If SNCF’s priority today is to focus on daily lines, small lines and the regeneration of its network, it is always aware of high speed or even very high speed.
Although the new TGV M will be running next year, this Friday we learned that the operator has signed a cooperation agreement with Nevomo. This Polish company is working on MagRail, a technology inspired by Hyperloop but without the strong limitations associated with it, that is, a suitable infrastructure to implement that daunts all the major operators on the planet.
Nevomo only retains the technology that allows the train to move forward: electromagnetic levitation, or Maglev.
magnetic forces
This technological innovation aims to eliminate the wheels of the oars and therefore the friction on the rails (source of energy loss) by replacing them with the use of magnetic forces.
It is based on superconductivity with the use of superconducting magnets in trains and electromagnets on tracks. A current is induced in the track, and the resulting force causes the train to levitate 100 millimeters. In the absence of friction, the theoretical speeds are higher than 400/500 km/h. China and Japan are actively working on the issue.
End of 2020Thus, China presented a new Maglev prototype that would sail at 620 km/h for a maximum speed of 800 km/h. Its designers aim for commercial operation in 2027.
The agreement signed with SNCF aims to assess the relevance and benefits of Maglev technology in the public company’s network, both for passenger and freight transport.
“We are pleased to sign this Memorandum of Understanding, which will cover three areas: increasing the performance of current freight trains for higher load limits and more capacity on our freight lines, increasing capacity on passenger lines in congested urban areas and to evaluate MagRail as an alternative propulsion for rural lines in combination with light vehicles”, explains Luc Laroche, director of innovation at SNCF, in a press release.
Above all, Nevomo ensures that its technical approach makes it possible to use the existing infrastructure even if the trains have to be modified. This reduces operating costs. Large-scale tests on small lines without catenaries would also be on the agenda.
Use the existing network by modifying the trains.
And promise an operating speed of 550 km/h all autonomously (no dedicated driver). Remember that the SNCF has also been working on this issue for years.
This partnership should also allow the Polish company to speed up its research and development. If the first tests were carried out, they were carried out with scale models in 2020. But last year, he built in Nowa Sarzyzna the largest test track for Maglev in Europe.
Source: BFM TV
