The keys to her Ferrari

[peteryoung]

 
Have just done the impressively fast Shanghai Maglev: we did 431km/h (268mph) for about 90 seconds of a 7 minute 20 second journey covering 30km. Another point of excellence: the drivers were two very smart Chinese women in their twenties who looked far too glamourous to be driving one of the fastest trains in the world. As someone married to an aircraft engineer – another traditionally male job – I can only approve wholeheartedly.

Comments

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

Congratulations, and I'd ride it myself given a chance, but it does seem like a waste of resources for the application. As you noted, it's only at top speed for a few seconds. The run is too short. Conventional express rail is a better application for this installation. Was the ride bumpy? I saw a video taken on board one of those trips that suggested that the ride was nowhere as smooth as suggested by the publicity.

One of the few places in the world where I think a maglev might be the right technology would be the expansion of the existing test track to a full-blown Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka like that would serve as a supplement (not a replacement) for the conventional and shinkansen lines between those cities. There's about the right density and distance, and the demand for travel is huge.

Me, I hope the UK actually manages to build HS2, and that I'll be able to ride California's High Speed Rail before I die. I'm not that hopeful when I listen to the NIBMYs screaming about rail being done "right," by which they mean "No construction disruption, no noise at all, nothing troubles me, and it shouldn't cost anything to build, either."

[feorag.livejournal.com]

I believe the plans to extend the line are back on track, so to speak.

[peteyoung.livejournal.com]

The ride was actually very smooth, with only about 10 passengers. Cost about $8.

[dfordoom.livejournal.com]

It's a pretty awesome train. One thing is certain - we'll never see anything like that in Australia. Our railway technology is around half a century behind. We have at least left the steam era, so that's something.

[feorag.livejournal.com]

One of the nicest trains I've been on was in Australia - it was the sleeper between Sydney and Melbourne. The train was a British design from the 1970s, but the track was well-maintained and I got a decent night's sleep, which is impossible on a British sleeper.

For technology like maglev, Australia has a couple of advantages that make it a good idea - a long, long way between major cities, and a lot of empty space between them.

[dfordoom.livejournal.com]

For technology like maglev, Australia has a couple of advantages that make it a good idea - a long, long way between major cities, and a lot of empty space between them.

It would be a brilliant technology for Australia. But it would require vision and imagination and an ability to plan for the long-term. They're things we're definitely not likely to see here!

[feorag.livejournal.com]

Is jealous.

[jamesb.livejournal.com]

Looks excellent and that's an impressive speed.
Nothing like a lady train driver. We have loads.

Do they actually drive? Or is it an automatic system.

J

[peteyoung.livejournal.com]

I think it's completely automated. The max speed is always 431km/h and the journey time is always 7m20s.

[jamesb.livejournal.com]

Sounds likely. Cross Rail will be ATC as well, in the busiest bit.