Futuristic ‘Hyperloop’ Train Could Make London-Manchester Journeys In Just 18 Minutes

A futuristic trainline dreamed up by the man behind Tesla could slash UK journey times and is connect cities in the north to the south.

The supersonic rail system, dubbed Hyperloop, is the brainchild of U.S. billionaire Elon Musk and is currently in the early stages of development.

Tests in the Nevada desert have seen speeds reach 116mph, but it is hoped they will one day get as high as 760mph.

Speed of sound - Hyperloop could cut journey times from Manchester to London (Pictures: Hyperloop One)

Hyperloop will use magnetic pods to send passengers in a capsule through a network of airless tubes carried by stilts.

If it came to the UK, the system would make it possible to travel from Manchester to London in just 18 minutes.

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And the system is reportedly now being looked at by transport bosses in the north of England, who could use it to cut commute times between cities like Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield.

It has been reported that bosses from Transport for the North have said they “remain open” to Hyperloop and are looking at its viability.

Future - transport bosses think Hyperloop could be a realistic option

Innovate UK, the government’s innovation body, has also apparently met with the company behind the system, Hyperloop One.

Jeremy Acklam, rail expert at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, told the Manchester Evening News that Hyperloop was a realistic option for the future.