Japan’s magnetic levitation (Maglev) train from the JR Tokai rail company broke the world speed record for rail vehicles by travelling at 603 km/h (375 mph) for about 10 seconds during a test run on an experimental track in the Yamanashi prefecture, according to local media reports.
The test run was done with a seven-car LO series train. During the test run the train travelled at over 600 km per hour for about 10 seconds between the Fuefuki tunnel and Uenohara in Japan’s central prefecture.
This is the second time that it is breaking the world record which it broke for the first time last Thursday reaching 590 km per hour and ending 11 years and 4 months without a new high-speed record.
The Japanese company expects to have its high-speed trains in circulation starting in 2017. However it does not plan to operate at a speed above 500 km per hour.
JR Central Runway has been making attempts at the world record in order to collect data and improve operating techniques. After achieving this last world record, the company has put an end to its testing of high-speed performance.
The Maglev train is able to go that fast because of the application of a magnetic charge that makes it move about ten centimetres above a track without touching it. It is a technology that allows the train to move almost twice as fast as traditional high-speed technology. This technology works by using a vacuum tube to lessen the speed limitations caused by air resistance.