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Money Problems May Derail First U.S. MagLev Train

Posted by timothy on from the you're-saying-flying-cars-are-impractical dept.

PSaltyDS writes "The Virginian Pilot is reporting on the trials and tribulations of what was supposed to be the first MagLev train in regular use in the U.S. The MagLev Project was to cover a portion of the Old Dominion University campus, and start service in 2002, but after $14 million spent, it has yet to carry a single passenger. In the article, several engineering types seem to say the same thing, something like 'A great idea that is just too hard to do without an unlimited budget.' Is a maglev train an impractical fantasy like the personal flying car?"

2 of 409 comments (clear)

  1. China proves that with German technology... by McSnarf · · Score: 0, Redundant
    building a working train is a piece of cake...

  2. Maglev not needed. by mark_space2001 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    You don't need maglev to go fast. The chunnel train connecting London to Paris already has a peak speed of 186 miles per hour. There's no good reason that this same "bullet train" technology can't be used elsewhere. I'd love to see a fast train connecting all airports in the Bay Area to all the airports in LA. Then include Sacramento and Tahoe and Las Vegas. Then start north to Seattle and east to Pheonix. 186 mph is almost as fast as an airplane (250 mph, IIRC) and if boarding times are faster, you could easily save time with the train.