The prototype of CNR Tangshan Locomotive & Rolling Stock Works, a partner of Siemens on chinese market, is according to People's Daily Online an example for chinese maglev technology and reminds of Transrapid
(photo composition: GFM-ev)
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung from 02.05.2006 refers a notice of Chinese news agency Xinhua, in accordance with it a Chinese maglev was successfully tested on a 0.25-mile-long experimental line in Chengdu (province of Sichuan). The train has been designed for a maximum speed of 100 mph and a length of 34 feet for 60 passengers. It enters a contest with the Japanese HSST system, whis is made for transport in metropolitan area and was taken into operation at the Expo 2005 in Nagoya. Nevertheless, China has aimed at developing a maglev train for speeds up to 312 mph (500km/h) - for marketing a competitive product to Transrapid, too.
According to a notice of Shanghai Daily the two years long test period of Shanghai Transrapid meanwhile ended successfully. The national assessment committee declared that Transrapid complies with China's relevant standards and requirements. For that reason, the link is now fully operational. At the end of March 2006 6.2 million passengers were transported and vehicles have run 1.5 millon miles.