Railways may use magnetic tracks for high-speed trains

In its efforts to use the latest technology for running high-speed trains, the railways is exploring the use of magnetic tracks. An expression of interest has been invited for the same.

The maximum speed achieved through this technology is 500 km per hour.

“In this technology, the magnets on the track push and lift the carrier up in the air by one to six inches. This is called the Levitation technology. The magnetic field makes a cushion that functions as the carrier for the train,” said a senior official of the railways.

“The track magnets are controlled by a computer. This keeps shifting forward the magnetic force of the track magnets and the carrier is pulled forward,” the official said.

“One installation is in Shanghai and is being operated commercially,” the official added.

The most important part of this technology is the superconducting magnets, which consume very little power. Currently, superconductive magnets are maintained in very low temperatures.
However, research is on to make high-temperature superconductors.