Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Shanghai Bullet Train @ 250MPH

P

peter2002

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 1, 2002
253
1
Dallas, TX
Chinese and German engineers are rushing to prepare the world's first commercial magnetic levitation train, capable of speeds of around 250 mph, for a debut run some time around New Year's Day, 2003.

By contrast, bullet trains such as France's TGV, Germany's ICE and Japan's Shinkansen top speeds of about 160 mph.

The futuristic German-made "maglev" train has begun trial runs on its 19-mile-long track in Shanghai, Shi Qiong, a spokeswoman for the Shanghai Maglev Transportation Corp, said Tuesday.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2002/12/03/international2159EST0789.DTL

_______________________________________________

Great! Osama has a new target.

Peter :D
 
Very cool.

Now if only we could convince the American public that mass public transportation is a good thing.

Imagine going coast-to-coast on a mag-lev train.

Pure Sweetness.
 
The link isn't working for me - anyone else with that problem?

So, 250 mph, but only a 19 mile track? They'll get up to speed and then have to slow down. At full speed they'll cover the distance in 4.5 minutes.....:rolleyes:

D
 
Originally posted by dukestreet
The link isn't working for me - anyone else with that problem?

So, 250 mph, but only a 19 mile track? They'll get up to speed and then have to slow down. At full speed they'll cover the distance in 4.5 minutes.....:rolleyes:

D
Click to expand...


I would bet that the track is a big oval. Your calculations don't take in to consideration accel and decel time.
 
Originally posted by topicolo
Wouldn't it be insanely expensive to power all of those electromagnets all along the track?
Click to expand...

It depends on how efficient of a conductor they are using. Last I knew maglev was too costly and unreasonable until they could achieve room temperature or near room temperature super-conductors. I understand though that they are getting close with ceramics. This means they don't have to cool the conductor down nearly as much to get as close to a perfect conductor (no resistance) as man has achieved.
 
Originally posted by MacBandit



I would bet that the track is a big oval. Your calculations don't take in to consideration accel and decel time.
Click to expand...

I finally got to read the article, its a straight shot - 7 minute one way, takes a cab 30 minutes. Not bad really. But it would do much better if the track was longer.

D
 
Originally posted by dukestreet


I finally got to read the article, its a straight shot - 7 minute one way, takes a cab 30 minutes. Not bad really. But it would do much better if the track was longer.

D
Click to expand...

You're referring to the eventual transit track. This is not the same as the test track that they refer to.
 
Originally posted by MacBandit


It depends on how efficient of a conductor they are using. Last I knew maglev was too costly and unreasonable until they could achieve room temperature or near room temperature super-conductors. I understand though that they are getting close with ceramics. This means they don't have to cool the conductor down nearly as much to get as close to a perfect conductor (no resistance) as man has achieved.
Click to expand...

True, but don't those new ceramic superconductors still require like -78C to reach superconductivy, and aren't they supposed to be super brittle?

Nice 'tar btw :) I gotta admire a man with taste--err tastes
 
Originally posted by topicolo


True, but don't those new ceramic superconductors still require like -78C to reach superconductivy, and aren't they supposed to be super brittle?

Nice 'tar btw :) I gotta admire a man with taste--err tastes
Click to expand...


I don't really no much about the ceramic superconductors or even modern superconductor technology for that matter.

This was all from my memory from 6 or 7 years ago.

Thanks on the tar. I've been waiting for a response one way or the other on it. I figured I would upset some really PC people. Though that would make me happy.:p :D
 
What are the environmental implications? ie: animals crashing with the train?
 
Beginning of May I took the high speed train from Kunming to Guiyang, a distance of 463km. The comfortable journey took 2.5 hours. The highest speed I saw on the digital display, fitted in every carriage, was 294 kp/h. Later trains on the same route take just 2hrs 8mins. Cost was $33.4. For the most part, China has public transport sorted out. Meanwhile, cars, cities and congestion are in stark contrast. A similar train infrastructure scaled down to fit UK would transform the country.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stylinexpat
Bullet trains and metro trains are simply amazing in China. Hotel to airport is 7 RMB on metro in Shenzhen. That is roughly $1.
As you can see many use it and take advantage of it. Less cars on the road, better air quality and more money in people’s pockets. Last but not least, much faster too!
You can use WeChat on your smartphone to pay too. All easy,convenient,fast and efficient.
I bet if they had a similar option out of LAX it would probably cost at least $15.

Safe..? Inside the metro train there are camera roughly every 8-10 feet.

1E28EC46-5A0E-4EF5-A934-2C0BB3539ADA.jpeg
28F91879-FFFA-45EA-A21B-693ADBF33E04.jpeg
77F594BB-6507-4F6C-8909-0750B3BE3884.jpeg
 
stylinexpat said:
Bullet trains and metro trains are simply amazing in China. Hotel to airport is 7 RMB on metro in Shenzhen. That is roughly $1.
As you can see many use it and take advantage of it. Less cars on the road, better air quality and more money in people’s pockets. Last but not least, much faster too!
You can use WeChat on your smartphone to pay too. All easy,convenient,fast and efficient.
I bet if they had a similar option out of LAX it would probably cost at least $15.

Safe..? Inside the metro train there are camera roughly every 8-10 feet.

View attachment 775689 View attachment 775690 View attachment 775691
Click to expand...
You forgot to factor in the price or basic human rights and privacy, but hey, that is a cheap fare!
 
peter2002 said:
Chinese and German engineers are rushing to prepare the world's first commercial magnetic levitation train, capable of speeds of around 250 mph, for a debut run some time around New Year's Day, 2003.

By contrast, bullet trains such as France's TGV, Germany's ICE and Japan's Shinkansen top speeds of about 160 mph.
Click to expand...

What TGVs have they been on?
They used to cruise at about 300kph (186mph), but I've had a look and the newer models have crusing speeds of 320kph.
 
willmtaylor said:
You’re replying to a 15-year-old comment.
Click to expand...
TGV commercial service was limited to 260 km/h at the beginning (1981). Raised to 270 km/h in 1982. 300 km/h in 1989.

It was not raised to 320km/h until 2007.

The AGV (2008) is engineered for 360 km/h service.

The new TGVs will be about 20% cheaper, 20% more efficient, and take 20% more passengers, engineered for 350 km/h service. First version (USA) in 2021-2023.

Talgo AVRIL 2nd gen is engineered for 380 km/h service.

What happens with maglev is that it can accelerate quickly.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back