Tokyo: LO Maglev (magnetic levitation) is a Japanese product. Japan was the first country to introduce Maglev trains. They built and used one to transport spectators at speeds up to 130mph to and fro venues at the 1964 Olympics held in that country.Since that time, virtually all other technically advanced countries have built so-called bullet trains and have put them into service.Maglev trains use magnetic levitation to propel vehicles with magnets rather than with wheels, axles and bearings. The lift and push are provided to the train by the repulsive and attractive forces of magnetism used by this system.Lo Maglev runs at a speed of 311 miles-per-hour. Its speed was tested for the first time in the month of September this year.It is on course for commercial deployment by 2027. As per reports it took six years to get to the point where it could run a full test.In its first test the train ran along its custom-built 2.6 mile track in just nine minutes, hitting 311 mph at its peak.The title of worlds fastest is currently held by China's Shanghai Maglev train—it's capable of running at speeds of up to 268mph, though it generally operates at closer to 150mph due to track length restrictions. Now LO will beat this Singhai's product.LO was tested on the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line recently.People who had the honor to ride on this high-tech LO told that they did not feel any turbulence or heard any noise while the train was moving at the great speeds. But the observers outside the train stated that they felt a shock wave and a massive gust of wind as the train sped past them.
Updated on: November 15, 2013 6:35 IST
