Maglev Train Record in Japan: Reaches 374 MPH for 11 Seconds

Japan set a new speed record with its maglev ("magnetic levitation") train on Tuesday, which reached 374 mph for a full 11 seconds.

The BBC reported via MSN that the train was developed by Central Japan Railway (JR Central), which plans to use the commuter technology to connect Tokyo and the central city of Nagoya by 2027.

The train, part of the company's Lo Series, was carrying 49 railway employees when it made the record trip.


Construction of the Tokyo-Nagoya route is likely to total roughly $100 billion, as it will have to create a number of tunnels. It's estimated that the 170-mile trip could be completed in just 40 minutes with the new train.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will travel to the U.S. on April 26, and is expected to pitch the new tech to the American market. He will talk specifically about linking New York City with Washington D.C. using a maglev train.

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