The Proposal
The proposal is as exotic as it is audacious: Get on a train at New York City’s Penn Station and hit Paris, London or Brussels just an hour later. “From an engineering point of view there are no serious stumbling blocks,” says Ernst Frankel, retired professor of ocean engineering at MIT. To do so, however, The Trans-Atlantic MagLev, as it is called, is going to have to employ Mag-lev technology like it has never been employed before.
The Technology
Magnetic levitation transport, or maglev, is a form of transportation that suspends, guides and propels vehicles via electromagnetic force. This method can be faster and more comfortable than wheeled mass transit systems. Maglevs could potentially reach velocities comparable to turboprop and jet aircraft (500 to 580 km/h). Maglevs have operated commercially since 1984. However, scientific and economic limitations have hindered the proliferation of the technology.
Maglev technology has minimal overlap with wheeled train technology and is not compatible with conventional railroad tracks. Because they cannot share existing infrastructure, maglevs must be designed as complete transportation systems. The term “maglev” refers not only to the vehicles, but to the vehicle/guideway interaction; each being a unique design element specifically tailored to the other to create and precisely control magnetic levitation and propulsion.
Filed under: Oil, Your Mindset | Tagged: maglev, transportation
Just too bad the actual train is so expensive, would be excelent for Canada. the top speed is 500 China had done it at 586mph.
The rail is eleveated and not to much area is 3/4 of the rail there now, too bad the hight is quite a bit more for some tunnels alread there. but who knows could go over the mountain.
This should be seriously looked at when the price for the train is better.
Could run solely on solar if ran in high frequency so the magnets keep moving and clear ofsnow in the winter.
Best easiest form of transportation for north America! Absolutely!
Nice Find.
R.D.
Just too bad the actual train is so expensive…
It is not nearly as expensive as unnecessary wars and the recent gifts to the international bankers.