Our plea to pass the German maglev knowledge to the youth for the future. Speech held in German language during the Maglev meeting in Germany on 24 May 2014.
With the completion of the test phase, more than 20 years of after acquiring commercial readiness, the implementation phase should finally press on. Because the benefits of the successful development of maglev, considered world-wide as a first-class achievement, should ultimately come to the people.
Speech: The loss of the crown juwel named Transrapid
Dear maglev friends,
Now the test track in Lathen is closed. If the Society for the Promotion of maglev (Transrapid) eV also stops, then the Transrapid almost becomes another history. A story full of obstacles, ignorance and short-sightedness of the decision makers and an organization that was not able to sell the Transrapid to the German people.
Thise facts annoy us of Freedom of Mobility Foundation very much, and we observe these developments of Transrapid with great disbelief. Especially since Germany has a crown jewel with the magnet train that can prove its usefulness for Germany, the Netherlands and the rest of Europe, even the world.
One of the strong arguments against the Maglev train was that it was too expensive. But if a project will cost a lot of money, that does not mean that it is too expensive. You can not tell so without looking at what you gain!
When we look at the plans of the Munich station to airport line, we notice a few things:
• The line would appear an isolated line with only one start and end point.
• Other systems such as the ICE-high speed train and Intercity trains would remain unchanged.
• The roads would remain unchanged.
In other words, one adds a modality of which it is questionable what the added value would be in addition to all of the existing range of transport. With such a presentation anyone could say that it is too expensive.
However, if the plans were presented differently, it could have worked out in favor of the Maglev train and Germany. This is the argument of the vision of the Freedom of Mobility Foundation. We at Foundation Freedom of Mobility would like to introduce the Transrapid in Netherlands. For the Netherlands, the Foundation proposes a network of 9 Maglev lines that intereconnects all intercity train stations and airports with each other.
If we from Foundation of Freedom of Mobility look at the plans of the Munich Transrapid , we also do not find them strong. But that does not mean the Maglev train should not be built. On the contrary, the line should already have been in operation.
But only with the line being a starting point of a larger plan. As part of a network that connects all intercity train stations and airports in Germany and Europe. The Transrapid would replace the ICE, InterCity, domestic air transport and finally the car for long distance travel. So it would not just be an additional modality, but a replacement/enhancement of the existing modalities.
Germany also has to come up with solutions for the same problems as the Netherlands. The fuel and resource problems, congestion, pollution, health, 9 billion people on the spaceship Earth. Ever more people in emerging markets want prosperity and the shrinking of the number of people in Europe will put a further burden on our welfare and prosperity. In addition, Germany has a focus point for the infrastructure of railways and highways which require major maintenance to remain competitive.
The above problems will affect the welfare and prosperity in Germany. One problem is the mode of transportation. The identity of Germany is determined by a very strong automotive industry and the highways. Because of these problems, the automotive industry in Germany, and also in other parts of the world will become under pressure. The car will become much more expensive for many people. The intelligent car or electric car will not be able to solve the aforementioned problems. This means that Germany will have to accept moving beyond the car.
Fortunately, Germany not only has knowledge on cars, but is one of the few countries in this world to have mastered maglev technology.
The railways can solve the aforementioned problems, as they allow more people to travel over short and long distances using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy and with fewer raw materials. A small car and bicycle, can then be used for the short distances for door-to-door transport.
Of course, Germany can opt for the French system of high speed trains, but these trains need their own infrastructure to run 300 km / h. To date, in Germany this still is only possible between Cologne and Frankfurt and Nuremberg-Ingolstadt.
If Germany is to improve its infrastructure anyway, then do it right the first time! By continiously tackling your own maglev train, you have ensured that France is ahead in a match against Germany with 10 to 1.
That France leads with its high-speed trains and was able to profilate themselves in Europe and the rest of the world is not because France was so particulairy good. No, it’s because Germany always shoots into his own goal by attacking its own Maglev train. Too bad, because these Maglev trains are far superior to conventional intercity and high-speed trains.
The construction of the maglev line from Munich Central Station to the airport, could have served as an example for the Netherlands, Europe and the world. Because the world urgently needs maglev trains. Germany can benefit a lot from this knowledge. Not only financially, but also in improving our life on spaceship Earth.