Shanghai Maglev Train

Construction of the Shanghai Maglev train (also known as Shanghai Transrapid) began in March 2001. It was opened in January 2003 and is the first commercial high-speed maglev train in the world, using state-of-the-art electromagnetic levitation technology. Electromagnetic force is used to make the train hover half an inch off the track, while the power for the levitation system is supplied by the train's onboard batteries, which recharge whenever the train is moving.

The train can reach 350 km per hour (220mph) in two minutes, with a maximum normal operating speed of 430 km per hour (267mph). The 30.5km (19 mile) long track took 10 billion yuan to complete. The train runs from downtown Shanghai to Pudong International Airport. The train takes 8 minutes to complete the journey. The train is comfortable and quiet due to the maglev technology and the specially designed sound-proof windows.

German companies spent decades developing maglev technology, which gets its speed advantage from eliminating the friction between the wheels and track on a conventional train line. Shanghai agreed to buy the technology as a way to highlight the city’s high-tech ambitions, although plans for its use on other rail lines in China remain in doubt.

The train is operated by Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Company Ltd.

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