We had heard from our guide about the Maglev train - the magnetic levitated train that ran from the Pudong to the airport in Shanghai. When we heard from one of the other groups that their guide was going to take them for a train ride that afternoon, we asked our guide to do the same.


Photo by Gene Field

Very, very strong magnets keep the train a fraction of an inch above the tracks - they aren't really tracks, they are called guideways. Because the train is not touching anything, there is no friction to slow it down. Magnets are also used to move and stop the train. The trains were developed by a German company - Transrapid International and the project cost an enormous amount of money. The train only has a twenty mile run, from Pudong to the Shanghai airport. More routes are planned, but whether they are built will depend on how successful this Pudong/airport line turns our to be.

The bus dropped us off at the station and since our tickets had already been paid for, we just went up the escalator to the boarding area and got on the train. Everything was new, obviously; the seats were plush and comfortable, and it wasn't long before the train started up. The train accelerated quickly and smoothly, reaching a maximum speed of 431 kilometers per hour - about 268 miles per hour. It was not busy when we were on it and I don't know if it ever is crowded like BART at rush hour. After we got to our destination, we just remained aboard and went back to the Pudong station where our bus was waiting.