Japan's Maglev Train Has Broken The World Speed Record

Japan's Maglev Train Has Broken The World Speed Record

Central Japan Railway Co. has revealed that their futuristic magnetic levitation train has broken a world speed record, travelling at 590kph.

The previous world record was rather fittingly was set by the Central Japan Co. over 12 years ago yet already the company is saying that it plans to break it again next week with a run that should hit 600kph.

How can the train reach such a speed? Well it'll travel on wheels up until around 160kph and then high-powered electromagnets are engaged, physically lifting the train away from the track. By removing the friction the wheels create, the train is able to travel at enormous speeds.

Sadly if you're hoping that every journey will be as fast then that simply won't be the case. The company says these test runs are simply to test the train to its extreme limits. When it finally enters service in 2027, the train will only travel at a positively snail-paced 505kph.

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