BLUF
The world’s first experimental maglev transit system using permanent magnets rather than electromagnets has carried its first passengers on an 800-metre test track in China—without needing a power supply.Summary
Loz Blain writing in New Atlas, makes the following points:
- Maglev trains/vehicles are nearly silent, need little maintenance and use less energy to accelerate.
- Rare earths are required to make the electromagnets.
- China dominates rare earth production.
- A Sky Train costs about ten percent of a subway.
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
- Paris to Berlin in an hour: Welcome to the future of high-speed rail travel in Europe - The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- Australia’s opportunity to manufacture rare-earth magnets - The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
References from the Web:
- AUG 2022 China's new 'sky train' LEVITATES on a magnetic track 33 feet in the air and can glide along silently at speeds of up to 50mph without electricity- Daily Mail
- AUG 2022 China’s New ‘Sky Train’ Doesn’t Need Power to Levitate on a Magnetic Track-Robb Report
