Superconducting magnetic levitation train project in Japan

Abstract

The superconducting magnetic levitated train of Japanese National Railways at Miyazaki achieved its experimental target speed of 500 km/hr by reaching the world record of 517 km/hr in December 1979. The development project of high speed linear motor propulsion train levitated by superconducting magnet, Maglev, was started in 1970 by constructing a new mass-transportation system in the 1980's. The test track in Miyazaki was constructed in 1977 with an inverted T-shape guideway of about 7 km, and vehicles were tested. Now a part of the guideway was changed to a U shape in 1980 and experiments of a new vehicle of a 2 or 3 car make-up with on-board refrigerators and capacity of carrying 2 persons were undertaken. It is expected that these tests will be finalized with a demonstration track of 40 km in the near future. 3 refs.