Railway Technical Research Institute Above is an image of the guideway for the Yamanashi maglev test line in Japan. Below, is an illustration that shows how the guideway works. Once the train is levitated, power is supplied to the coils within the guideway walls to create a unique system of magnetic fields that pull and push the train along the guideway. The electric current supplied to the coils in the guideway walls are constantly alternating to change the polarity of the magnetized coils. This change in polarity causes the magnetic field in front of the train to pull the vehicle forward, while the magnetic field behind the train adds more forward thrust.
Maglev trains float on a cushion of air, eliminating friction.
Once manufacturers can prove that maglev trains can transport passengers safely at such high speeds, maglev trains could become an ideal alternative to airplanes. At 310 mph, you could travel from Paris to Rome in just over two hours. Inc. All rights reserved. Simply register for a free Postbox in the country where your merchant is located.