In the ’70s, the UK tried to build a train that hovered. It was fast. It looked like something from science fiction. And it actually worked — at least for a ...
According to the Wikipedia page the train did use ducted fans to hover. The big benefit there is the tracks are extraordinarily cheap, it’s just some concrete poured into a rough shape.
True, maglev requires more specialised tracks. Still, a whole new infrastructure - instead they ended up building a train that can swing to better adapt to their sometimes Victorian tracks.
According to the Wikipedia page the train did use ducted fans to hover. The big benefit there is the tracks are extraordinarily cheap, it’s just some concrete poured into a rough shape.
True, maglev requires more specialised tracks. Still, a whole new infrastructure - instead they ended up building a train that can swing to better adapt to their sometimes Victorian tracks.