Beijing’s First Maglev Train to Start Trial Operation

Beijing’s first medium-low speed maglev train is expected to start trial operation by the end of this year. Beijing Subway said it was preparing test runs.

The 10.2-km S1 line, also known as the first urban low and medium-speed maglev light rail, will connect the western suburban districts of Mentougou and Shijingshan, cutting travel time to merely 8 minutes, which will greatly ease traffic congestion on roads connecting the district and the city proper.

A total of 10 trains will be put into use in the first stage of operation. Trains will stop at seven of the eight stations in the initial period as the Pingguoyuan interchange station is still under renovation and is expected to start service in late 2019.

With a maximum speed of 80 km per hour, maximum designed train speed of 100 km per hour, the train is designed to carry a maximum 1,032 passengers at a time, the line is expected to transport 160,000 people every day.

Using magnetic levitation to move vehicles without touching the ground, a maglev line removes vibration and friction between train wheels and the rail track.

The track and electromagnet form a closed magnetic circuit with no magnetic field leaked to the outside.

Multiple tests have proved that the electromagnetic fields of the maglev line operation meet the ICNIRP guidelines for electromagnetic field exposure, a widely-accepted standard recommended by World Health Organization, according to the operator.

Maglev trains are safer and cheaper compared to current metro and light rail cars. Electromagnets and specially designed tracks prevent the trains from overturning or derailing. They can also operate in severe weather with much less noise and zero emissions.

What’s more is Shanghai has the world’s first commercial maglev system, running between the downtown business district and Pudong airport. The German-made maglev went into operation on Dec. 31, 2002. And now Beijing is catching up.