China has unveiled a new bullet train prototype that, if everything goes well in tests, could be in service as soon as 2021.
The magnetic-levitation train was developed by a state-owned company, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation. It reportedly tops out at about 372 mph (600 km/h), and while that is no 633 mph like we saw three years ago, people are actually going to ride this one.
The world record for a maglev train is currently held by a Japanese company that set the mark in April 2015 at 603 km/h (375 mph).
Maglev technology takes the friction out of the equation by using magnets to push the train off the track and propel it forward.
According to CRRC's deputy chief engineer, via CNN, the bullet train will be faster than flying. Right now, to go from Shanghai to Beijing, it takes 5.5 hours by rail or 4.5 hours by plane. With this new bullet train, it will take about 3.5 hours.
To put that in perspective, that's like going from New York to Chicago in 3.5 hours.
