Japan’s maglev train clocks new world speed record
As the 600km/h mark is passed, Tokyo looks to sell technology overseas
Japan's state-of-the-art maglev train clocked up a new world speed record yesterday in a test run near Mount Fuji, smashing through the 600km/h mark, as Tokyo races to sell the technology to customers abroad.
The seven-car maglev train - short for "magnetic levitation" - hit a top speed of 603km/h, and managed nearly 11 seconds at over 600km/h, operator Central Japan Railway said.
The new record came a week after the company recorded a top speed of 590km/h, breaking its own 2003 581km/h record.
The maglev hovers 10cm above the tracks and is propelled by electrically-charged magnets. About 200 train fans gathered to yesterday's record-setting run, with the crowd cheering as the train broke through 600km/h.
"It gave me chills. I really want to ride on the train," an elderly woman told broadcaster NHK as the carriage rocketed past.
"It's like I witnessed a new page in history."
A reporter who previously rode on the super-speed train said the experience was like taking off in a plane, with the feeling of g-force gathering as the speedometer is pushed higher and higher.