Shanghai has been operating Maglev line for more than 6 years, see [1] and [2]. The top speed is 431km/h and 268 mph. The Japanese line will have much higher ca

Shanghai has been operating Maglev line for more than 6 years, see [1] and [2]. The top speed is 431km/h and 268 mph. The Japanese line will have much higher capacity as the Shanghai one is not full production design, but I don't think it has material advantage. The real challenge is economics and noise, and China decided to go with conventional high speed railway system. Even HSR was designed for 350km/h, it is actually operated at 270-300 km/h to reduce operating cost. 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Maglev_Train http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Maglev_Train 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-54gBLwK3s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-54gBLwK3s