Latest news with #ChinaRailways
India Today
4 days ago
- Automotive
- India Today
China's maglev train hits 623 km/h, breaking global speed record. Key details
China's maglev train hits 623 km/h, breaking global speed record. Key details (Photo: X/@ChinaRailways) India Today Information Desk China's maglev train hit 623 km/h in a new test Test done on 2m model in low-pressure tube in Shanghai Design cuts air resistance for higher speeds In a new test run, China's magnetic levitation (maglev) train clocked an impressive speed of 623 km/h, making it the fastest land vehicle of its kind. The high-speed test took place in Tongji University's dedicated low-vacuum tube testing line in Shanghai. The breakthrough puts China even further ahead in the race for next-generation transport, while the US continues to struggle with getting its own projects off the ground. The test was carried out using a scaled-down model that was just 2 metres long and weighed 165 kilograms. What makes this even more interesting is that the track was only 210 metres long and placed inside a tube with pressure 98 per cent lower than normal air. This design sharply reduces air resistance and allows maglev trains to go much faster. This successful run is being seen as a step closer to future vacuum maglev systems that might someday reach speeds of up to 1,000 km/h, faster than commercial airplanes. The project is backed by China's top rail research body, CRRC, and forms part of the country's broader aim to dominate ultra-high-speed rail transport. China's approach heavily centralised planning, state support, and non-stop R&D is allowing it to zoom past countries like the US that rely on fragmented systems and private funding. Whether the Chinese maglev can eventually be commercialised and scaled up remains to be seen. But for now, the country is racing ahead, both literally and figuratively. In a new test run, China's magnetic levitation (maglev) train clocked an impressive speed of 623 km/h, making it the fastest land vehicle of its kind. The high-speed test took place in Tongji University's dedicated low-vacuum tube testing line in Shanghai. The breakthrough puts China even further ahead in the race for next-generation transport, while the US continues to struggle with getting its own projects off the ground. The test was carried out using a scaled-down model that was just 2 metres long and weighed 165 kilograms. What makes this even more interesting is that the track was only 210 metres long and placed inside a tube with pressure 98 per cent lower than normal air. This design sharply reduces air resistance and allows maglev trains to go much faster. This successful run is being seen as a step closer to future vacuum maglev systems that might someday reach speeds of up to 1,000 km/h, faster than commercial airplanes. The project is backed by China's top rail research body, CRRC, and forms part of the country's broader aim to dominate ultra-high-speed rail transport. China's approach heavily centralised planning, state support, and non-stop R&D is allowing it to zoom past countries like the US that rely on fragmented systems and private funding. Whether the Chinese maglev can eventually be commercialised and scaled up remains to be seen. But for now, the country is racing ahead, both literally and figuratively. Join our WhatsApp Channel
Al Jazeera
27-01-2025
- Al Jazeera
Millions in China head home for Lunar New Year in ‘record high' migration
Railway stations and airports across China have seen the biggest peak in travellers in advance of the Lunar New Year as millions of people return home to spend the holidays with their families in an annual migration that is expected to be a record. The Chinese New Year, the Year of the Snake, begins on Wednesday. During the traditional 40-day period that runs before, during and after the holidays, some nine billion interprovincial passenger trips, on all forms of transport combined, are expected to be made, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Train and air travel are expected to 'hit record highs' during this year's migration, Xinhua said. The Ministry of Transport said it expects 510 million train trips and 90 million air trips during the period. According to China Railways, which has added thousands of trains to meet demand, Saturday was 'the main peak' at stations before the holidays. It said it used data from ticket sales and waiting lists to predict and regulate supply. With many people working and studying in provinces other than theirs because of better opportunities, there is a large population migration around the New Year holiday.
