Free Republic

Cutting-Edge Maglev Rail Line Boosts Pride in Shanghai, but Ridership Lags SHANGHAI -- Smoothly, quietly, but relentlessly, the sleek new train picked up speed. Reaching 100 mph, it seemed similar to the fast trains of Europe and Japan. But by 200 mph, Shanghai's passing suburbs started to blur in the window. And at 287 mph, the top speed, passengers could clearly feel that their ride to the airport had become a streak into railroad history. "It's great," said Andrew Suan, 35, an investment adviser on his way to catch a flight for Hong Kong. "It's better than Disneyland." Shanghai's new...