What are the disadvantages of a MagLev train?

Answer 1

Cost, quite simply. As opposed to traditional trains where power comes from the pushcar of the train, a Maglev train doesnt propel itself, the track does. This means that expensive electromagnets with several electrical substations dotted along its path need to be constructed throughout the entire track's length. The initial cost of building these lines is too high for economically disadvantaged countries.

The disadvantages of using the Maglev is that the Maglev tracks cost more than railroad tracks do. Whole new sets of tracks would need to be built for the Maglev to run.

Many transportation vehicles in Europe run on existing track, like the TGV trains in France. Although Maglevs are pretty quiet, there is still noise caused by air disturbance. Also another disadvantage is that if a high speed line between two cities it built, then high speed trains can serve both cities but more importantly they can serve other nearby cities by running on normal railways that branch off the high speed line. The high speed trains could go for a fast run on the high speed line, then come off it for the rest of the journey. Maglev trains wouldn't be able to do that, they would be limited to where maglev lines run. It would be very difficult to make construction of maglev lines commercially viable unless there were two very large destinations being connected. Of the 5000km that TGV trains serve in France, only about 1200km is high speed line, meaning 75% of TGV services run on existing track. The fact that a maglev train will not be able to continue beyond its track may harm its usefulness.