China's First Domestically-made Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) Train is Completed on August 14, 2001

China's first domestically-made magnetic levitation (maglev) train [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

China's first domestically-made magnetic levitation (maglev) train is completed on August 14, 2001

China's first domestically-made magnetic levitation train (maglev) rolled off the production line in Changchun, China's northeastern Jilin Province on August 14, 2001.

Jointly developed by Southwest Jiaotong University, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. and CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Co., Ltd., the maglev train was specially manufactured for the Qingchengshan maglev demonstration line in Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The train rides 8 to 10 millimeters above the rail and is driven by a linear motor.

Its operational speed is 60 kilometers per hour but it can travel as fast as 100 kilometers per hour.

As there is no mechanical friction between the rail and the train cars, the vehicle has advantages like stable operation, low noise and no pollution.

(Executive editor: Hao Wen)