The Birmingham Maglev, opened in 1984, was the first commercial maglev transport system in the world, built to link Birmingham Airport with Birmingham International railway station and the National Exhibition Centre. In 1981 West Midlands County Council awarded contracts to a consortium of GEC, Balfour Beatty, Brush Electrical Machines and Metro-Cammell under the name People Mover Group, along with John Laing, and Metro-Cammell performed the bulk of the manufacturing of the carriages at its Washwood Heath plant. Fully automated twin-carriage trains ran on independent tracks, propelled and braked by linear induction motors beneath the carriages, taking about 90 seconds for a one-way trip at up to 40 mph (64 km/h). It opened on 16 August 1984, four months late, and was discontinued in 1995 for lack of spare parts.
Facts
Engine Class Connections
Exemplifies
Of Make
Source Air-Rail Link (Wikipedia)
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Manufactured By
Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.
Source Air-Rail Link (Wikipedia)BuilderQuote, Builder
Metro-Cammell performed the bulk of the manufacturing of the carriages at its Washwood Heath plant.
Originated In
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Source Air-Rail Link (Wikipedia)Place of build or useQuote, Place of build or use
the National Exhibition Centre in England
Sources
1. Air-Rail Link (Wikipedia)
Lead, year
On 16 August 1984, the system was officially opened
Status
It was discontinued in 1995 due to a lack of spare parts and obsolescence issues
Traction equipment
Propulsion and braking were performed using linear induction motors
Builder
Metro-Cammell performed the bulk of the manufacturing of the carriages at its Washwood Heath plant.
Place of build or use
the National Exhibition Centre in England
Exemplifies: Maglev, Lead, mode
On 16 August 1984, the system was officially opened
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