China has a prototype 500km per hour high-speed train | China Daily

[Martian2]

Speed the selling point for trainmakers - Chinadaily.com.cn

"CSR Corp Chairman Zheng Changhong said that his company has designed a prototype high-speed train that runs at a test speed of up to 500 km per hour."

[Note: Thank you to Chungyn for the newslink.]

 

[DoTell]

500 km/h? I'm curious what technology they are using and at what cost. At this speed the wheels and the rails may get overheated, especially in break situations. So my guess is some kind of levitation has to be used. But our current Shanghai Maglev only tops at 430 km/h. Unless there is another major technology breakthrough, I don't see the 500km/h train can be commercially ready any time soon.

 

[AndrewJin]

500 km/h? I'm curious what technology they are using and at what cost. At this speed the wheels and the rails may get overheated, especially in break situations. So my guess is some kind of levitation has to be used. But our current Shanghai Maglev only tops at 430 km/h. Unless there is another major technology breakthrough, I don't see the 500km/h train can be commercially ready any time soon.

Test is test, it's about full potential and the upper limit.
Even out normal Z/T/K train in test can operate at 200km/h, but in fact they are at most 160km/h.

 

[TaiShang]

Test is test, it's about full potential and the upper limit.
Even out normal Z/T/K train in test can operate at 200km/h, but in fact they are at most 160km/h.
View attachment 211236

Indeed, what is more important is to have the capacity, which requires immense know-how. Whether these technologies are commercially feasible is another issue.

Innovation begets innovation. China needs to keep its sight on the next horizon, all the time.

 

[AndrewJin]

Indeed, what is more important is to have the capacity, which requires immense know-how. Whether these technologies are commercially feasible is another issue.

Innovation begets innovation. China needs to keep its sight on the next horizon, all the time.

Exactly.
Actually our 300km/h(current operational speed) lines can meet 380-400km/h standards, our 200km/h can meet 250km/h standards. We have margin to speed up.

 

[DoTell]

Indeed, what is more important is to have the capacity, which requires immense know-how. Whether these technologies are commercially feasible is another issue.

Innovation begets innovation. China needs to keep its sight on the next horizon, all the time.

Agreed! I was just thinking along the line of speed gain vs. safety and cost. Upgrading from the regular 80 km/h to 320 km/h, shrinking travel time by a factor 4 is a big deal. It is definitely worth doing. But going from 320 km/h to 500 km/h is less attractive if the cost more than doubles. So this is where real innovations are needed: improving HSR performance while keeping the safety high and cost low.

 

[TaiShang]

Agreed! I was just thinking along the line of speed gain vs. safety and cost. Upgrading from the regular 80 km/h to 320 km/h, shrinking travel time by a factor 4 is a big deal. It is definitely worth doing. But going from 320 km/h to 500 km/h is less attractive if the cost more than doubles. So this is where real innovations are needed: improving HSR performance while keeping the safety high and cost low.

Exactly. I'm also personally not excited about the commercial application of 500km/hour CHSR. 300-350km is fine. More than this would be sort of vanity; a cost that a developing nation like China should not burden.

But I am excited about the technology. Even as a prototype, China should lead the race.

 

[AndrewJin]

Exactly. I'm also personally not excited about the commercial application of 500km/hour CHSR. 300-350km is fine. More than this would be sort of vanity; a cost that a developing nation like China should not burden.

330-350km/h is enough, 380km/h in some sections(like very straight section).
500km/h is for the future and innovation. Who knows what will happen 20 years later?

 

[Keel]

500 Km/hr is too fast?
How about this one?
China Developing a Train That Will Run at 620 Miles Per Hour

 

[terranMarine]

Japan has developed some interesting trains.
SCMaglev - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
L0 Series Shinkansen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

traveling at >500km/h must feel like flying.

 

[AndrewJin]

Japan has developed some interesting trains.
SCMaglev - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
L0 Series Shinkansen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

traveling at >500km/h must feel like flying.

350kph on a bridge 100 metre above the ground is already like flying.