China developing super-fast maglev

The file photo shows a model of maglev train was shown at an exhibition held in Dalian, Liaoning province in 2006. (Photo source: cankaoxiaoxi.com)

(ECNS) -- China is developing a kind of "super maglev" transportation system with a vacuum tube design, which would enable the train to travel at a maximum 2,900 kilometers per hour, cankaoxiaoxi.com said on Tuesday

Initiated by a research institute under Southwest Jiaotong University in Chengdu, Sichuan province, the project uses the technique of running the train inside a vacuum tube, removing air resistance and enabling it to travel at super high speeds.

The research team has already tested China's first megathermal superconducting maglev loop, said Deng Zigang, leader of the program.

"Our next step is to combine the vacuum tube design with the megathermal superconducting maglev loop and carry out related tests," Deng said.

With the new technology, a train with no passengers on board can run at a speed of 50 kilometers per minute.