A Japanese company said its magnetic levitation train set a speed record this week, reaching 366 mph on a test track.
The Central Japan Railway Japanese train sets record at 366 mph Co., often called JR Central, said the test run involved a seven-car “maglev” train on a 26.6-mile track in Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture. The company said it hopes to break the speed record again Tuesday.
Magnetic levitation, or “maglev,” train systems use magnets to lift and propel the train, promising a ride that’s smoother, quieter and nearly twice as fast as traditional high-speed rail. JR Central set the previous maglev train speed record of 361 mph on the same track in
December 2003, according to the company.
Japanese officials plan to open a maglev line between Tokyo and the city of Nagoya in 2027, cutting the 90-minute travel time between the two on a traditional high-speed rail line by more than half. Because maglev trains require straight, even and predictable
terrain to run smoothly, most of the route will be through tunnels.
“It’s good news obviously that the technology keeps advancing, and that countries are focusing on this,” said Andy Kunz, president of the U.S. High Speed Rail Association.
“We consider high-speed rail the future, no question — from energy use, to being able to move large numbers of people quickly, to climate solutions.”