The SCMaglev is the world’s fastest train that can cover a distance of more than 350 miles per hour
and it is owned by the central Japan railway company. Everywhere we look, we see inventions
pushing beyond the frontiers of modern technology, and this push is keenly felt in the transport
industry. Hello and welcome to yet another exciting video. In this episode, we will be
telling you about the fastest passenger train in the world called the SCMaglev. If you thought you
knew a thing or two about trains, you are in for a surprise when you are done watching this video.
So sit back, relax, and don’t change the dial as you will learn so much in the next few minutes.
Imagine traveling on land at an astonishing speed similar to the speed at which planes fly?
However, the difference is that, unlike planes, you have the entire world moving past you
as if by the speed of light. That is how the experience is like traveling on a Maglev train.
The Maglev train is a modern train that travels so fast that the wheels do not even touch the
ground once it hits top speed. It’s a dreamlike experience like you are floating in space.
At least that is the way passengers who have traveled on the train describe it.
As a country, Japan is already famous for its advanced Shinkansen train system
rated as one of the best in the world. It came into operation in 1964 and it had maintained this
position as one of the best ever since. For a nation with fast trains already,
one will wonder why planners see the need for a faster bullet train. For the Japanese government,
however, speed is a priority hence the need for trains faster than the ones they already have.
And so, in 2015, the new Maglev bullet train was born after it was tested successfully.
So How does the SC Maglev work? To better understand how the SCMaglev is
able to hit top speed, you need to understand how it works. The Maglev bullet train was developed by
the Central Japan Railway Company in conjunction with the Institute of Railway Technical Research.
The research into superconducting magnetic trains began in the 70s. The central principle of Maglev
technology is basically magnetic repulsion between the train car and the tracks.
Maglev as a word is a combination of “Levitation” and “Magnetic”. So,
the meaning of both words means floating train or magnetic levitation. And to achieve top
speed,this technology uses electrodynamic suspension systems or EDS for short.
As for the rail lines, there are two sets of metal coils that are cross-connected into
a figure 8 electromagnet pattern. Then, on the trains, there are superconducting electromagnets
also called Bogies . When not in motion, the train rests on special rubber wheels.
For motion to be achieved, it has to move forward very slowly on the wheels so that
the magnets underneath the train can interact with the rail tracks. Gradually, momentum is achieved,
and once it reaches a speed of 150 kilometers per hour, a strong magnetic force lifts the
entire train off the ground by 4 inches further eliminating friction to allow the train to run
at an incredible speed. This is why the SCMaglev is called a floating train because, at top speed,
it no longer interacts with the tracks. The same force that lifts the train is also
responsible for moving it forward and keeping it at the center of the track for safety.
And if you’re wondering What is the top speed of the Maglev?
Let me tell you that The SCMaglev bullet train is not called the world’s fastest train for no
reason. During tests in April 2015, the SCMaglev hit a top speed that broke two previous world
records. It clocked 375 miles per hour or 603 kilometers per hour. This made it faster
than the Maglev trains already in operation in Shanghai and South Korea that run at speeds of 268
and 311 miles per hour respectively. The SCMaglev also broke the record of
fast Shinkansen trains. The fastest Shinkansen train run at top speeds of 275 miles per hour.
What’s more? analysts believe that one day, we may see trains clock the same speed reached by air
planes due to the outbreak of new technological innovations that achieve greater velocity. While
such a possibility may frighten others, It doesn’t for the Japanese. Why? Simply because
the country has one of the safest metro lines in the world. In over 60 years of operations,
Japan's Shinkansen trains have recorded zero fatal accidents.
So for this reason, the citizens trust their metro line. In fact,
the metro line is a thing of pride for the people and it has become a national symbol.
The construction of the Maglev system was commissioned in 2009 with a plan to connect
Tokyo to Nagoya by 2027. The plan is to allow passengers to connect both cities in 40 minutes
which will be much faster than flying or using the current Tokaido metro line that takes 90
minutes to complete. The stations that will be constructed enroute will be Lida, Kofu, Shinagawa,
Sagamihara and Nakatsugawa. Subsequently, the long term goal of administrators is to extend the line
from Nagoya to Osaka by 2045. Plans show that more than 80% of the rail tracks will be underground
and will pass through mountainous ranges and sprawling urban centers. At the end
of the construction from Nagoya to Tokyo, the project cost will hit about $55 billion.
Based on the recorded speed of the SC Maglev, it comfortably holds the record
for being the fastest train in the world by a long mile. But how do other bullet
trains compare to it? Let’s take a look. In second spot is France’s TGV high speed train.
The TGV broke the record for the fastest train in the world in 2007
when it hit a top speed of 357 miles per hour. It held the record for close to a decade before it
was beaten by Japan’s L0 Series trains in 2015. TGV is operated by the French railway company,
SNCF and it runs between Paris and Eastern France to Southern Germany.
In regular service, TGV travels at a top speed of 200 miles per hour.
The Hexie is owned by the Chinese. In English Hexie means Harmony. The Hexie can reach top
speeds of 236 miles per hour for commercial trips but for tests, it can reach up to 302 miles per
hour. This high-speed electric train is only one of 4 other Chinese trains that run on the
newly developed high-speed main lines. The others are the CRH380B, CRH380C, and the CRH380D.
The Shanghai Maglev or Transrapid line is a magnetic levitation train that commutes
in and out of Shanghai. This Maglev bullet train is one of the fastest in the world.
Funny enough, it is the oldest Maglev train in operation and
can hit a top speed of 268 miles per hour. It connects Shanghai' Pudong Airport.
The fifth spot is taken by South Korea’s HEMU train that reached a maximum speed of 282 miles
per hour even though it was designed to hit a speed of 267 miles per hour. This train remains
one of the fastest trains in Far East Asia. Number 6 is the Fuxing Hao also of China.
The Chinese are known for their rail technology and the Fuxing Hao or CR Series as it is called
operates at a top speed of 220 miles per hour, but it can reach up to 260 miles per hour.
This train transports passengers from Beijing to Shanghai and back.
Coming up at number 7 is Italy’s Frecciarossa 1000, also called the ETR 400. This European
train is the favorite train of Italians. It travels through Milan, Rome, Florence and Venice.
Although its speed has been limited to 190 miles per hour, the ETR 1000 can reach a top
speed of 245 miles per hour if allowed to. This makes it the second fastest train in Europe.
As you can see from the list, Japan's SC Maglev is not only the fastest Maglev train in the world,
but the fastest train of all. While we do not expect passengers to travel at the 375 mile per
hour top speed that the train is capable of, we still expect a speed of at least 270 miles
per hour for commercial trips. This speed will still make it the fastest train in the world.
The Shinkansen metro line was a thing of pride for Japanese citizens. By 2027, they will have
the SC Maglev which they will be even more proud of. So what do you think of this magnificent
opportunity to safely experience the ultimatum of speed ? Let us know the comments section below,
Don’t forget to hit like and subscribe for more of these videos, See you soon, Take care.