MAGLEV MOVIE MONDAY (TUESDAY)

Heres a new but older video of the Transrapid 08.  Even has some editing of Transrapid track for the proposed Munich line.


Here is another newer but older video of the Transrapid 07.  Has some really good video quality!  Unfortunately it is all in German.



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Ca/Nv Maglev News

Last Transrapid test ride in Lathen

All,
Yes it is true.  The test track for Transrapid has been shut down in Lathen Germany.  The last rides that went out were on November 28 for a "Spanish delegation" (the Tenerife project in Spain).


However, there are some great stats about the test track.
* Test Track opened in 1987
* 800,000 kilometers traveled = (497,097 miles) 
* The equator circumference of the Earth is 24,902 miles or 20 trips around the earth
* 170 mph on a 19.7 mile track = on average 21,613 miles tested each year
* 450 mph was achieved on June 10 1993
* Half a million visitors took tours in Lathen Germany where only 5,882 people live


* It will cost Germany $40M Euros to convert the test track to test non-contact charging for electric vehicles.


The closing of Lathen does not yet mean an end for Transrapid.


Other projects are still in planning stages:
* Tenerife Spain project is still a go, waiting for final green light.
* Swiss Rapide is in planning stages
* UK Ultraspeed is in planning stages
* CA/NV project is still a go, waiting for funds to approve final environmental
* Pittsburgh project has filled for re-structuring
* Atlanta to Chattanooga is in planning stages
* Baltimore/DC project ???


http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fweser-ems.business-on.de%2Ftransrapid-versuchsanlage-bund-elektromobilitaet-lathen-arbeitsplatzabbau-_id22565.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transrapid


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Ca/Nv Maglev News

Antonovich suggests Amtrak speed upgrade instead of HSR

All,
There is a lot of discussion about the costs with the HSR for CA now, that the proposed costs have tripled.

Supervisor Antonovich (Antelope Valley/San Fernando/Alhambra/Burbank areas), has suggested instead of building a HSR route from Lancaster to San Diego that an upgrade of Metrolink and Amtrak rails to 110 mph should be considered due to costs.

(Though it would be very hard to sell a faster train to have passengers get off of one train to connect to faster HSR train.  The HSR then does not become a true HSR with speeds not even reaching 150).

We couldnt find the official release from Supervisors Antonovich's website but, heres the article from Santa Clarita Valley News.

http://scvnews.com/?p=24635

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Ca/Nv Maglev News

CA HSR route approved for Palmdale, DX connection, E220

All,
Lots of HSR talk this week including this.  After reports last summer that the Antelope Valley (Lancaster/Palmdale) route vs. Grapevine/Gorman route would be too expensive for the CA HSR a new report has been released this week.  The report estimates that now the Antelope Valley route is now actually the better choice with a longer route (3 to 5 mins), less maintenance costs, and a possible $50M in ridership revenue.  


There is still talk about the master plan of connecting HSR to the DX with a expansion route from Palmdale to Victorville (DX station), primarily following the West/East (still in proposed planning stages) E-220 freeway.  (readers, dont forget that there are no proposed government submissions to bring the DX to Palmdale and the CA HSR).  As the article states "proposed connection."


http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/transportation/avoid-the-grapevine-high-speed-rail-authority-staff-recommends.html

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bullet-train-20120110,0,2183342.story




Keep Flying On The Ground! 
Ca/Nv Maglev News