Beijing to Build Maglev Railway in Badaling Great Wall Section

Sources from Beijing Enterprises Holdings Limited say that the main part of the project of China's first EMS (Electro Magnetic System) High and Medium Speed Maglev (magnetic levitation) Line has been completed recently.

When experiments are concluded, the construction of Badaling Great Wall Magnetic Levitation Railway will be launched which is planned to be finished and put into operation in early 2003. By then, tourists can take the world most advanced magnetic levitation train from the new parking lot directly to the foot of Badaling Great Wall.

The EMS High and Medium Speed Maglev Line, now under experiment and co-constructed by Beijing Enterprises Holdings Limited, Beijing Badaling Tourism Development Co., Ltd. and National University of Defense Technology, involves a total investment exceeding 200 million yuan.

The bodywork and electrical equipment are produced and assembled by Changzhou Passenger Car Group, Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Research Institute (ZELRI), etc.

The railway is planned to be 2.1 kilometers in length, with two-way tracks constructed collaterally. The whole journey will take less than three minutes. Each carriage is designed to carry 100 passengers. The minimum transport capacity of the line will reach 20,000 person/time each day. It will become the first commercial magnetic levitation railway in China and even the world.

Magnetic levitation lines will henceforth become a large industry. The newly-born Beijing Enterprises Holdings Maglev Technological Development Co., Ltd. is set up to promote the industrialization of maglev train technology and make it serve inter-city traffic and tour to scenic spots. So far, a number of cities have contacted the company for cooperation negotiation.

(People's Daily 04/15)