On September 20, the new generation medium-low speed maglev trains built by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. debuted at China (Changchun) Rail Traffic Expo. Streamlined train head and the animal-themed interior and exterior caught the eyes of the public. It is reported that the train as a mature commercial maglev train model will soon be delivered for service on the special tourism line in Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province, combining maglev transport with ecotourism.
It is known that CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. applies the normal conducting electromagnetic levitation and short-stator linear motor traction technology. The train is designed with the maximum speed of 120km/h, the highest speed level of medium-low speed maglev trains by now. With accurate single-point levitation control system, excellent streamlined aerodynamics design as well as safe and reliable pure hydraulic braking device, the train stands at the leading edge of medium-low maglev train technology.
Built with aluminum alloy and composite materials, the tourism-dedicated train applies interior noise control measures (damping coating and sound absorbent pad alike) to ensure that it is safe, comfortable, energy-saving and environment-friendly. Meanwhile, the adorable animal-theme design and the application of "French" window perfectly integrate the interior and exterior environment.
With the help of electromagnetic force, Maglev trains levitate above the track by about 8mm and moves longitudinally thanks to the linear motors installed. Medium-low speed maglev transport system stands out for its environment performance (low noise and vibration), safety, small turning radius and strong climbing capability, well suited for the transit in urban areas, between neighboring cities and in tourist attractions. As the innovation of China’s new generation rail transit product, the medium-low speed maglev train outperforms its rail transit counterparts in land use as well as construction costs and period.
With extensive experience in medium-low speed magnetic levitation, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. is the first rail traffic equipment manufacturer in China in terms of the operation of high speed maglev vehicles.
CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. developed the test vehicle for the high speed maglev test line during the "10th Five-year Plan", and completed the manufacture of 500km/h high speed home-made maglev prototype train amid the "11th Five-year Plan", which has been put into the Shanghai Maglev Line for commercial operation. During the "12th Five-year Plan", CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. upgraded two high speed maglev test vehicles, making further progress in the system integration of the complete vehicle. In the "13th Five-year Plan" period, CRRC Changchun participated in the research and development of 600km/h high speed maglev vehicle project, undertaking the research of car body structure, the distribution of aerodynamic resistance, noise, as well as high temperature super-conducting technology.
In 1992, CRRC Changchun accomplished the task of developing low-speed maglev frame, the key program of the State Scientific and Technological Commission for tackling key issues in the "8th Five-year Plan" period. In 2001, it worked with Southwest Jiaotong University in the development of the low-speed maglev train for the Qingchengshan maglev demonstration line, on the basis of which it developed 3 medium-low speed maglev trains for the 1.7km test line in Shanghai in 2005.
Thanks to its extensive experience in maglev technology, CRCC Changchun won the bidding for a 38km tourism-dedicated line of medium-low speed maglev trains in Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province in June 2018. The first phase of the project will be to put the maglev line into operation along with the opening of Chimelong Theme Park, followed by further access to more regional tourist attraction in the later phases. Tourist by then would have the opportunity to experience for themselves the charm of the medium-low speed maglev trains again.
