Shanghai maglev train facts for kids

The Shanghai maglev train (SMT) or Shanghai Transrapid (Chinese: 上海磁浮示范运营线; pinyin: Shànghǎi Cífú Shìfàn Yùnyíng Xiàn; lit. Shanghai Maglev Demonstration Operation Line) is a magnetic levitation train (maglev) line that operates in Shanghai, China. The line uses the German Transrapid technology. The Shanghai maglev is the world's first commercial high-speed maglev and has a maximum cruising speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). Prior to May 2021 the cruising speed was 431 km/h (268 mph), at the time this made it the fastest train service in commercial operation.

The train line connects Shanghai Pudong International Airport (also on Shanghai Metro's Line 2) and Longyang Road station (in the outskirts of central Pudong, with transfers to lines 2, 7, 16, and 18), where passengers can interchange to the Shanghai Metro to continue their trip to the city center. The line is not part of the Shanghai Metro network, which operates on its own right-of-way to Pudong Airport.

The journey takes 8 minutes and 10 seconds to complete the distance of 30 km (18.6 mi). A train can reach 300 km/h (186 mph) in 2 minutes and 15 seconds, while the historical maximum operational speed of 431 km/h (268 mph) could be reached after 4 minutes.

History

Construction

Construction of the line began on March 1, 2001, and public commercial service commenced on 1 January 2004. The Shanghai Transrapid project took ¥10 billion (US$1.33bn) and two and a half years to complete. The line is 30.5 km (18.95 mi) track and has a further separate track leading to a maintenance facility.

The top operational commercial speed of the Shanghai maglev was 431 km/h (268 mph), making it the world's fastest train in regular commercial service from its opening in April 2004 until its speed reduction in May 2021. During a non-commercial test run on 12 November 2003 a maglev train achieved a Chinese record speed of 501 km/h (311 mph). The Shanghai Maglev has a length of 153 metres (502 ft 0 in), a width of 3.7 metres (12 ft 2 in), a height of 4.2 metres (13 ft 9 in) and a three-class, 574-passenger configuration (End section (ES) 1st class: 56; Middle section (MS) 2nd class: 110; End section (ES) 2nd class: 78).

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  A Shanghai Maglev at Longyang Road station

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  Speed indicator shown in each car

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  Shanghai Maglev speed

The train set model (Transrapid SMT) was built by a joint venture of Siemens and ThyssenKrupp from Kassel, Germany in 3 pieces (originally 4 pieces consisting of 6 wagons each were planned) and based on years of tests and improvements of their Transrapid maglev system, especially the Transrapid 08. The Shanghai Maglev track (guideway) was built by local Chinese companies who, as a result of the alluvial soil conditions of the Pudong area, had to deviate from the original track design of one supporting column every 50 meters (160 ft) to one column every 25 meters (82 ft), to ensure that the guideway meets the stability and precision criteria. Several thousand concrete piles were driven to depths up to 70 meters (230 ft) to attain stability for the support column foundations. A mile-long, climate-controlled facility was built alongside the line's right of way to manufacture the guideways. The train was manufactured in Germany by Siemens-Thyssenkrupp JV (Joint venture).

The electrification of the train was developed by Vahle, Inc. Two commercial maglev systems predated the Shanghai system: the Birmingham Maglev in the United Kingdom and the Berlin M-Bahn. Both were low-speed operations and closed before the opening of the Shanghai maglev train.

The train was inaugurated in December 2002 by the German chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, and the Chinese premier, Zhu Rongji. Initial opening was for tour only, providing a round trip. The train starts from Longyang Rd. Station, speed up to 431 km/h (268 mph) and arrives at Pudong Airport. After very short break, the train returns without opening the door. The price was 150 RMB for normal seats and 300 RMB for VIP seat. The normal operation started on 10 October 2003.

Since 2010, a fourth train of Chinese production (made by Chengdou Aircraft Industries) has been added to the rolling stock. Its design slightly differs from the original Transrapid-trains: separated front lights below the shortened front-windows (instead of being placed behind the windows) and interior design.

Ridership

Following the opening, overall maglev train ridership levels were at 20% of capacity. The levels were attributed to limited operating hours, the short length of the line, high ticket prices and that it terminates at Longyang Road in Pudong – another 20 min by subway from the city centre.

• In February 2003, the Shanghai Maglev train transported 18,000 guests during the first nine days of the Lunar New Year;
• As of August 31, 2004, the total passenger capacity of Shanghai Maglev trains reached 1.45 million, and the total safe operation mileage reached 1.02 million kilometers;
• As of the end of March 2006, the cumulative safe operating mileage of Shanghai Maglev trains exceeded 2.4 million kilometers, carrying 6.23 million passengers;
• On October 1, 2007, the single-day passenger flow of Shanghai Maglev Train exceeded 20,000 for the first time; Anecdotal evidence says that the morning trains are 60-70% full each time they run;
• In 2010, due to increased tourists from World Expo 2010, the maglev had their largest passenger traffic;
• Traffic decreased significantly due to the opening of Shanghai metro line 2 east extension rail linking to Pudong Airport. Since then, annual traffic has stabilized to around 3 million in between 2011 and 2014;
• In 2014 the maglev had 6.6% sharing ratio of landside transport in Pudong International Airport, a decrease from 11.3% in 2005 (metro had a share of 33% in 2014);
• As of September 5, 2017, Shanghai Maglev trains have transported a total of 50 million passengers and safely operated 16.88 million kilometers.

Operation

The line is operated by Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd and runs from 06:45 to 21:42, with services every 20 minutes. Operation hours:

• Until 2005, the train ran 8:30-15:30. These hours failed to serve a high number of flights from the Pudong airport that leave and arrive early in the morning or late at night;
• Between 2005 and 2007, the operation hours were extended to 7:00-21:00;
• From October 2007, operation hours were extended to coincide with the operating hours of the Metro Line 2, 6:45-21:30. Current (2022) operating hours of line 2 are 6.30-23.00; operating hours of the maglev have not been extended.

In addition to the 57 daily two-way services, since October 2016 two additional one-way trains have been added. These depart at 10:15 pm and 10:40 pm from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road.

• Interiors of a train
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  Shanghai Maglev operator in the train cabin

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  Shanghai Maglev VIP passenger interior

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  Shanghai Maglev standard passenger interior

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  Entrance

See also