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In this article, Caleb informs readers about the fastest train in the world and the advancement in ground transportation through these trains.
Maglev trains
Maglev trains
By: Caleb Sullivan
By: Caleb Sullivan
People know that trains are fast, but common trains are nothing compared to the Maglev Train. Not only are Maglev Trains the fastest train and form of ground transportation, but they also nearly double the speed of Bullet Trains-- the fastest train during their time. The first Bullet Trains launched in 1964 and Maglev Trains launched in 1984.
Maglev Trains are vastly evolved and different compared to other types of trains, having a complex process and structure compared to traditional trains. Rather than relying on wheels on train tracks to travel, Maglev trains use electromagnets, which allow them to float over guideways using magnetic levitation to lift the train and electromagnetic propulsion to push it forward. As stated by the BBC, “It's based on the principle that when magnets are pushed together north-north or south-south, they repel each other.” Another big difference between Maglevs and ordinary trains is the use of magnets, which allows the train to run without an engine, using the magnetic field caused by electrified coils in the guideways and the track together to propel the train.
Diagram explaining the guidance for the maglev train. Source
The tracks are unique and separate themselves from normal train tracks as they have magnetic coils running through the beams, which act as the guideway. These magnetized coils allow the train to levitate through magnetic forces. As stated by HowStuffWorks, a website dedicated to informing their readers of worldwide questions through articles, videos and podcasts, these magnetic coils “repel the large magnets on the train's undercarriage, allowing the train to levitate between 0.39 and 3.93 inches (1 to 10 centimeters) above the guideway…Once the train is levitated, power is supplied to the coils within the guideway walls to create a unique system of magnetic fields that pull and push the train along the guideway.” Once these coils are electrified, the electrical current supplied is constantly alternating; the polarity of the magnetized coils changes according to the current electrical charge. This change in polarity causes the magnetic field in front of the train to pull it forward, with the back of the train being pulled as well to gain more propulsion.
The main cause of the Maglev Train’s astonishing speed comes from its magnetic propulsion, providing levitation, which eliminates all of the friction caused by the ground, as well as going fast in general due to this efficient and powerful propulsion. Its aerodynamic design, which minimizes air resistance, allows these trains to reach unprecedented speeds. The world record speed acquired by a Japanese experimental track in Yamanashi, reaching 603 km/h (374 mph). The commercial speeds of Japanese Maglev Trains reaches 430 km/h (267-268 mph). And Japan is not done just yet! Japan is working on a Tokyo-to-Osaka route that is planned to be open by 2037. When completed, it plans to cut down that travel time of nearly three hours to merely an hour and even minutes, and with speeds of 310 mph, you could travel from Paris to Rome in only a little over two hours.
Despite being the fastest train and form of ground transportation in the world, the Maglev Train is still far from being the fastest vehicle, but who knows: with how passionate Asian countries are with Maglev projects, they might be a good competitor to some air vehicles. There are many comparisons that a person can compare to the speed of a Maglev Train, but BBC News compares it to the fastest person, animal and the fastest wind. With the combined speed of the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, it would take 13 and a half of him to catch up to a Maglev Train. As for cheetahs, the fastest land animal, it would take five and one-third to catch up to a Maglev Trains. But that's not all! Maglev Trains are a bit faster than the fastest winds on earth, which reached a speed of 318 MPH on May 3, 1999– and only slightly slower than a slow bullet, the slowest variant of .38 bullets only reaching speeds of 402 mph, which is only 28 mph slower than Maglev Trains.
The advancement of these trains is exciting. How fast they will be in a century or so? I hope you readers will also be excited for technological advancements in transportation around the world.
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