Japan's Lo maglev train aces first test, zooms past countryside at 311 mph

[onehandle]

This maglev train's length of development sure can't a hold a candle to its speed -- it took its creators almost six years to finally give it a test run. The five Lo Series cars zipped along the 26.6-mile track in nine minutes, hitting 311 mph within the first three miles. The reporters on board the futuristic vehicle couldn't feel or hear any disturbance, except for the odd blown mind. Outside, however, watching members of the public felt a shockwave followed by a deafening roar as the duck-billed train zoomed past. Using results from this trial, the company will be assessing the platypus-like train's potential environmental impact and looking for ways to reduce its maintenance costs in the future. You won't be taking a ride on this levitating wonder during your next Japanese vacation, though -- -- CJCR's got a few more tests to run before its 2027 launch date.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/30/maglev-train-shinkansen-japan

Meanwhile the Republican Party is zooming us back to the horse and buggy.

[itsrobert]

1. LA to San Fran in 1 hour 10 minutes

The new "bullet" train will be obsolete before it is finish. It's old technology now.

[Wait Wut]

2. HOLY SHIT!

[Evasporque]

3. Scott Walker leads the world back to the middle ages...

Blocked high speed trains development here in Wisconsin. Lost thousands of jobs because of it.

Scott Walker leading the way, driving the state into the ditch.

[dickthegrouch]

4. I'm Jealous - would love to ride in one

Hopefully Elon Musk will be allowed to connect LA and SF long before the California Rail Authority does, at 1/10th the price and more safely.

[hatrack]

5. That's pretty freaking cool . . .

But we can't have nice things, because Freedumb!