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A sketch of the Hyperloop. Tesla Motors
Hyperloop

A test track for an 800mph train is being built

It may be able to outrun The Flash.

THE HYPERLOOP IS coming.

Hyperloop Technologies, an LA-based start-up, announced Tuesday that is planning to begin early phase testing in the city of North Las Vegas, Nevada on a 50 acre site.

The testing will entail the company building a half-mile track for its Propulsion Open Air Test, which means sending its electrical motors down the track at some 300-miles per hour.

When fully functional, the train is envisioned to reach speeds of 800mph.

The company posted a video on Tuesday that gives us some idea how the propulsion open air testing system will work. The test track in Nevada will be open and not enclosed and will be shorter than the proposed full scale system.

Hardware for the Hyperloop track will begin arriving to the site this month and the start-up plans to begin testing during the first quarter of 2016.

HLoop

The company, though, is still looking for a location to build a 2-mile test track for its full scale prototype system.

“This decision represents another major milestone in our journey to bring Hyperloop to commercial reality,” said Rob Lloyd, CEO, Hyperloop Technologies in a press release.

“Hyperloop Technologies will invest first in regions where we receive government advocacy to move fast.”

The test site will be at located at the Mountain View Industrial Park in the Apex Industrial Park, which is also a site where the car start-up Faraday Future is considering building its $1 billion factory. 

Hyperloop Technologies recently posted a picture of the tubes it plans to use for its full-length test track. However, since the tests in Nevada will be open air, these are not likely to be used.

Hyperloop Technologies is not the only company gearing up to begin testing.

Another California-based start-up Hyperloop Transportation Technologies also plans to begin building a five miles test track in Quay Valley, California during the next few months.

Read: The Dublin Port Tunnel was likened to this futuristic transport idea

Read: Jetpacks, plane cars and the Metro – why are we still on the bus?

Published with permission from
Business Insider
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