When will mag-lev trains be available to travel on?

Question

I live in Southern California in an area where this type of train was "In development" to transport people to & from Las Vegas, Nevada. Obviously it's expensive as the reports stated it'd cost about the same as an airline ticket, around $300 or $400. The development has been put on hold. Has anyone ever been on one? How does the ride feel? How expensive are they to travel on?

Answer 1

existing systems --- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maglev_trai...

Answer 2

I rode on a test maglev in Berlin about 15 years ago. smooth ride, but it was really too short a system to fully guage it.

there is always a lot of talk about them, but no one ever seems to follow through. we were supposed to get one from NYC to Albany years ago. Never happened.

Answer 3

The main problems so far are cost and infrastructure, firstly its extremely expensive to build - and secondly how do you route a line into a city centre? it can't share tracks with other trains like the TGV, ICE etc do on the approaches to Terminals so would require an all new alignment

Answer 4

The maglev train from Shanghai airport to the city is operation-I think it costs about $30. The maglev test train in Japan is presently taking the general public on free joyrides. I can't say I have been on either one.

Answer 5

well, from what i've heard, they're already opporational in europe. I dont know when they'd be here but i've heard they're a very smooth ride because of the whole zero friction thing...

Answer 6

The SRT in Toronto uses a form of mag lev.  Linear induction motors and a reaction rail.  The propulsion is magnetic but the train does run on rails and steel wheels.  The ride is smooth as long as there are no flat spots on the wheels.

Cost is the same as anywhere else in Toronto's transit system

Answer 7

Most likely they will never see wide use in the US.  Mostly because of the completely new infrastructure that would need to be created.  We have Millions of miles of track in place, most of which is cheaper to upgrade than what it would cost to build a Mag Lev.  

Also the main source of commerce would be commuters which is only really profitable if you are going where everyone wants to go.  The airlines, Amtrak, and many regional commuter lines have always had trouble making a profit just on commuters.  Airlines and Amtrak use mail transport and government subsidies to help them survive.

Again there are situations were it would be feasible, but in most cases its not economically viable.

Answer 8

You can ride them allready, If you live in Japan, just be patient, and I'm sure that they will be cheaper than flying.