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| German plans for maglev derailed | German plans for maglev derailed |
| (1 day later) | |
| Germany's plan to launch a magnetic levitation - or maglev - rail service has collapsed amid soaring costs. | Germany's plan to launch a magnetic levitation - or maglev - rail service has collapsed amid soaring costs. |
| It was to be built in Munich from the airport to the city centre, making it Europe's first commercial maglev train. | It was to be built in Munich from the airport to the city centre, making it Europe's first commercial maglev train. |
| The plans came unstuck after the estimated cost of the track spiralled to 3.2bn euros ($5bn; £2.5bn), up from 1.85bn euros. | The plans came unstuck after the estimated cost of the track spiralled to 3.2bn euros ($5bn; £2.5bn), up from 1.85bn euros. |
| Maglev trains use electric-powered magnets that enable them to float above their tracks, allowing for high speeds. | Maglev trains use electric-powered magnets that enable them to float above their tracks, allowing for high speeds. |
| "The Munich magnetic levitation rail project has collapsed," said Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee. | "The Munich magnetic levitation rail project has collapsed," said Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee. |
| The developers of the train, Siemens and ThyssenKrupp, had been working on the project which had been spearheaded by construction firm Hochtief. | The developers of the train, Siemens and ThyssenKrupp, had been working on the project which had been spearheaded by construction firm Hochtief. |
| Rail operator Deutsche Bahn, Munich airport and the European Union were also involved. | Rail operator Deutsche Bahn, Munich airport and the European Union were also involved. |
| How Maglev works | How Maglev works |
| Bavaria's plans for the train, announced last year, had created great excitement in Germany since it had already played a leading role in pioneering the new technology. | Bavaria's plans for the train, announced last year, had created great excitement in Germany since it had already played a leading role in pioneering the new technology. |
| It also lifted hopes for the future of the maglev trains, which have enjoyed little commercial success outside China. | It also lifted hopes for the future of the maglev trains, which have enjoyed little commercial success outside China. |
| In Shanghai, the floating train has shuttled passengers between the airport and the financial district since 2003 at a top speed of more than 500km/h (310mph). | In Shanghai, the floating train has shuttled passengers between the airport and the financial district since 2003 at a top speed of more than 500km/h (310mph). |
| Japan has said it aims to launch its first maglev rail service by 2025. | Japan has said it aims to launch its first maglev rail service by 2025. |
| The UK was first to introduce maglev trains in 1984 in Birmingham to bridge a short distance between the city's airport and railway station. | |
| But after 11 years in operation, reliability problems and the sheer expense of extending the network, which are incompatible with traditional railway lines, prompted its replacement with a conventional system. | But after 11 years in operation, reliability problems and the sheer expense of extending the network, which are incompatible with traditional railway lines, prompted its replacement with a conventional system. |
| HOW MAGLEV TRAINS WORK Like poles on magnets keep train above trackTrain is propelled by electro-magnetic system in the sides of the "guideway" instead of onboard engineTop speed (with passengers) - 450km/h (280mph)Developed by Transrapid Int in GermanyOperating commercially in ShanghaiTest facility in Emsland, northern Germany, is longest of its kind at 31.5km (19.5 miles) Source: Transrapid International | HOW MAGLEV TRAINS WORK Like poles on magnets keep train above trackTrain is propelled by electro-magnetic system in the sides of the "guideway" instead of onboard engineTop speed (with passengers) - 450km/h (280mph)Developed by Transrapid Int in GermanyOperating commercially in ShanghaiTest facility in Emsland, northern Germany, is longest of its kind at 31.5km (19.5 miles) Source: Transrapid International |
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