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Ever wonder what world leaders (or maybe the right-hand men of world leaders) talk about when they get together? Fast trains! Really fast trains:
The green light has been given to a second German high-speed magnetic levitation (maglev) rail line, to link the economic hub of Shanghai with the eastern city of Hangzhou, a government source said.“It was approved at a regular meeting of the State Council (Cabinet) recently,” said the source in Shanghai.
He said Premier Wen Jiabao had discussed the issue with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier during his two-day trip to Beijing that ended on Thursday.
The story says the 30 km maglev that heads to the Pudong airport cost US$1.2 billion to construct. Just a guess, but we bet the Shanghai-Hangzhou line (170 km) will cost ... a lot.
The trip to Hangzhou would take only 26 minutes on the maglev. That's quicker than your cab ride to the maglev station.
UPDATE: Looks like this may not be a done deal.
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If the Chinese government feels obligated to buy expensive German feats of engineering because of trade issues, they should buy something really useful. Maybe a few dozen MRI machines or particle beam emitters for cancer therapy. The Maglev is a such a waste. . . .
1. I am travelling a lot and the maglev is the best feature on the Chinese part of b-trips. would not exactly consider it a waste.
2. will not believe in a German participation in the Hangzhou line until they start construction...
They have MRI machines. My Chinese friend took me to a hospital where I had my knee MRI'd for 360 rmb using a new Siemens (I think) MRI machine. I kid you not. At Shanghai United they want like 800 dollars. Maybe someone could write a Shanghaiist article about navigating Chinese hospitals?
The safe range of magnetic levitated train is set to 22.5 meters, but in Germany, this range is 300 meters.
This project was suspended last May due to huge protest of residents. This optimized plan will still involve a lot residents. Do you feel good when you open you window and see a fast magnetic training running?
All residends along DianPu river strongly protest this project.
Do you want to take this maglev train, which will impact health of residents?