum environment. Construction of the UHS maglev transportation system began in Yanggao County in 2022, aiming to integrate aerospace technology with railway transportation and achieve speeds of 621 miles per hour.
In 2021, China unveiled a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev train prototype in Chengdu province. Developed at Southwest Jiaotong University, this prototype could reach speeds of up to 385 miles per hour (620 km/h). The HTS maglev technology, free from chemical byproducts and significant noise pollution, boasts stability, energy efficiency, safety, and low operating costs, making it well-suited for high- and ultra-high-speed lines.
China intends to connect different parts of the nation with the UHS maglev transportation system, which may cut the time it takes to go from Beijing to Shanghai to just 1.5 hours. Trains propelled by strong magnetic fields can hover and travel at remarkable speeds thanks to a technology known as “maglev,” or magnetic levitation. This successful demonstration test represents a major development in train technology and has the potential to completely transform international transportation.