Floating by at 311mph: Japanese 'Maglev' bullet train undergoes its first successful test run

The Daily Mail ^ | June 4, 2013 | Nicola Rowe

[EveningStar]

The trains use magnetic levitation technology instead of wheels ...

Japan's floating bullet trains - which will travel at up speeds of up to 311mph - have undergone their first test runs.

The magnetic levitation, or 'maglev' trains, use state-of-the-art technology to reach mind-blowing speeds ...

[EveningStar]

More pictures and video at link.

[Resolute Conservative]

How do they prevent rapid deceleration injuries? Are you strapped in a 5 point harness the whole ride?

How the they prevent rapid deceleration period?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Can you imagine the devastation that will occur when the first one of these runs off the rails at speed?

It will be far worse than any plane crash.

[EveningStar]

They have years of testing ahead of them. The first commercial use is projected for 2027.

[agere_contra]

“Please do not worry”.

[spokeshave]

What happens if someone drops a cast iron bath across the rails....will it also be magnetically accelerated....or perhaps a a big magnet.

[lewislynn]

Paging Williegreen

[Gay State Conservative]

One thing I noticed about both Tokyo *and* Frankfurt is...and I know that it sounds clichéd...that you *can* set your watch by the train schedules.Time and again I saw it.Simply amazing!

[DannyTN]

[spokeshave]

...so what happens if it hits a Moose....?

[Hoodat]

Oh no, there goes Tokyo . . .

[Hoodat]

...so what happens if it hits a Moose....?

You end up with a very dead moose.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Sounds like something from the new Total Recall.

[Resolute Conservative]

I am sure they can come up with a method to prevent ballistic injury, but I am curious on how they would prevent internal organ damage from deceleration/compression? That would have application to space flight as well. I don’t think NASA had much need for that as the only rapid stop in space was if you hit a body of great mass in which case you were screwed anyway.

[Clock King]

Deceleration and acceleration are never done rapidly. They do it over a period of minutes (like 10 or more). At least that is what I noticed when I rode the Bullet Train in Japan. We didn’t crank up to 100+ mph immediately. It took while and you don’t feel a thing. Same thing when slowing down. Also remember these trains run on completely separate elevated rails, so there is no traffic, no crossings, not “small” stops, etc. They are designed for long distance, not local hops.

[formosa]

I’d like to ride that thing (once it is out of testing)!

[Resolute Conservative]

Yes I get that, I am talking about unplanned events, power failure, track obstacles etc...

[fieldmarshaldj]

Photo of bullet train riders.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Probably like this, only worse;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschede_train_disaster

[Paladin2]

Where’s Willie Green?