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| Germany to build maglev railway | Germany to build maglev railway |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Germany has come up with the funds to launch its first magnetic levitation - or maglev - rail service. | Germany has come up with the funds to launch its first magnetic levitation - or maglev - rail service. |
| The state of Bavaria is to build the high-speed railway line from Munich city centre to its airport, making it Europe's first commercial track. | The state of Bavaria is to build the high-speed railway line from Munich city centre to its airport, making it Europe's first commercial track. |
| Maglev trains use electric-powered magnets that enable them to float above their tracks, allowing for much faster speeds than traditional rail services. | Maglev trains use electric-powered magnets that enable them to float above their tracks, allowing for much faster speeds than traditional rail services. |
| The 1.85bn-euro ($2.6bn; £1.3bn) project had faced financing problems. | The 1.85bn-euro ($2.6bn; £1.3bn) project had faced financing problems. |
| However, the Bavarian state government said it had signed an agreement with rail operator Deutsche Bahn and industrial consortium Transrapid that includes the developers of the train - Siemens and ThyssenKrupp. | However, the Bavarian state government said it had signed an agreement with rail operator Deutsche Bahn and industrial consortium Transrapid that includes the developers of the train - Siemens and ThyssenKrupp. |
| Technological symbol | Technological symbol |
| Shanghai's maglev train started commercial service in 2003 | |
| The only regular maglev service at present is in China, where the floating train whisks travellers between Shanghai's airport and the city's financial district. | The only regular maglev service at present is in China, where the floating train whisks travellers between Shanghai's airport and the city's financial district. |
| The maglev, which has a top speed of more than 500km/h (310mph), is regarded as a symbol of German technological prowess. | The maglev, which has a top speed of more than 500km/h (310mph), is regarded as a symbol of German technological prowess. |
| However, the maglev project suffered a set back in September 2006 when a train collided with a parked maintenance vehicle on a test run in northern Germany, killing 23 people. | However, the maglev project suffered a set back in September 2006 when a train collided with a parked maintenance vehicle on a test run in northern Germany, killing 23 people. |
| Japan has said it aims to launch its first maglev rail service by 2025. | Japan has said it aims to launch its first maglev rail service by 2025. |
| No date was given for the launch of the Munich service. | No date was given for the launch of the Munich service. |
| HOW MAGLEV TRAINS WORK Opposite poles on magnets keep train above trackTrain is propelled by electro-magnetic system in the sides of the "guideway" instead of onboard engineTop speed (with passengers) - 450km/h (280mph)Developed by Transrapid Int in GermanyOperating commercially in ShanghaiTest facility in Emsland, northern Germany, is longest of its kind at 31.5km (19.5 miles) Source: Transrapid International | HOW MAGLEV TRAINS WORK Opposite poles on magnets keep train above trackTrain is propelled by electro-magnetic system in the sides of the "guideway" instead of onboard engineTop speed (with passengers) - 450km/h (280mph)Developed by Transrapid Int in GermanyOperating commercially in ShanghaiTest facility in Emsland, northern Germany, is longest of its kind at 31.5km (19.5 miles) Source: Transrapid International |
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