The train is powered by high temperature superconductivity making it appear as if the train is swimming along magnetic tracks.
Professor He Chuan (Vice Chancellor of Southwestern Jiaotong University, which worked on the prototype) told reporters that the train could be “operational” within 3-10 years.
“Sichuan has rich rare earth resources, which is very beneficial for building permanent magnetic paths, thus promoting the faster development of experiments,” he added.
Possible interior design for the new Maglev train.
Liu Kun / Xinhua / Ciba USA
China is home to the world’s largest high-speed rail network, which spans over 37,000 km, and the fastest commercially-operated train – Shanghai maglev.
The country’s first Maglev high-speed train, started operating in 2003. The train runs at a top speed of 431 kilometers per hour, and connects Shanghai Pudong Airport with Longyang Road in the eastern side of Shanghai.
China has been keen to make more infrastructure improvements before the 2022 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Beijing.
At this time last year, China unveiled a 174-kilometer high-speed railway linking Beijing with the host city of the 2022 Winter Olympics Zhangjiakou, reducing the travel time between the two from three hours to 47 minutes.
CNN’s Shanshan Wang contributed to this report.
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