China approves technical plan to build maglev train that could run at 600 kmph

  Beijing: China has approved a technical plan to build magnetic levitation train which can run at 600 kmph, said state-run CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co, Ltd, the initiator of the research project. [caption id=“attachment_4322475” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Shanghai’s $1.2 billion maglev train. Reuters[/caption] The technical plan was reviewed by 19 academicians and experts. After queries and discussion, the reviewing team affirmed the plan and approved it unanimously on January 25, official media in Beijing reported on Saturday. The project is one of 18 national key research and development plans set by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2016. As a new and cutting-edge transit technology, high-speed magnetic levitation railway has attracted huge attention. Japan’s superconducting magnetic levitation train reached a top test speed of 603 kmph, and the German-designed vehicle can hit 505 kmph. The operating speed of the maglev trains in Shanghai, which use German technology, is 430 kmph. China has already built about 25,000 kms network of high-speed trains which travels at about 350 kmph.