Airborne Trains #in-flight

This may look like a standard train, but in fact it is the new maglev train, which is air borne, using powerful electromagnets. Maglev is short for magnetic levitation, which means that these trains will float over a guide way using the basic principles of magnets to replace the old steel wheel and track trains.

Maglev trains do not have an engine to pull typical train cars along steel tracks. The magnetic field created by the electrified coils in the guide way walls and the track combine to propel the train.

The magnetized coil running along the track, called a guide way, repels the large magnets on the train's undercarriage, allowing the train to levitate between 1-10 cm above the guide way (Even when Tam hops on!). Once the train is levitated, power is supplied to the coils within the guide way walls to create a unique system of magnetic fields that pull and push the train along the guide way. The electric current supplied to the coils in the guide way walls is constantly alternating to change the polarity of the magnetized coils. This change in polarity causes the magnetic field in front of the train to pull the vehicle forward, while the magnetic field behind the train adds more forward thrust.

Maglev trains float on a cushion of air, eliminating friction. This lack of friction and the trains' aerodynamic designs allow these trains to reach unprecedented ground transportation speeds of more than 310 mph (500 kph), or twice as fast as Amtrak's fastest commuter train. In comparison, a Boeing-777 commercial airplane used for long-range flights can reach a top speed of about 562 mph (905 kph).

Germany and Japan both use maglev train technology.

The key difference between Japanese and German maglev trains is that the Japanese trains use super-cooled, superconducting electromagnets. This kind of electromagnet can conduct electricity even after the power supply has been shut off (which could work in South Africa with load shedding!). By chilling the coils at cool (aka frigid, but not the frigid you are thinking) temperatures, Japan's system saves energy. However, the Germany system uses to cool the coils can be expensive.

Another difference between the systems is that the Japanese trains levitate nearly 4 inches (10 cm) above the guide way. One potential drawback in the German system is that maglev trains must roll on rubber tires until they reach a lift-off speed of 100 kph. Japanese engineers say the wheels are an advantage if a power failure caused a shutdown of the system. Germany's Transrapid train is equipped with an emergency battery power supply.

Passengers with pacemakers would have to be shielded from the magnetic fields generated by the super-conducting electromagnets…would they even risk getting on board?

*Reference wikipedia