China unveils new maglev train
24 January 2012 by Ruth Simson
Chinese locomotive company Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive has unveiled its new medium and low-speed magnetically levitated (maglev) trains in Hunan province.
The three-carriage train is designed to run at a top speed of 100km/h and handle about 600 passengers. The company claimed that the trains are low-cost and eco-friendly, boasting zero emissions compared with conventional trains that run on coal or diesel.
Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Company general manager Xu Zongxiang told Xinhua the new train is ideal for mass transportation as it is quiet and environmentally friendly. "Its manufacturing cost is about 75% of a conventional light-rail train," Zongxiang said.
The train has a minimum turning radius of 50m and the company stated that it has reduced the risks of the new maglev train derailment and overturning.
The trains will begin operating next year on the Daitai line between Haidian District and Beijing. The company is also in discussions with other cities about its future operations on other lines.
Maglev trains can accelerate to high speeds as they run suspended in the air by magnetism, avoiding friction between the train and the tracks. Using maglev technology, the new train has electromagnets in the place of wheels and levitates on the guideway. Zhuzhou Electric expects that the new technology will boost the maglev train technology in the future as it also requires low maintenance costs.
China currently operates the first commercial maglev in the world, at Shanghai between a metro station and Pudong International Airport. The train, which entered into service at the end of 2002, takes less than 8 minutes to cover a 30km route with a top speed of 430km/h.
Caption: China operates maglev in Shanghai between a metro station and Pudong International Airport. Credit: Alex Needham.
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