Japan is continuing to lead the way in high-speed rail travel with a ‘levitating’ train capable of speeds up to 311 miles per hour (that’s equivalent to 500 kilometres per hour). Tests have been underway in the Yamanashi prefectureon the nation’s new generation L0Series trains which, instead of having conventional wheels, use the latest magnetic levitation technology known as maglev.
The new train will be capable of carrying up to 1,000 passengers across 16 carriages. It will first of all link central Tokyo with Nagoya – a trip of 179 miles – and cut the journey time by more than half, from 1.5 hours to just 40 minutes.But don’t hold your breath… commercial service of these trains is not expected until 2027. The line is to be extended by Osaka in 2045 before eventually being rolled out nationwide.
