China Has Debuted 400-MPH ‘Super Bullet’ Maglev Train, Mass Transit Design

The train was created to move at speeds up to 385 mph (620 km/h), but the researchers claimed they are pushing the maximum speed to 497 mph (800 km/h). This novel maglev is integral to Beijing’s aim to build faster infrastructural links between cities.

Comparing Japan’s Shinkansen to China’s new maglev

Notably, Japan’s maglev train called Chuo Shinkansen — which set a 2015 world record at 374 mph (603 km/h) — doesn’t match the speed of the new one in China.

One alleged difference between the Chinese and Japanese train, the Chinese research team alleges, is that the latter needs to accelerate before achieving levitation, while the new one from China can levitate from a stand-still.

Naturally, maglev technology is crucial to both trains — since they make use of superconductor magnets, via which a train may levitate roughly 3.9 inches (10 cm) above the rails while magnets move the train forward.

Superconductor magnets drive maglev trains

Superconductivity happens when electrical resistance approaches a zero-state when cooled to very low temperatures. Japan’s Chuo Shinkansen maglev line uses liquid helium to bring the temperature down to -452°F (-269°C) — which is necessary for superconductivity, explained State Key Laboratory of Traction Power’s Deng Zigang of Southwest Jiaotong University.

“Liquid helium is very expensive,” Zigang said, according to SyFy Wire. “Here we achieve superconductivity at a slightly higher temperature by using liquid nitrogen — and that slash[es] the cost to one-fiftieth.”

Managing high prices to push maglev speed

Indeed, the price for high-speed isn’t cheap. Liquid nitrogen is estimated at roughly $38.65 million (250 million yuan) per kilometer of rail — which might drop sharply if the technology gains enough popularity to achieve wider development.

Senior Engineer of the research team behind China’s train Wu Zili said the estimated cost of constructing a new maglev line would fall between $38.65 million (250 million yuan) and $46.42 million (300 million yuan) — considerably more than the $30.95 (200 million yuan) per kilometer cost of high-speed rail.

This cost could drop if maglev lines enter the mainstream of mass public transportation.

More long-range real-world tests in store for maglevs

Additionally, since maglev train cars are lighter in weight, it would cost less to build bridges. The recent Chinese prototype is composed partially of carbon fiber, and is only half the weight of the more conventional high-speed trains.

There is also an issue with the loud noise superconducting maglev trains can make. But engineers involved in maglev train development hope to reduce noise production via tweaking the aerodynamics in train and train car design. While we’re still some time from a real-world mass transit alternative at speeds approaching 400 mph, researchers are already planning to lay an experiment track with much more length — to test new maglev designs in a more real-life environment.