New Hyperloop, without Hyper

[Haenk]

https://www.ironlev.com/transport

Magnetic levitation, using standard rails.

What could go wrong, at (planned) speeds of 200km/h and almost no derailing safety.
Plus: Moving anything of weight will require *massive* magnets.

My verdict: Another, soon-to-fail, investor cash grab.

[SiliconWizard]

Japan is working on that for good: https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/maglev-bullet-train

The dodgy part is "using standard rails", I didn't bother checking out in details the project you linked to, I just saw they are selling small kits to play with (see store). Could be a fun toy for next christmas, if they are still around by then.

[wraper]

https://www.ironlev.com/transport

Magnetic levitation, using standard rails.

What could go wrong, at (planned) speeds of 200km/h and almost no derailing safety.
Plus: Moving anything of weight will require *massive* magnets.

My verdict: Another, soon-to-fail, investor cash grab.

Unless they faked the video, it works. They claim that pod weights 1 tonne and they already tested it on existing railway tracks at 70km/h. 200km/h is not final goal but rather next prototype.

[wraper]

Looks like their kits are available for at least 3 years. Video from May 22, 2021.

[JPortici]

https://www.ironlev.com/transport

Magnetic levitation, using standard rails.

What could go wrong, at (planned) speeds of 200km/h and almost no derailing safety.
Plus: Moving anything of weight will require *massive* magnets.

My verdict: Another, soon-to-fail, investor cash grab.

They are based not far from my place. It seems they made an actual test on an actual rail line a few days ago
I asked a friend that works in the railway industry if he knew anything but i have yet to hear back from him
I'm also skeptical, "what could possibly go wrong" indeed

[pcprogrammer]

I can't connect to the ironlev website for some reason, but found a video on another site where the prototype is tested. It mentions that it uses permanent magnets, so Haenk is right to say "massive" magnets.

I wonder what they are using as a power supply, because on the test track there is no overhead electricity available.

It is an interesting idea though, but keeping 20+ tonnes on the track at high speeds with just magnets might be a stretch. Testing on a straight track won't be enough to prove the concept.

Edit: found another video but it is in Italian. It does show the setup, with rollers to keep it in the track. That will give some friction and the length of one support might be a bit much for when the track turns. Don't know the smallest radius existing tracks have.

[Gyro]

It looks as if it could be quite hard on the contact surfaces of the rollers - lots of skidding as they make contact and have to spin up.

[pcprogrammer]

We are the post wheel

is what they state on their website 

What are those round things pushing against the rails I wonder. Ah they must be training wheels. 

[Roehrenonkel]

Hi,
 
reminds me of the "Platine Verdier" (http://www.jcverdier.com/ADSL/platineV.html).
A real nice (and hudge) turntable with magnetic bearing.
With the drive-beld removed one can spin up the 30kg (??) platter
and half an hour it's still spinning with nearly the same speed. :-)

The Ironlev-demo looks good.
But: Dont get the rails magnetised over time?
What happens at bends and junctions?
Is there a backup-wheel?
Where do all the magnets come from?

Best regards

[Ranayna]

Is it even worth it for high speed trains to get rid of the wheels?
Wheel friction should only be a small fraction of the system losses at high speeds if i am not mistaken. Wind resistance plays a large role here, which was essentially the point of hyperloop.

This might be different for slower moving trains, i do not know what a reasonanle cutoff would be.