Japan to Market Linear Motor Train to USA

US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx currently on visit of Japan was invited by Minister Ishii of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation for a 25-minute test ride at the Maglev (magnetic levitation) Test Center, November 8.

The maglev train, otherwise known as linear motor train, is a super commodity Japan is trying to market in the United States. JR Tokai is currently promoting a plan to link the 60 kilometers from Washington DC to Baltimore with a linear train. To back it up, the Japanese government is proposing to the US government to offer free of charge the linear technology.

After the test ride, Transportation Secretary Foxx commented:

"We have budgeted $27.8 million for a study to lay a linear railroad transportation between Washington DC and Baltimore. I am anxious for its progress".

Transport Secretary Foxx was much impressed with the train's acceleration and deceleration, Minister Ishii said, adding "how quiet it was inside the coach at such a speed". The minister expressed his hope to realize the project as a symbol of amiable relations between Japan and US.

Traffic congestion between Washington DC to Baltimore and further to New York is chronically heavy and many business commuters depend on railways. Japan's offer of a linear railway to link these cities is a powerful option to solve the chronic traffic congestion.

Earlier in April, Prime Minister Abe invited US Ambassador Kennedy for a linear train ride to do his share of marketing effort.

Hopefully, JR Tokai offers to initially link Washington DC and Baltimore in 20 minutes and extend the way on to New York. The stumbling block is cost. Linear train network requires railroad lines of its own and the overall building cost should aggregate an enormous sum.

The US government is yet to give the green light for construction to begin.