[UK] China’s 373 mph Maglev Could Outdate HS2 Before Launch

[Miss Maglev]

China’s 373 mph Maglev Could Outdate HS2 Before Launch

China is accelerating plans for a 600 km/h (373 mph) magnetic levitation (maglev) train that could eclipse Britain’s HS2 before its debut. State-owned CRRC recently showcased a prototype in Beijing, signaling confidence in this technology, which eliminates wheel friction by levitating millimeters above the track. The result: ultra-high speeds, minimal maintenance, zero emissions, and quieter travel.

Currently, only a handful of maglev lines exist, mostly for airports, but China aims for the first long-range services within five years, rivaling Japan’s superconducting maglev project. Such speeds could slash Beijing–Shanghai travel to 2.5 hours and London–Birmingham to under 25 minutes—making HS2’s 225 mph look outdated.

Prof. Johannes Kluehspies, president of the International Maglev Board, is blunt:
“Maglev is the future. If China or Japan succeed—which I believe they will—it means the end of high-speed rail worldwide.”
He adds that elevated maglev lines, needing fewer tunnels and embankments, could cost less than HS2 despite high upfront investment.

The technology’s roots trace back to Britain, which launched the world’s first maglev in 1984. Plans for a national network, UK Ultraspeed, collapsed after safety concerns and soaring cost estimates, while Germany’s Transrapid shut down in 2010. China adopted and advanced the concept, sparking claims it absorbed German expertise.

Japan’s system, which once hit 375 mph, faces delays from environmental opposition, while China debates which maglev design to pursue—electromagnetic or superconducting. Kluehspies insists the outcome is clear:
“The model doesn’t matter. Maglev is superior—and it will win. The sooner it comes, the better for future generations.”

Info by The Telegraph - Christopher Jasper: https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/china-c ... 13972.html Accessed 2025-07-19

[Parrahub1]

With only 1 cm clearance it will fail over time like the airport maglev.

Unless they do it like the Japanese SC maglev, which I think they are trying to do, it may be easier to just buy the proven technology off them.

Also the NIMBY guy has gone and it is full steam ahead for the tunnel.

[Parrahub1]

This is interesting it looks like they are going to copy Japans 600 km/h EDS maglev at 41 seconds.

https://youtu.be/bbqMxakJABw

[Parrahub1]

The mini although radical had many problems which later similar cars avoided and I think the German/Chinese want to build their own SC maglev avoiding the problems the Japanese have such as using last century NATM horseshoe-shaped tunnels by using TBM with single guideways connecting big cities like Australia, America and China so they can get rid of trucks and planes on major routes.