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Magnetic Levitation Train Hits 310 MPH

Posted September 04, 2013 9:43 AM

From Discovery News:

Japan's railways are (rightly) famous for their bullet trains that move at up o 200 miles an hour. The Central Japan Railway Co. recently tested one that makes the bullet trains seem positively slow, reaching 310 miles per hour.

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Guru
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#1

Re: Magnetic Levitation Train Hits 310 MPH

09/04/2013 9:56 AM

So when is a train not a train and a ground-effect aircraft instead?

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Magnetic Levitation Train Hits 310 MPH

09/04/2013 11:50 AM

When it is guided (restricted) by a rail?

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Guru

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#3
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Re: Magnetic Levitation Train Hits 310 MPH

09/05/2013 3:10 AM

When it derives its support from aerodynamic effects? This one is supported against gravity by magnetic levitation, and would work just fine in a vacuum. It wouldn't need the elongated snout or smooth surfaces, just an enclosure for any contents not compatible with vacuum, like passengers, livestock,etc., so it might gain even more efficiency than eliminating the air drag would imply. A wheeled train, likewise, would still be a train even if it reached this speed, as long as it did not shift to aerodynamic support at a lower speed.

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#4

Re: Magnetic Levitation Train Hits 310 MPH

09/05/2013 5:59 AM

Although still slower than the record breaking TGV which is a conventionally guided train.

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