In Poland, the World's First Magnetic Rail Train Successfully Tested
Polish startup Nevomo has successfully tested the world's first magnetic rail train, according to The Mayor. This new technology sets itself apart from maglev trains by allowing the utilization of existing railway infrastructure with minimal modifications.
Engineers at Nevomo aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of a levitating train running on existing tracks, a project that took approximately three and a half years of research and development. The results were showcased on Europe's longest passive magnetic levitation test track.
The tests took place on a 720-meter railway track in Nowa Sól, where the first-ever MagRail train, developed by the Polish startup Nevomo, was introduced. This technology enables trains to elevate above the rails and levitate, reaching speeds of up to 550 km/h.
The key distinction from the existing maglev technology used in Japan and South Korea is that MagRail can operate on existing railway tracks with only minor modifications, significantly reducing the implementation costs. This, in turn, is expected to make tickets for such trains very affordable despite high-speed travel.
"It's a bridge between the existing railway infrastructure and entirely new digital railway systems," said Przemek Paczek, CEO of Nevomo.
The development of this technology took approximately three and a half years. During the tests, MagRail carriages reached speeds of up to 135 km/h. A six-meter carriage weighing two tons was able to levitate after reaching a speed of 70 km/h and accelerate to 100 km/h in just 11 seconds.
The company plans to continue research and development of the MagRail technology, not only for passenger transport but also for various other applications. The primary goal is to enhance efficiency and capacity, preparing the first version of MagRail for commercial freight transport by 2024.
It's worth noting that in July, a Russian espionage network was exposed in Poland, whose members were allegedly involved in sabotaging shipments of arms and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, among other activities.