Berlin wants to build an urban maglev
The operation of a magnetic levitation train is to be tested in Berlin. This has been agreed by the black-red coalition. The CDU parliamentary group leader expects costs of around 80 million euros.
A five to seven kilometer long test track for a magnetic levitation train is to be built in Berlin. This was announced by CDU parliamentary group leader Dirk Stettner. He did not name a possible route or an exact date for the start of construction. According to Stettner, a maglev train is comparatively cheap to build and can be realized much faster than a subway line, for example. The train would be operated autonomously, i.e. without a driver, and would be able to transport both passengers and goods.
The CDU parliamentary group leader estimates the costs for this at around 80 million euros. However, these costs are not included in the draft double budget for the next two years - the line is to be financed via the so-called special climate fund.
The Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB) welcomed the plans. VBB boss Bonde said on rbb24 Inforadio that the city needs innovative projects. In addition, such a train would complement the other light rail systems. It would be quiet, cheaper, conceivable as an elevated and underground train and could be self-powered by solar energy.
However, the idea of a magnetic levitation train in Berlin is not new. The first attempt was made between 1984 and 1991, when the so-called M-Bahn ran on a test route between Gleisdreieck in Kreuzberg and Kemperplatz in Tiergarten under the direction of Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG). However, the trial was discontinued after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the facilities were dismantled to make room for the expansion of the subway line 2.
From the mid-1990s, there were plans for the first Transrapid line in Germany. It was to connect the cities of Berlin and Hamburg in less than an hour's travel time. However, the project was shelved in 2000 [...]. Before that, however, there had already been protests and petitions against the project in Berlin.
There had already been an M-Bahn (magnetic train) in Berlin from 1984, initially in test operation and for a short time also in regular operation, but this was ended after reunification in 1991.
The Berlin CDU recently made a new attempt to put the idea back on the agenda. In June 2020, CDU state leader and current governing mayor Kai Wegner presented the proposal to build a maglev train to connect BER airport, for example, or to open up new residential areas. It was part of a transport concept that the CDU had adopted in anticipation of the 2021 election campaign.
Translated from tagesschau.de, https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/berlin ... n-100.html Accesssed 2023-11-20
[DE] Berlin wants to build an urban maglev
[DE] Berlin wants to build an urban maglev
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Re: [DE] Berlin: the magnetic levitation train in Spandau is ‘wonderful’
Kai Wegner thinks the magnetic levitation train in Spandau is ‘wonderful’
Source: https://taketonews.com/kai-wegner-think ... wonderful/ Accessed December 4, 2023BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Berlin’s governing mayor Kai Wegner sees magnetic levitation trains as an option for better connections to the outskirts of the city. “The construction of a magnetic levitation train is an issue for the outskirts,” said the CDU politician to the “Berliner Zeitung” on Saturday.
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A working group set up by the Senate is currently discussing whether, how and where magnetic levitation trains could be built in Berlin. Wegner had already promoted the option in 2020. Now he said: “We also have to think about other forms of mobility in Berlin. There are several companies in Germany that offer this technology and are already selling magnetic levitation trains to China, for example.” They are quiet and climate-friendly and can be built faster than subways.
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[DE] Berlin is eyeing a maglev revival
Berlin is eyeing a maglev revival
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Photo: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-Bahn#/m ... Bahn_1.jpg
The M-Bahn, or Magnetbahn, was an experimental elevated Maglev train line in Berlin, Germany, which operated from 1984 and offered passenger service from 1989 to 1991. The 1.6 km (1 mi) line had three stations, two of which were newly built. Designed to address a gap in the West Berlin public transport system caused by the Berlin Wall, it was initially seen as a future transit solution. However, it became obsolete after the reunification of Berlin and was shut down for the reconstruction of the U2 subway line. The M-Bahn was the second public Maglev line, following the Birmingham Maglev and before the Shanghai Maglev. Its construction and operation were managed by Magnetbahn GmbH.
Source: https://www.railtech.com/innovation/202 ... ng-s-bahn/ Accessed 2025-08-25Berlin’s Transport Senator Ute Bonde wants to revive magnetic levitation trains with a new link between the ICC and BER Airport. But as Berlin’s S-Bahn faces funding cuts, staff shortages, and repeated breakdowns, the question emerges: should the city really be entertaining futuristic maglev tech before fixing its everyday rail system?
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- 2025-08-25_berlin
Photo: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-Bahn#/m ... Bahn_1.jpg
The M-Bahn, or Magnetbahn, was an experimental elevated Maglev train line in Berlin, Germany, which operated from 1984 and offered passenger service from 1989 to 1991. The 1.6 km (1 mi) line had three stations, two of which were newly built. Designed to address a gap in the West Berlin public transport system caused by the Berlin Wall, it was initially seen as a future transit solution. However, it became obsolete after the reunification of Berlin and was shut down for the reconstruction of the U2 subway line. The M-Bahn was the second public Maglev line, following the Birmingham Maglev and before the Shanghai Maglev. Its construction and operation were managed by Magnetbahn GmbH.
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Re: [DE] Berlin wants to build an urban maglev
I may be wrong but it seems that Germany wants to improve on the proven Japanese SC maglev in China.
The German EMS airport line in China has been slowed to 300 km/h due to subsidence with only 1 cm clearance even with twice the foundations and now the are looking at an improved EDS line.
Australia wants to kick the can down the road instead of using 60 Chinese TBM to connect Melbourne to Brisbane via Albury, Canberra, Sydney, Newcastle, Coffs harbour with hardstands near the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane airports that allow the SC maglev trains to steer anywhere to enable container handlers to transfer the containers to electric trucks.
This will earn $1.400,000,000 p/a replacing 700,000 drivers p/a and killing planes and trucks on this route with the daytime fare below planes on stage one Sydney to Melbourne.
I know China and Japan do not like each other but IF we can all work together then it will reduce prices in big countries.
The German EMS airport line in China has been slowed to 300 km/h due to subsidence with only 1 cm clearance even with twice the foundations and now the are looking at an improved EDS line.
Australia wants to kick the can down the road instead of using 60 Chinese TBM to connect Melbourne to Brisbane via Albury, Canberra, Sydney, Newcastle, Coffs harbour with hardstands near the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane airports that allow the SC maglev trains to steer anywhere to enable container handlers to transfer the containers to electric trucks.
This will earn $1.400,000,000 p/a replacing 700,000 drivers p/a and killing planes and trucks on this route with the daytime fare below planes on stage one Sydney to Melbourne.
I know China and Japan do not like each other but IF we can all work together then it will reduce prices in big countries.