The Transrapid project is one intended to connect Berlin and Hamburg in Germany with a maglev train. If it all works on time then it should be operational by 2005. The journey time will be no more than 60 minutes for the 292km (181miles) giving rise to an impressive 292km/h (181mph) average speed.
The trains will be 5th generation ICEs capable of a maximum speed of 500km/h (310mph). In service they may run at 300km/h (186mph) just like conventional high speed trains. The guidway after stations will contain more electromagnets to help accelerate the train. The trains will have an acceleration as good as regional S-Bahn trains and be able to accelerate to 300km/h (186mph) in just 5km. (Currently it takes 15km for a conventional train to accelerate to 300km/h (186mph))
This will be the worlds very first very high speed maglev railway in commercial service. Many around the world will be whatching since this will give an indication as to the viability of maglev technology.
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