Imagine gliding through the air at 30 feet above the ground and at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour. China’s Red Rail system has made this a reality! Here are six interesting facts to know about the world’s first suspended train system.

1. China’s Red Rail is the world’s first suspended maglev or magnetic levitation train that uses permanent magnets which allows it to float through the air untethered. It glides through the air without touching the rack above it or anything below.

2. Traditional maglev train systems use electromagnets which require electric current to get things moving. The Red Rail is entirely different because it uses permanent magnets that contain rare earth metals, of which China is the world’s biggest supplier. The use of permanent magnets allows it to run without electricity.

3. More so, it has the potential to save energy and be more environmentally friendly than other modes of transportation.

4. In its experimental phase, the track is 800 meters long, or roughly 2,620 feet, and is suspended at 33 feet above the ground. The Red Rail is expected to go through more test runs after construction is complete.

5. It has two coaches that can carry a total of 88 passengers per trip and it glides through the air without making contact with the track above it.

6. After test runs are completed, the plan is for the track to be extended to 7.5 kilometers or almost 4.7 miles. The Red Rail is located in Xinggua County, Jiangxi Province, which is in Southern China.

Can we replicate the same feat in Africa? Let us know your thoughts.