China’s T-Flight hyperloop train obliterates 387mph in first tests

Back in 2017 I talked about a special Chinese project that was aiming to create a hyperloop-like train that could travel at Mach 3 to 4, or about 2,500 mph, called the T-Flight and now, years later, it seems progress is being made and that China could soon have a train that is faster than a plane.

The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, or CASIC for short, just announced its new magnetically levitated (maglev) train soared to over 387 miles (623 km/h) during testing. It is the fastest speed ever achieved by a superconducting maglev vehicle, according to the state-owned outfit.

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CASIC designs, develops, and manufactures everything from spacecraft to missiles, but it’s currently working on a hyperloop. The company has built a section of low-vacuum tube that is roughly 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) in a facility in the Shanxi province of China, according to New Atlas. It has conducted numerous tests over the past several months, but this is the first time its T-Flight train has broken a record. The “high-speed flier” reportedly eclipsed the highest-recorded maglev speed of 375 mph (603 km/h) set by the Japanese L0 Series train, though CASIC did not disclose the exact top speed.

So, how does the train work? As its moniker implies, the magnetic-levitation system uses magnets to push the train up off the track and propel it forward. This means the train floats off the rails and rides along a cushion of air. As such, maglevs are both quicker and quieter than conventional trains. Since they don’t create direct emissions, they’re better for the environment, too. Maglev trains are already used in China, South Korea, and Japan, but they operate at slower speeds.

CASIC says it is happy with the T-Flight’s most recent test, adding that it validated the interaction between the test tube, the vehicle, and the track. Phase two of testing will see the track extended 37 miles (60 kilometers) so that the T-Flight can hit even higher speeds. The train is eventually expected to reach 621 mph (1,000 km/h), meaning you could get from Shenzhen to Shanghai in just over an hour. For comparison’s sake, the fastest airliner currently in the skies, until Booms supersonic airliners come into service circa 2028, is the Boeing 747, has a top speed of 652 mph. And then they want to get even faster from there …

As you might imagine, maglev trains and their tubes are extremely expensive to build and progress can be slowed down by bureaucracy. Hyperloop One, formerly Virgin Hyperloop, shut down last year as it was strapped for cash, as reported by Bloomberg. Fortunately, CASIC seems to have relatively deep pockets. The company made a cool $37 billion last year, according to Forbes.