Dismantling of the Transrapid Test Facility Draws Near
The dismantling of the 31.5 km Transrapid Test Facility Emsland is becoming increasingly likely. The operator IABG is currently looking for a dismantling manager who will "push ahead with the dismantling swiftly" and has strong assertiveness.
The dismantling of the 31.5 km Transrapid Test Facility Emsland is becoming increasingly likely. The operator IABG is currently looking for a dismantling manager, who will “push ahead with the dismantling swiftly” and has strong assertiveness.
The Transrapid Test Facility Emsland (TVE) in northwestern Germany is the largest test facility ever built for an electromagnetic levitation train. It operated from 1984 (TR06) to 2011 (TR09), with record speeds of up to 450 km/h achieved.
Despite its closure in 2011, the Transrapid in the Emsland region is still a popular destination for tourists. These are cycling tourists and Transrapid enthusiasts from all over Germany, numbering in the four digits each month.
The dismantling of the TVE is stipulated by contract. From the start, it was designed for a short service life only, to determine the operational readiness of the Transrapid system. Nevertheless, the line is deeply rooted in the history & culture of the towns it passes through.
Complete dismantling of the line would mean the final removal of Transrapid technology from Germany. The Transrapid was developed and tested in Germany for decades, at times standing at the center of German politics. At its peak, the line attracted over 2,000 visitors a day, and many high-ranking international politicians and ministers visited it as well.
