All You Need To Know About The World's Fastest Train – L0 Series Maglev
The L0 Series is a Japanese maglev train developed by the Central Japan Railway Company. It was unveiled in November 2012. It can be easily distinguished by its extremely long nose (5 meters / 49 ft) that helps reduce drag, increase speed and decrease energy consumption.
![L0 Series Maglev going fast](/static/blank_image.032173e8505c.png)
This train holds the land speed record at 603 km/h (375 mph) that was achieved on 21 April 2015. It broke the speed record of 581 km/h (361 mph) set by another Japanese maglev, the MLX01, in December 2003. Out of the top 10 fastest trains in the world, five are Japanese.
![L0 Series Maglev Long Nose](/static/blank_image.032173e8505c.png)
This train will start its commercial operation on the Tokyo and Osaka line. The operational speed will be 505 km/h (314 mph), and it will take only 40 minutes to go from Tokyo to Nagoya, covering 286 km / 178 miles), and 1 hour 7 minutes between Tokyo and Osaka. The first section to Nagoya is expected to be ready by 2027. There are currently 14 pre-production L0 Series maglevs being built. The complete Chūō Shinkansen maglev line is expected to cost $100 billion.
L0 Series Maglev Stats:
- Legth: 28 metres (92 ft)
- Length of the Nose: 15 metres (49 ft)
- Max Speed: 603 km/h (375 mph)
- Operational Speed: 505 km/h (314 mph)
- Four seats per row
- Color: white and blue
- Formation: 5 to 12 cars
- Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nippon Sharyo