China has successfully tested a new high-speed maglev (magnetic levitation) train in Hubei Province that is faster than many airplanes when it comes to acceleration. In this latest test, the train reached a speed of 404 miles per hour (about 650 kilometers per hour) in just seven seconds. That’s incredibly fast—quicker than the take-off speed of most commercial aircraft.
This train was developed by the Donghu Laboratory and weighs around 1.1 tons. It runs on a specially designed elevated track using magnetic levitation, which means it floats slightly above the track using powerful magnets. This technology removes the friction that regular trains face when their wheels touch the tracks, allowing the train to move much faster and more smoothly.
Earlier tests of the same train showed that it could even reach speeds of up to 600 miles per hour (965 kilometers per hour), which makes it one of the fastest trains ever built. Once this new system is ready to be used for public transportation, it could reduce travel time dramatically—possibly making it even faster than flying on certain routes.
Currently, only a few countries in the world use maglev trains, including China, Japan, and South Korea. With this new breakthrough, China is once again pushing the boundaries of transportation technology and giving us a glimpse into the future of super-fast, ground-based travel.
