4 ms·

Because the drag from normal air pressure would waste a significant amount of energy.

• pstuart 10y ago
  I recognize there's a penalty there, but it also translates into a zero cost for creating/maintaining a vacuum, and the thrust could be used for levitation as well. It just seems like if it was done this way it would be so much simpler and therefore cheaper to build.
  • Someone 10y ago
    If you do that, you can also leave out the tube to make it even simpler and cheaper. My guess would be that it would be more energy efficient, too, as it gives the air more room to 'escape' from the front of the train. Only problem is that it would turn the idea into 'just another maglev train'.