Blink and you miss it: China’s maglev train reaches 700 kmph in two seconds

China has set a new world record in rail technology after a superconducting maglev train accelerated to 700 kmph in just two seconds during a recent test, becoming the fastest of its kind ever recorded.

The test was conducted by researchers at China’s National University of Defence Technology on a 400-metre magnetic levitation track. A vehicle weighing around one tonne was accelerated to the record speed and then safely brought to a halt.

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A video footage released by China’s state broadcaster CCTV shows the train flashing past almost too quickly to follow, leaving behind a thin misty trail. The train floats above the track using superconducting magnets that lift and propel it forward without touching the rails, eliminating friction.

The electromagnetic acceleration technology demonstrated in the test could also be applied to space and aviation, while the achievement has expanded possibilities for future vacuum-pipeline maglev transport systems.

The team behind the breakthrough has been working on the project for a decade and had earlier reached a top speed of 648 kmph on the same track in January.