Japane’s magnetic levitation or Maglev train has set a new world record in speed by hitting 603km/h in a test run near Mount Fuji. The train beat its earlier record of 590km/h. The Maglev trains use electrically charged magnets to lift and move carriages above the rail tracks.

The Maglev trains are owned by the Central Japan Railway (JR Central), which wants to introduce the speed train service between Tokyo and the central city of Nagoya by 2027. The 280km journey would take only about 40 minutes, less than half the current time.

Japan is well known for its Shinkansen Trains or “Bullet Train” that run on steel rails, but has been investing in Maglev technology which it is hoping to sell overseas. The fastest operating speed of shinkansen is 320km/h. As of now passengers will not get to experience the maglev’s record-breaking speeds. The Central Japan Railway has announced that the trains will operate at a maximum of 505km/h.

Tidbits

1. The New Delhi Bhopal Shatabdi Express is the fastest train in India with the top speed of 150 km/h. The other speed trains include Duronto Express and Rajdhani Express.
2. Indian Railways aims to increase the speed of passenger trains to 160–200 km/h on dedicated conventional tracks.
3. The NDA Goverment has promised to build the Diamond Quadrilateral project, which would connect via high-speed rail the cities of Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. 
4. The Integral Coach Factory is located in Chennai, Tamilnadu. ICF is the major supplier of Rail Coaches of Indian Railways.