A new revolution is unfolding in China—this time, in transportation. The development of a train capable of reaching speeds of 1,000 kilometres per hour could transform the world of logistics. The ability to move shipments across vast distances in mere minutes has the potential to radically reshape both domestic and global markets. Just how far ahead is China compared to the West in transportation technologies?
The floating locomotive
Work continues in China on the T-Flight ultra-high-speed train project, which uses magnetic levitation technology inside a vacuum tube—also known as Hyperloop. The train is expected to reach speeds of up to 1,000 km/h, surpassing the average cruising speed of commercial jet airliners.
The project began in 2022 at a test facility in the city of Datong, Shanxi Province. Initially dismissed as science fiction, the creation of this ultra-fast “millennium” train has since brought together technologies from both the railway and aviation sectors.
Currently, China’s operational magnetic levitation trains in the CR400 series travel at speeds of 350 km/h, with a maximum speed of 400 km/h.
By early 2025, a new model of high-speed train—the CR450—was unveiled. Thanks to a 10% reduction in weight, a 22% decrease in air resistance, improved aerodynamic design, the elimination of resonance, and enhanced thermal insulation, the train’s operational speed has been increased to 400 km/h, with a maximum speed of 450 km/h.
A prototype train using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnetic levitation technology, developed by Southwest Jiaotong University, has demonstrated speeds of up to 620 km/h.
For several years now, the Shanghai Transrapid has been running along a 30-kilometre elevated track between downtown Shanghai and Pudong International Airport, reaching speeds of up to 431 km/h.
Today, China’s maglev trains are the fastest commercially operated trains in the world. HTS technology produces no harmful emissions, minimises noise, and offers high safety and low operational costs.
However, the T-Flight project—aimed at reaching speeds of 1,000 km/h—goes beyond the scope of existing technologies.
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