Maglevs in Britain?

[joshd]

I was watching a programme on Discovery a few nights ago. It was on the Maglev system in Germany, where it is manufactured. For those of you that do not know what a MAGLEV is it stands for magnetic levitation and it is basically when the train glides over the track powered by a liner motor. They can reach 100s/kmhr and have a huge torque. So then question is, do you think Britain will see any Maglevs?

I for one am weary as I don't think that people would be willing to pay the huge cost of tickets due to the astronomical amount of money required to lay track, get new engines etc.

You can watch a YouTube.com video of a Maglev: here.

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Please post your thoughts on this

[John]

Britain's already had a maglev .

We had the first one in commercial service running between Birmingham International train station and the airport terminals.


Also, Germany only manufactures one type of maglev (branded Transrapid). The Japanese are currently building a more extensive (longer) test track and have been testing the system since the 70s.



If we get superconductors that are relatively cheap to produce and work at atmospheric temperatures, then you will see huge adoption of maglev. Until then, it will be more to show off.

[joshd]

I did here about the one at the airport, but I don't think it's still in working order

Yeah, maybe if they could be done cheaply enough..

[PikkaBird]

A linear motor with huge torque, eh?

[joshd]

*Linear force

[John]

I did here about the one at the airport, but I don't think it's still in working order

Yeah - it was shut in 1995 and replaced with a cable hauled operation.

[romazoon]

never heard of the birmingham one before today...

found a video !! Well i actually never thought a maglev could be slow!! so maybe that s something to include to some train set ? something with some highcapacity per wagon and high loading speed... it could be neat like a railbus, but for maglev !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asVQzbOftqE

[Geo Ghost]

We did have a type of Maglev back in the 1960s-70s called RTV31 (Tracked Hovercraft).
Though it was only experimental, we did have one a long time ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAC-2qUFois


We would never see any maglev systems in this country. Except from small ones like at Birmingham international to transport short distance passengers.
Although cost is one thing, can you imagine peoples reactions? It's bad enough getting the High Speed 2 route sorted let alone anything bigger.

Why aren't people proud of our railways anymore

[Emperor Jake]

We did have a Maglev back in the 1970s - RTV31.
Though it was only experimental, we did have one a long time ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAC-2qUFois

That's not a maglev, that 's basically a hovercraft on tracks It is very similar to the French Aérotrain project. (which might just be a good idea for OpenTTD...)

[Geo Ghost]

Yeah just modified my post after finding the actual name
I know it used Linear Induction Motors though which is kind of along those lines I suppose (no pun intended).

[joshd]

Why aren't people proud of our railways anymore

Because they are a rip off, ran for pure profit, have no up-to-date trains, are always late, employ arrogant people, operate weird timetables, if any, and shut when there is 1/2 cm of snow.

[Geo Ghost]

I think pretty much all things are run for profit

Not sure about arrogant people, timetables, up to date trains etc though. A couple of companies maybe but many that I travel with are pretty darn good.
Generally though it seems so many are anti-rail building and such. It's just a 'mode of transport' and that is it. Quite a shame really since a number have no respect for it either now. Trespassers, vandals etc.
Maybe we should make the Midland Mainline steam only. Bring back the mystical feel of steam on railways

I've gone off topic again haven't I...

[joshd]

No, it's an important point. Until the companies wake up and start to build and improve again, we can't be proud. Not with countries like Japan rocketing ahead in front of us, and then again there is the ageing London Tube System.

Why is everything in this country so rubbish, even though we pay tax on everything...

[Badger]

Why is everything in this country so rubbish, even though we pay tax on everything...

Except you don't yet.

[joshd]

I clearly do. I want to buy a new PC for £1000 I have to fork over £200 to the government.

[lawton27]

So New PC = everything?

[joshd]

No. Car, chair, keyboard, fags, booze, petrol. = TAX! Everything in this god awful country is TAXED!

[Badger]

I clearly do. I want to buy a new PC for £1000 I have to fork over £200 to the government.

Buy a cheaper one then.

No. Car, chair, keyboard, fags, booze, petrol. = TAX! Everything in this god awful country is TAXED!

Too young for a car, fags and booze and petrol. If you don't like taxes your going to hate seeing how much gets taken from your payslip...

[joshd]

I clearly do. I want to buy a new PC for £1000 I have to fork over £200 to the government.

Buy a cheaper one then.

Why should I buy a cheaper one just to avoid taxes? I have saved my money over many years for a new PC just to find out 1/5 of the cost is going on TAXES.

[Badger]

It's just something you'll have to accept.