Maglev

Maglev stands for "magnetic levitation". Unlike most railway systems where the train maintains contact with the rails, on a Maglev system the train hovers above the track which of course negates the friction effect from the rails. British Rail's Research Department began investigating the concept in the early 1970s. A test track was built at Derby [1] with an experimental vehicle (Mag-Lev) built in 1974. Eight electro-magnets were used to lift the three ton vehicle about 15mm above the track. The vehicle was tested on a 100m track which included a number of curves and gradients. The test vehicle and track were in use for ten years.

Maglev in operation (KD collection)

Information
Number built:	3
Built:	1983
Builder:	Metro Cammell
Motor:	Electro-magnetic levitation and propulsion system

The experience from the BR Mag-Lev project was applied to the first commercial use of mag-lev technology at the new Birmingham International Airport in the early 1980s [2]. A 600m track was built connecting Birmingham International railway station to the airport [3]. An eight-ton development of the BR Mag-Lev operated on the track, also being elevated at 15mm. Maglev entered service in 1984 and was popular with passengers, however by the 1990s it was becoming unreliable and spare parts were becoming hard to find. Maglev was shut down in 1995. Three carriages have been preserved.

Coach 3 preserved at NRM York

[1] Colin J Marsden, Twenty Five Years of Railway Research (Oxford Publishing, 1989) p. 23

[2] Colin J Marsden, Departmental Stock (Ian Allan, 1984) p. 36

[3] Colin J Marsden (Ed.), Light Rail (Key Publishing, 2018) p. 113