The era of magnetic levitation trains seemed to be a thing of the past after the German Transrapid stopped its test runs, and its successor, the Shanghai maglev, remained an isolated project. Although, there are a number of prototypes developed in China which so far have never exceeded the test phase, a new project is attracting attention: the Transport System Boegl Cargo (TSB). As part of the ITS World Congress, a test track has been set up in the port of Hamburg in order to demonstrate the system’s abilities to interested parties.
The yellow 40-foot container moves back and forth almost silently on the test track, guided, as if by magic, on an unmanned conveying system. A second, identical-looking, steel box follows, which is moved onto a neighboring track following a change in the track's position. This is how it will continue all day long until mid-November, says Design Engineer, Dominik Sippl from Boegl. The reason for doing this: With the presentation, the manufacturer intends to attract attention and prove that its TSB system has reached a high maturity level, making it a candidate for practical implementation. It operates fully automated, and is designed to transport up to 180 containers per hour at a maximum speed of 150 km/h. The frequency of movements may amount to as little as 20 seconds, depending on demand and requirements. It enables short circle times and efficient handling of goods. It proves its strength especially when it comes to transporting and distributing containers as efficiently as possible between ports and distribution centers in neighboring regions, thereby helping to relieve traffic congestion, speed up flows, and reduce delivery times.

Cost advantages…
Containers are placed on a transportation pod powered by magnetic levitation, which glides from A to B on a guideway. These can be installed on ground-level, in tunnels, or elevated on columns
built above highways or parallel to rail tracks, depending on local conditions. The guideway structure consists of elements that fit into 40-foot containers and can be railed or shipped wherever
needed. They are prefabricated, which reduces costs and speeds up processes. Compared to Transrapid or the Shanghai maglev, constructing TSB guideways costs 70% less, experts maintain. Actually,
the construction of the roadways is the core competence of Max Boegl, and the company’s TSG solution is only a by-product.
… coupled with environmental enhancements
Compared to Diesel powered trucks, TSB Cargo’s energy consumption is 60% lower, the manufacturer holds. Therefore, the company speaks of a low-emission and sustainable transport solution that
fits well into an existing infrastructure. Boegl refers to forecasts predicting a steady increase of shipments, making the seamless inflow and outflow of goods moving between ports and the
hinterlands an increasing challenge should the existing transport options not be relieved by new systems.
At present, the company is looking for a core customer for freight transports over longer distances. While it has a 3.5 km demonstration line in operation with a local partner in Chengdu, China,
this was not built for freight, but for the internal transport of employees within the area utilized by the company. Therefore, Boegl needs a flagship project to showcase its magnetic
levitation-based TSB Cargo solution to the world.
Heiner Siegmund
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Edward Barnett (Thursday, 30 December 2021 02:38)
Hi
Although I am impressed with your maglev idea perhaps it could be incorporated into my proposal for a Sydney to Melbourne 700 kph Japanese maglev that would carry ISO carriages through the day with a reduced fare by using overnight container trains earning up to A$20,000,000 per night.
Regards Eddy
Heiner Siegmund (Thursday, 30 December 2021 14:44)
Dear Eddy
Thanks for reaching out to us regarding the maglev concept presented by Boegl at the Hamburg-held Mobility event.
To discuss specs it would be best to get in touch with them directly:
Dominik Sippl - dsippl@max-boegl.de or Bernhard Immken - bimmken@max-boegl.de.
Boegl offers both solutions: pax maglevs and cargo maglevs.
Good fortune and all the best for 2022, cheers, H
Cyro Laurenza (Wednesday, 16 August 2023 21:19)
Dear Heiner Sigmund
Thanks for the great report.on this revolutionary Solution.
I just have one question, If you could help me.
Regarding climbing habilities,,is TSB able to overcome slopes between 6% and 10%?
Heiner Siegmund (Thursday, 17 August 2023 14:34)
Dear Cyro
Thank you for your interest. According to Boegl Engineer Stefan Friess, their TSB system is capable of overcoming gradients of max 10%.
Hope this information helps. Best, H