Takara Tomy's maglev replica is world's fastest toy train

The Japanese toy maker sets the bar high with its latest train set.

Modeled after Central Japan Railway's L0 superconducting maglev train, the Linear Liner from Takara Tomy uses an original magnetic propulsion system that allows it to run 6 to 7kph. This translates into more than 500kph according to scale speed.

Initial research in 2013 showed that replicating an electrified track for the toy train would bring up the price significantly so Tamara Tomy chose a less-expensive nonelectrified track. Guide rollers placed horizontally on each of the train cars maintain the magnetic levitation height of 2mm. A switchable high speed electromagnet that applied repulsion at intervals was added to make the train move. Several trials showed several critical factors affected speed. These are the angle of the magnetic sensor, wire length and the 4cm spacing of the magnets.

Takara Tomy debuted the prototype at the Tokyo Toy Show in June 2014, and the preproduction model at show's 2015 edition. The Linear Liner went on sale last September 2015, with a Japanese website retailing it for $548.

Volume buyers, meanwhile, have several maglev train replica options on GlobalSources.com. One such product is solar-powered, consisting of 18 snap-on parts, including two interlocking cars.

A superconductor maglev train experiment from another supplier has been used by several universities and senior high schools in China to teach magnetic flux pinning effect.

See a comparison table of train set suppliers on GlobalSources.com