Imagine traveling from New York to Los Angeles in less than an hour or from London to Paris in 15 minutes.
It seems impossible, right? Well, not for China's largest missile manufacturer, which claims to have created the fastest train ever.
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) is developing a hyperloop train that can reach incredibly high speeds in a vacuum.
The idea is to take a confined tube large enough to fit a train and suck in all the air so there is no air resistance to slow it down.
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How do hyperloop trains work?
Hyperloop trains are based on the concept of a Vactrain, a train that travels within a vacuum tube and uses magnetic levitation to float above the tracks to reduce friction. Hyperloop trains are essentially vaccines on steroids. It uses superconducting magnets to create a powerful magnetic field that propels the train forward. It also uses linear motors to accelerate and decelerate the train, and compressors to suck any remaining air out of the tubes.
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The result is a train that can travel at hypersonic speeds with minimal energy consumption and environmental impact. Hyperloop trains could revolutionize the transportation industry by transporting passengers and cargo across continents in minutes.
Development of Chinese hyperloop trains
So far, CASIC China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation has built a 1.24-mile test line in Datong, Shaanxi Province, where trains have achieved a record speed of 387 mph. CASIC said it was satisfied with the testing and verified the interaction between the test tube, vehicle and track. But it's definitely not over.
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Phase 2 of the project will extend the track by 37 miles to achieve a target speed of 621 mph. If all goes well, the train's forward-thinking ambition is to reach 1,243 mph. After that, it may make sense to connect Datong and Beijing. That's a 215-mile, more than four-hour drive that can be shortened to less than 30 minutes by hyperloop train.
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What are the challenges and risks of hyperloop trains?
Hyperloop trains sound like a great way to travel very quickly, but there are some financial and safety issues to consider. First of all, the cost of building a hyperloop train is not cheap. The cost of constructing vacuum tubes, magnetic levitation systems, linear motors, and compressors is estimated at billions of dollars. Maintenance and operating costs are also likely to be high because the system requires constant monitoring and testing.
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Second, hyperloop trains are absolutely not safe. There are many potential hazards and failures that can put passengers and the system at risk. For example, a power outage, water leak, fire, terrorist attack, or human error can cause a fatal accident. The high speed and acceleration of trains may cause discomfort or health problems to passengers, including motion sickness, nausea, and ear pain.
Third, there are many legal and regulatory barriers that could impede the development and deployment of hyperloop trains. For example, land acquisition, environmental impacts, safety standards, liability issues, and public opinion can pose significant challenges to hyperloop train projects.
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The race is on to see who can make hyperloop trains a reality.
Despite the challenges and risks, hyperloop trains are not just a dream. CASIC isn't the only player in the Hyperloop train game. Several other companies and organizations are also developing their own versions of hyperloop trains. The race is on to see who can make hyperloop trains a reality.
But it's worth noting that Hyperloop One, a company that once promised high-speed intercity transportation using specially designed pods, recently shut down without carrying a single passenger. Based on Elon Musk's idea, the startup has burned through more than $450 million without even getting close to becoming a commercial project. These setbacks highlight the enormous challenges facing hyperloop projects, despite significant support and ambitious goals.
Nonetheless, CASIC aims to complete Phase 2 testing by 2025 and achieve its final goal of 1,243 mph by 2030. If successful, CASIC could make history by creating the fastest train ever. But will it really be the best train? That hasn't been revealed yet. Hyperloop trains can deliver unprecedented speed and efficiency, but they can also be expensive and risky.
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Kurt’s Key Takeaways
Hyperloop trains are a revolutionary idea that could change the way people travel and connect with each other in China and other parts of the world. This can deliver unprecedented speed, efficiency and convenience for both passengers and cargo. More importantly, China's enormous population (growing to more than 1.412 billion) makes it one of the only countries in the world where this enormously expensive public transportation system is nearly financially feasible.
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