The Fast Train: Experiencing the Maglev Train in Japan

How do Maglev Trains Work?

So, what exactly is maglev technology and what makes it so special? When you break the word up into mag lev, it becomes clearer that the term maglev is a combination of the words magnetic and levitation. Maglev trains, therefore, are trains that float or levitate over a track by harnessing the power of magnetic repulsion.

Unlike a traditional train, a magnetic levitation train uses a special linear motor with no moving parts. Instead, it actually uses magnetic forces to both elevate the train and propel it forward. The magnetic force is created by the interaction between metal coils in the rails or guideways and the superconducting electromagnets on the train itself.

There are two main types of systems, the electromagnetic suspension (EMS) systems and electrodynamic suspension (EDS), but that’s a bit beyond the basics of how maglev trains work.
But why go to all this effort? Well, because there are some major benefits to using this technology on trains. The key benefit though is that by levitating a train over its tracks, you eliminate wheel friction completely. Without friction to worry about, a magnetic train can reach incredibly high speeds and even operate normally at over 500 km/h. In fact, the fastest trains in the world all use maglev technology, with new records constantly being made.

History of Maglev Trains

Even though the concept of a levitating train is a new phenomenon, the history of maglev is a lot older than you might expect. All the way back in 1905, German inventor Alfred Zehden came up with the basic concept for the type of motor used in maglev. By 1941 there were several patents lodged in Germany for what would later be known as a maglev train.

However, it took quite a long time for technology to catch up with these forward-thinking ideas. It wasn’t until 1984 that the first commercial maglev system was introduced, although there were plenty of prototypes before it. This revolutionary maglev shuttle connected Birmingham International Airport with the Birmingham International railway station 600 metres away.

Since then, similar maglev shuttles have been introduced in Berlin, Japan’s Aichi Prefecture and the city of Incheon in South Korea. Then there’s the Shanghai Transrapid, opened in 2004, which you can read more about below. These maglev success stories are just the beginning though, as there are many maglev systems that have been proposed or currently under construction.

What is the Fastest Train in the World?

The World’s Fastest Train

With so much talk about trains and insanely fast speeds, it is only natural to wonder “what is the fastest train in the world”? Well, there are two ways you could look at this, either settling on the fastest train currently operating or go with the fastest train speed ever reached.

The fastest maglev train, and in fact the only high speed mag lev train currently in commercial use, is the Shanghai Transrapid. This train connecting Shanghai Pudong International Airport with Pudong district of Shanghai has a top speed of 430 km/h or 270 mph. That means it can travel over 100km/h faster than the highest bullet train speed.

As for the fastest speeds ever reached by a train, the honour of fastest train in the world goes to the L0 Series SCMaglev in Japan. On its test track this Japanese maglev train reached a top speed of 603 km/h or 375 mph. That incredible achievement means it can travel at almost double regular shinkansen speeds.