According to a South China Morning Post article, China launched its Red Rail this month. This is the world’s first suspended maglev “sky train” line that can stay afloat using permanent magnets, even without the presence of a power supply.
Located in Southern China, this 2,600-foot-long experimental rail allows a typical maglev train to glide above its track, supported by magnetic repulsion and propelled by a linear motor. Moving at 50 mph above its track, the train makes no physical contact with the rail and operates about 32 feet above the ground.
Local authorities have said that the line might even increase to 4.7 miles and its top operational speed could reach 75 mph after some test runs have been conducted.
The Red Rail system is powered by magnets that produce a constant repelling force – strong enough to suspend a train with 88 passengers in the air using the system. Rails and arms surrounding trains are embedded with permanent magnets, resulting in an ‘afloat’ effect through a powerful repelling mechanism.
According to Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, in comparison to other maglev trains, the revolutionary train is said to be more energy-efficient since it only requires a small amount of electricity to propel. Aside from having been constructed at a fraction of the cost of a subway station, the train is believed to generate far less electromagnetic radiation – which eases the general concern of potentially negative effects to people’s health and the environment from high levels of high frequency exposures in the long term.
It should be noted that despite all the benefits of floating maglev technology, there are still many challenges that must be overcome. These include the ability to maintain the train’s stability in an unpowered floating state. With the help of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, researchers have made breakthroughs in train control and operational safety.
The addition of rare earth elements to magnets is expected to drastically increase the sky train lifespan. For instance, neodymium can reduce magnetism loss to less than 5 percent in a century.
With China controlling more than 80% of the world’s permanent magnet production capacity, the country is poised to benefit from an early head start. Sky trains aren’t new in China though. It’s first was the unmanned Chengdu Panda Sky Train inspired by the country’s national animal.