A train faster than a plane will reach 1000 km/h and travel between two countries in 60 minutes

A new magnetic levitation system under development in China promises to revolutionize high-speed transportation by combining low-pressure tunnels and speeds of up to 1.000 km/h.

A new transportation system under development in China promises to achieve 1.000 km/h and compete with air transport for medium-distance trips.

Based on magnetic levitation and in low-pressure tunnels, the project known as T-Flight It has already undergone testing in Shanxi province and is presented by its developers as a decisive step towards travel between major urban centers in about an hour, on routes equivalent to the distance between the capitals of neighboring countries.

Low pressure and extreme speed technology

The T-Flight is developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, a state-owned company linked to the defense and technology sector.

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The system combines magnetic rails with tunnels of low air pressure, reducing both friction with the rails and air resistance.

In recent demonstration tests conducted in Yanggao, Datong County, Shanxi Province, full-scale prototypes were put into operation on an experimental stretch.

According to Chinese authorities, the system was designed to achieve speeds of up to 1.000 km/h, exceeding the typical cruising range of commercial aircraft.

In previous tests, the company had already reported reaching speeds above 600 km/h in a low-vacuum test tube, validating the concept under real operating conditions.

The results reported by the engineers indicate that the train is able to maintain its position. stable and controllable at high speed, which paves the way for longer testing phases.

In addition to performance, the experiments also seek to evaluate aspects of safety, energy consumption, and aerodynamic behavior inside the tunnel.

How magnetic levitation works

The basis of the system is… magnetic levitation, or maglev.

Instead of wheels touching the rails, the train floats a few centimeters above the track thanks to the interaction between electromagnets installed in the vehicle and metal coils positioned along the line’s structure.

China is testing a maglev train with speeds of up to 1000 km/h using a low-pressure tunnel. The technology aims to reduce travel time between countries to approximately 60 minutes.

When the train starts moving, electric currents are sent to these magnets, creating magnetic fields that repel it from the tracks and keep it suspended.

At lower speeds, contact can still occur, but above a certain speed, the magnetic force becomes sufficient to lift the entire assembly, eliminating mechanical friction.

At the same time, another set of magnets is responsible for propulsion, pushing the train forward by means of a linear motor.

In low-pressure environments, air resistance decreases, allowing acceleration to be maintained at levels far exceeding those of a conventional train.

Advantages of the 1000 km/h maglev

One of the main advantages of high-speed maglev is… reduction of travel time.

In the case of the route between Beijing and ShanghaiCurrently, a journey by high-speed train takes 4,5 to 6,5 hours, but projections indicate that a system like the T-Flight could shorten the route to approximately… 1,5 hour.

This performance puts the train in a position to compete directly with air transport on routes of approximately 1.000 kilometers.

Air travel over these distances often involves travel to distant airports, boarding time, and security checks, which significantly increases the total travel time.

Another benefit is the less mechanical wear.

Since the train does not touch the tracks, maintenance tends to be less frequent and cheaper over the system’s lifespan.

There are also environmental advantages, since electrified rail systems can emit fewer greenhouse gases per passenger compared to air transport, depending on the energy matrix used.

Implementation costs and challenges

Despite its advantages, T-Flight requires big investments in infrastructure.

The system relies on extensive tunnels or pipelines capable of maintaining reduced pressure over hundreds of kilometers.

The deployment includes stations, control centers, pumping systems, and safety structures specifically designed for low-pressure environments.

China is testing a maglev train with speeds of up to 1000 km/h using a low-pressure tunnel. The technology aims to reduce travel time between countries to approximately 60 minutes.

The route also needs to be highly rectilinear, which increases the complexity of licensing and expropriations.

Even countries that already operate commercial maglev trains, such as China with the Shanghai train, maintain short routes due to the high construction costs.

In the case of T-Flight, the safety and accuracy requirements are even more stringent because of the planned speed.

Possibility of adoption by other countries

The adoption of similar magnetic levitation systems depends on economic, geographic, and regulatory factors.

Regions with large urban centers separated by 500 to 1.500 kilometers would be natural candidates for the model.

In practice, however, countries tend to prioritize already established technologies when seeking to expand rail transport networks.

Na Latin AmericaThere are research projects using maglev, such as MagLev-Cobra in Brazil, aimed at low-speed urban transportation.

However, there are still no signs of the implementation of a regional high-speed corridor based on magnetic levitation and vacuum tunnels.

Potential impact on international travel

If the promised performance is confirmed, T-Flight could redefine the standard for commuting between megacities.

Journeys that currently take hours could be reduced to about an hour, including between neighboring countries, provided there are agreements and adequate infrastructure on both sides of the border.

Systems of this type could strengthen economic integration between regions, facilitating the flow of people and goods without relying exclusively on air transport.

Experts, however, point out that the necessary investment is high and involves long-term planning.

With testing progressing and new experiments being planned, the debate is growing about the role of ultra-fast magnetic levitation trains in the future of mobility.

In a scenario where travel time and energy efficiency are gaining importance, to what extent can technologies like this transform the way we travel between cities and countries?