China begins trial run of domestically manufactured magnetic levitation train

BEIJING: The trial run of China's first domestically manufactured magnetic levitation 19-km-long line began today.

The maglev shuttles between Hunana province's Changsha south railway station and the airport, with one stop in between.

It takes about ten minutes to complete the 18.55-km journey, a statement from operator Hunan Maglev Transport Co said.

The maglev line uses "Zhuifengzhe" (wind chaser) trains designed and manufactured by railway manufacturing giant CRRC in Hunan's Zhuzhou.

The 48-meter-long train can carry 363 people in three carriages.

It can achieve a maximum speed of 100 km per hour, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The domestically produced moderate-speed maglev line costs about 195 million yuan (USD about 30 million) per km not including relocation fees.

It is highly economical in terms of construction and maintenance costs, the statement said.