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Bullet train sets new record of 603kmh in Japan

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Japan’s state-of-the-art maglev train clocked a new world speed record on Tuesday (April 21) in a test run near Mount Fuji, smashing the previous mark of 600kmh mark.

According to the Central Japan Railway, the seven-car maglev train, short for “magnetic levitation”, hit a top speed of 603kmh and managed to travel over 600kmh for over 11 seconds. 


The record setting train on an experimental track in Tsuru, Yamanashi Prefecture, Tokyo. PHOTO: REUTERS

So, what if the maglev train was used for the high-speed railway link between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur?

The estimated distance of the planned Singapore-KL link is between 320km and 340km. 

This means that the maglev train can theoretically cover that distance in just 30mins.

This is a fifth of the time that Malaysia's Land Public Transport Commission estimated that the journey between Singapore and KL would take.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has said that Japan has indicated it is interested in taking up the Singapore and KL railway project. 

Japan is looking to sell its shinkansen bullet and maglev train systems overseas, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe acting as a travelling salesman in his bid to revive the economy partly through infrastructure exports.

The new record came less than a week after the company recorded a top speed of 590kmh, breaking its own 2003 record of 581kmh.

About 200 train buffs gathered for Tuesday’s record-setting run in Japan, with the crowd cheering as the train broke through 600kmh.

“It gave me chills. I really want to ride on the train,” an elderly woman told public broadcaster NHK as the carriage rocketed past her.

“It’s like I witnessed a new page in history.”

Source: AFP, The Star Online

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