Vehicles

Transrapid trains are modern, attractive, spacious, vehicles which adhere to the latest aircraft, railroad, and public transportation standards. Flexible, modular design allows for customer-driven versions, such as suburban, intercity, and cargo/freight trains which all share the same basic components and attributes.

Two Transrapid vehicle styles are available to configure trains: end or middle sections. Although the body design varies according to the end use (passenger, cargo), the undercarriage and all remaining components are identical.

Transrapid trains are made up of two end sections and up to 8 middle sections. Since the Transrapid's motor is in the guideway, the train's performance is influenced neither by its length nor by its payload.

Each end section is fitted with a driver's compartment, vehicle on-board operation control system, and the payload area for passengers, cargo, or freight. Although the Transrapid driver is passive, he is available to monitors all vehicle functions via the operator console and to assist during unscheduled situations. Middle sections are similar in overall composition to end sections but do not have the driver's compartment and on-board OCS equipment.

Vehicle Structure

Each vehicle section consists of two main elements, a maglev undercarriage and a vehicle body . The main elements are independently assembled and equipped and then integrated to form a complete vehicle section.

Contained in the vehicle undercarriage are all of the maglev components, support and guidance magnet modules, primary and secondary suspension systems, on-board battery systems, on-board power supplies, vehicle electronics, and heating/ventilation/air conditioning systems.

Two separate suspension systems are included in the Transrapid vehicles. A primary suspension between the support and guidance magnets and their mounts and a secondary between the levitation chassis and the vehicle body with passenger compartment. The support and guidance magnets are mounted via the primary suspension to independent levitation chassis in each vehicle section. The levitation chassis are individually connected to the vehicle body via the secondary suspension. Suspension movement is required to allow the magnets to adjust to minor differences in the guideway and to smooth out the ride for passengers.

Passenger Vehicles

Transrapid passenger vehicles are designed to meet or exceed the expectations of the modern traveler. Bright spacious interiors, room to move about as well as enjoy the ride, ease of entrance and exit, barrier free access, and amenities appropriate to the train for the next century. The interior design concept addresses a number of objectives important to both the operator and the passenger:

• Modular construction with common components for most interior variations
  

• Flexibility to meet special requirements of the customer
  

• Seating arrangements with or without tables
  

• Passenger information and entertainment systems
  

• Flexible design to accommodate additional functional units (such as toilets, telephones, on-board catering) without major modifications to the structure

Flexible seating arrangements are available to allow first, business, and economy class and handicap seating as desired by the operator.

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Intercity Trains

Transrapid intercity trains are outfitted commensurate with the longer trip times and the business/tourist nature of the patronage. The standard intercity train interior includes overhead luggage racks, storage areas for bulky baggage, on-board toilet facilities, and first (2+2 seating per row) and economy class seating (2+3 seating per row).

The toilet facilities are designed for access by passengers with limited mobility and are the most modern available with closed-circuit fresh and waste water systems, minimum water use flush systems, and ease of cleaning and maintenance.

Suburban Trains

Transrapid suburban trains are outfitted commensurate with the shorter trip times and the commuting/tourist nature of the patronage. Two pairs of wide doors are spaced equi-distant along the length of the section to ease entering/exiting. The standard suburban interior includes overhead luggage racks, bulky baggage storage areas, and robust economy class seating (2+2 with wide aisles or 2+3 seating per row).

Cargo Trains

There are current two versions of cargo/freight trains. Cargo sections are designed to handle standard aircraft shipping containers or pallets. They are capable of transporting up to 17.5 metric tons of high priority or express goods at the same speeds as passenger trains. Cargo sections may be assembled to form dedicated superspeed cargo trains or added to passenger trains to carry baggage or additional goods according to the operator's requirements.