2-879-089 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

Birmingham Airport, Birmingham Maglev, Elmdon, Birmingham, Bickenhill, Solihull, 15/08/1983. Workmen inspecting a new Maglev car on the new Maglev system at Birmingham Airport near the end of its construction, with Birmingham International railway station beyond. The Maglev system at Birmingham Airport was the first commercial Maglev system in the world. It used frictionless magnetic suspension to drive passenger cars along an elevated guideway between the airport terminal and Birmingham International railway station. Three cars were installed, and each could transport up to 32 passengers and their luggage along the 620 metres of track in 1 minute 30 seconds. The Birmingham Maglev was opened in 1984.