maglev

thumb|L0 Series train on the under-construction [[Chūō Shinkansen, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan]] thumbtime=22|thumb|right|A full trip on the Shanghai Transrapid maglev train thumb|right|Example of low-speed urban maglev system, Linimo Maglev (derived from magnetic levitation) is a system of rail transport whose rolling stock is levitated by electromagnets rather than rolled on wheels, eliminating rolling resistance.

AI overview

Maglev is a train system that uses electromagnets to lift and propel vehicles above the track instead of rolling on wheels, which reduces friction and allows for potentially faster travel. This technology matters because it could enable trains to operate at very high speeds with greater efficiency than traditional wheel-based rail systems.

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Image: Shanghai maglev train.jpg

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Commons category: Magnetic levitation trains
Commons gallery: Maglev

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~62 min read

Article

71 sections

Contents

History
Development
First maglev patent
New York, United States, 1912
New York, United States, 1968
Japan, 1969
Hamburg, Germany, 1979
Ramenskoye, Moscow, USSR, 1979
Birmingham, United Kingdom, 1984–1995
Emsland, Germany, 1984–2011
Vancouver, Canada, and Hamburg, Germany, 1986–1988
South Korea, 1993–2022, 2025–present
Germany/China, 2010–present
China, since 2000
Low-to-medium speed
High speed
Technology
Electromagnetic suspension (EMS)
Electrodynamic suspension (EDS)
Tracks
Evaluation
Propulsion
Stability
Guidance system
Proposed technology enhancements
Evacuated tubes
Rail-maglev hybrid <span class="anchor" id="Rail-maglev hybrid"></span>
Hybrid electromagnetic suspension
Energy use
High-speed maglev comparison with conventional high-speed trains
High-speed maglev comparison with aircraft
Economics
High-Speed systems
Low-Speed systems
Records
History of maglev speed records
Systems
Operational systems
High speed
Shanghai Maglev (2003)
Low speed
Linimo (Tobu Kyuryo Line, Japan) (2005)
Changsha Maglev (2016)
Beijing Line S1 (2017)
Fenghuang Maglev (2022)
Qingyuan Maglev (2025)
Maglevs under construction
Chūō Shinkansen (Japan)
Test tracks
AMT test track – Powder Springs, Georgia, USA
FTA's UMTD program, USA
San Diego, California USA
SCMaglev, Yamanashi Japan
Sengenthal, Germany and Chengdu, China
Southwest Jiaotong University, China
Jiading Campus of Tongji University, China
MagRail test track, Poland{{anchor|MagRail}}
Defunct systems
Daejeon Expo Maglev (2008)
Proposed maglev systems
China
Germany
The Moon
United Kingdom
United States
Incidents
See also
Notes
References
Further reading
External links

Compared to conventional railways, maglev trains have higher top speeds, superior acceleration and deceleration, lower maintenance costs, improved gradient handling, and lower noise. However, they are more expensive to build, cannot use existing infrastructure, and use more energy at high speeds.