Why are maglev trains still rare? - eviltoast

They were invented decades ago.

They have fewer moving parts than wheelbois.

They require less maintenance.

There’s obviously some bottleneck in expanding maglev technology, but what is it?

  • Scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    12
    ·
    1 year ago

    Look at HS2 in Britain and how people are against the cost for higher speed options, or California HSR. I’m all for it, it should absolutely be done, but getting taxpayers to see 10 years into the future is difficult.

    • Aux@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      Brits are opposing HS2 simply because they are NIMBYies and oppose everything.

      • smeghead@feddit.uk
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        1 year ago

        Not entirely accurate. There’s a lot of support for HS2 in the North as it would greatly improve the infrastructure - but it’s increasingly obvious that HS2 will only be built out as far as is politically beneficial for the government so the project will deliver high speed rail in the south then be abandoned due to massive costs.

        South England will reap the benefits (again) paid for by the tax money of all.

        • Aux@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          arrow-down
          2
          ·
          edit-2
          1 year ago

          I’m not sure that it is really paid “by all”. London brings in 25% of all UK taxes while having only 13% of the population. Londoners are paying twice as much as everyone else and yet everyone else complains about “South England/London reaping the benefits”. Maybe try to fund something without our help for once? Or at least say thanks.

          • Chaotic Entropy@feddit.uk
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            2
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            1 year ago

            You’re welcome for all the commuters that need to be able to get in to London via our abysmal infrastructure to maintain its prominent position.

    • LazerFX@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      That’s because HS2 is a totally flawed, Ill thought out, over budget and badly managed boondoggle - just like everything in the UK rail system since the Beeching cuts in the 60’s. If it was properly run, well thought out - and actually made a significant difference in time (not approximately 15 minutes from Piccadilly to Euston), we’d support it.

      • BlueForest@sopuli.xyz
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        1 year ago

        I agree with all of that, but the thing is that faster journey times shouldn’t be the main selling point of HS2 in the first place; it’ll relieve capacity of the groaningly overused West Coast Mainline, allowing more freight and cheaper short journeys.

        If it’s properly managed.

        Which it won’t be.