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Transrapid ·

CRRC Considers Reactivating the Transrapid Test Facility Emsland

No joke: CRRC is actually examining whether the Transrapid Test Facility Emsland (TVE) can be reused for practical testing of the CRRC 600.

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No joke: CRRC is actually examining whether the Transrapid Test Facility Emsland (TVE) in Lathen, northwestern Germany, can be reused for practical testing of the CRRC 600.

The 31.8 km TVE would be the perfect place, especially since no guideway girders were removed during the dismantling, and the transport of the CRRC 600 vehicles from Qingdao (China) could be carried out under ideal conditions.

Image: CRRC

Long-stator motor windings in Lathen already removed

No guideway girders have been demolished yet, but many guideway components have already been removed. These are mainly the long-stator motor windings, without which there would be no propulsion, as well as microwave link antennas and many other components. It also remains to be checked whether the installed stator packs could still carry a vehicle weighing more than 200 tonnes (with four sections) after a break of almost ten years.

Switch 3 of the TVE defective

In October 2020 I learned from an employee of IABG/INTIS that the hydraulic switch in the southern loop is defective. If the TVE were actually reactivated, the switches, now almost 40 years old, would be replaced anyway, as they are already completely outdated. The manufacturer of new switches could be Hardt Hyperloop in particular, which has already commented officially on this.

A win-win for everyone

CRRC is also planning to work with other European companies. These include Hardt Hyperloop, ThyssenKrupp, and possibly even some well-known companies that gave up on the Transrapid back then.

Don't get your hopes up too soon

Nothing has been decided yet, so it is too early to celebrate. I already have further information (as of March 19, 2021) that I am not allowed to publish. Check magnetbahn.org or our social media channels regularly to stay up to date.

(Own graphic) CRRC 600 on a first-generation hybrid guideway girder (installed in Lathen in 1999)
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