What are the advantages of the maglev train?

Answer 1

If you have an automobile, you may be aware of the cost of gasoline. If not, you have seen automobile owners purchase gasoline. If you drive down the highway, the automobile uses gasoline. The car engine uses gasoline for a source of energy to make the car move. The engine makes the wheels move.

As the wheels move they produce rolling friction. The engine must overcome this rolling friction. The weight of the engine and transmission on the wheels adds to this rolling friction. If a way could be found to remove the engine and transmission from the car, the rolling friction could be greatly reduced. Maybe instead of having the engine as part of the car, we can place it between two tracks. We will make it magnetic. We will try that.

While we are at it, maybe we can reduce the rolling friction all together. Maybe we can use the repulsive force of magnets to hold our vehicle a millimeter or two above a track. That would do away completely with rolling friction. Yes, We will have the motor a long strung out electric motor between the tracks and we will not need wheels to drive the vehicle. Then we can levitate the vehicle a few millimeters above the track. What do you say we call it a maglev train. Once we get out the kinks, it will be a lot less expensive to run than current equipment.

Such trains will not be built any time soon in the United States except for short distances. Current train tracks simply are not straight enough. The distance between standard gage tracks can vary in width by 1/2 inch. That is far too much for a maglev train. It would be necessary to secure new right of way.

Answer 2

They are three times faster than the average car and dont release as much carbon dioxide as normal trains. plus, because they use electromagnets they need less maintenence.