Scotland-London in only 45 mins... by 700mph train
IT can be a gruelling trip that involves hours of being cooped up in a crowded train carriage, battling through traffic or waiting in airport security queues.
But the journey time between Scotland and London could be cut to less than an hour – thanks to a ‘revolutionary’ transport system capable of firing passengers down steel tubes at almost 700mph.
Sir Richard Branson has invested in a hyperloop firm which he claims will transport passengers in only 45 minutes.
The billionaire’s Virgin Group has formed a partnership with Los Angeles firm Hyperloop One, which is developing a method of propelling passengers and freight in pods through tubes at high speed.
The system involves passenger pods floating above magnetic tracks, enabling them to glide ‘at airline speeds for long distances due to ultra-low aerodynamic drag’.
Virgin described it as ‘the world’s most revolutionary train service’.
The company will be rebranded as Virgin Hyperloop One.
The transport system would require significant infrastructure to be built, which would see it ‘built on columns or tunnelled below ground’.
But the company believes the hyperloop will achieve speeds of up to 670mph and aims to have ‘operational systems’ ready by 2021.
Sir Richard said: ‘After visiting Hyperloop One’s test site in Nevada and meeting its leadership team this summer, I am convinced this groundbreaking technology will change transportation as we know it and dramatically cut journey times.
‘Virgin has been known for investing in and creating innovative companies over the years, and I look forward to making history together as we bring Hyperloop to the world as Virgin Hyperloop One.’
Sir Richard, who is also developing a commercial space travel service through his firm Virgin Galactic, added: ‘Virgin Hyperloop will be able to transport people from London to Scotland in 45 minutes.
‘I have a funny feeling that I’ll get a lot of satisfaction from people saying it’s transformed their lives.’
The system would be an ‘on demand’ service capable of leaving at any time, rather than being limited to a strict schedule.
The company also promises the experience would be no different than sitting in a plane, despite its speed.
Trains between London and Edinburgh take around four hours and 20 minutes.
Flights last one hour and 20 minutes, not counting check-in, passing through security and time spent travelling to and from the airport at either end.
Driving to London from Glasgow and back involves a 14-hour round trip of around 800 miles – assuming the roads are clear.
Hyperloop One is in the early stages of making the technology commercially viable after completing a full-scale test in Nevada.
The idea was first suggested by Tesla boss Elon Musk in August 2013. He is not associated with Hyperloop One but has urged firms to develop the technology.