The technology promises a ride that's smoother, quieter and almost
   twice as fast as traditional high-speed rail.

RELATED ARTICLES
--
   half.

   For comparison, the UK's HS2 rail line will run at 224mph (360km/h).

   By 2045, Maglev trains are expected to link Tokyo and Osaka in just 67
--
   and carry up to 1,000 passengers at a time.

   Japan is well-established as the world leader in high-speed trains,
   having developed the first 'bullet train' in 1964.

--
   1984. This travelled at a rather mundane 26mph (42km/hr).

   It was not until the turn of the century, though, that high-speed
   maglev would come into commercial operation, mostly in Japan and China.
   The technology promises a ride that's smoother, quieter and almost
   twice as fast as traditional high-speed rail. This image shows one of
   Japan's Maglev trains, which will run from Tokyo to Nagoya when the
   country's first line opens in 2027
   The technology promises a ride that's smoother, quieter and almost
   twice as fast as traditional high-speed rail. This image shows one of
   Japan's Maglev trains, which will run from Tokyo to Nagoya when the
   country's first line opens in 2027
--
   But not everyone is convinced that the technology is safe.

   Andy Kunz, president of the US High Speed Rail Association. told the
   Los Angeles Times that maglev trains have proved to be expensive,
   power-intensive, and potentially unsafe.
--
   Plans for a 'Maglev' train system between Hull and Liverpool have been
   proposed. China was the first country to have a commercially-operated
   high-speed Maglev service. The Shanghai Maglev (pictured) opened in
   January 2004. It cost $1.3billion (£830million) to build
   Plans for a 'Maglev' train system between Hull and Liverpool have been
   proposed. China was the first country to have a commercially-operated
   high-speed Maglev service. The Shanghai Maglev (pictured) opened in
   January 2004. It cost $1.3billion (£830million) to build