In an era where speed defines development, China is pushing the limits of transportation to new heights with T-Flight - a maglev train that can make commercial aircraft look sluggish.
With a top speed of 965 km/h, T-Flight is significantly faster than the average cruising speed of a long-haul Boeing passenger jet. This means that the distance from Beijing to Shanghai (1,100 km) could take only about 1.5 hours, instead of the 6 hours of current high-speed trains.
T-Flight combines maglev technology with a low-vacuum tube system, which almost completely eliminates friction and air resistance. This is what allows the train to reach unprecedented speeds.
In February 2024, T-Flight reached a speed of 623 km/h in its first test on a 2 km track. In October, it continued to operate successfully in a low vacuum environment - an important milestone affirming the potential of this technology.
According to CGTN, “the maximum speed and lift of the ship were in line with the preset parameters,” indicating that the system was operating as planned. Although the specific vacuum pressure was not disclosed, many experts estimate it to be at the low end of the testing spectrum.
China is ambitiously pushing T-Flight to a maximum speed of 1,000 km/h on a 60 km long test track. If successful, they have set a further goal: to build a hypersonic version that can reach 4,000 km/h - 3 times the speed of sound!
Currently, T-Flight has surpassed the 602 km/h record of the world's fastest maglev train developed by Japan (expected to go into operation in 2027).
According to ZME Science, the secret of T-Flight is "flying without wings". The maglev train works by using magnetic force to lift it above the track, completely eliminating friction.
The technology comes in two main forms: Electromagnetic Suspension (EMS) — electromagnets on the train attract magnetic rails, helping the train hover; and electrodynamic suspension (EDS) — superconducting magnets on the train push with coils on the rails, creating higher lift.
Once lifted, the train is propelled forward by magnetic waves generated by coils along the track. When combined with vacuum tubes, the T-Flight can “glide” at extremely high speeds without encountering resistance.
While maglev technology isn't new — China, Japan and South Korea have been operating them for years — the integration with a vacuum tube system makes T-Flight a real breakthrough.
Unlike many Hyperloop projects around the world that have stalled or collapsed, China is persevering in realizing its ambitions. But the road ahead is still challenging: building a long, straight, pressurized tube system is a huge engineering and financial challenge.
“I’ll believe it when I see it in action,” said Mark Smith, a transport expert and founder of Seat61.com. “But if any country can do it, it’s China, they have the resources and don’t have to worry about the cost-benefit analysis.”
“China is proving that vacuum-powered high-speed trains are no longer a distant dream, but a reality that is slowly emerging,” said Andres de Leon, CEO of HyperloopTT.
