Maglev train

Maglev trains (magnetically levitated trains) are a form of rail transportation on Human colony worlds. Vehicles are capable of high speeds and were very common sights throughout the 26th century.

They are found in and around major population centers where such transportation is practical. Maglev trains consist of high speed trains traveling along electrified, magnetized tracks that are elevated and run throughout cities and colonies. The trains call at numerous stations throughout the network, allowing the loading and unloading of goods and allowing passengers to board and alight from the train.

Some trains, however, are equipped to haul freight, not people, and thus some maglev networks are built in low population areas, allowing for quick transportation to and from various destinations.

Known maglev rail networks
Such a system existed in New Mombasa, Earth, with a maglev system under the jurisdiction of the Mombasa Transit Authority providing transportation throughout the area. This system was one of the first targets of the Covenant forces when they attacked Earth in 2552.

Another maglev system existed around the Chicago Greater Industrial Zone, this system used the same elevated tracks once occupied by older, less advanced trains of Chicago's old elevated railway.

Outer Colony world Tribute in the Epsilon Eridani System had a maglev rail system around the entire planet and centered around main population center Casbah. This system formed a core part of the colony's transportation grid. During Operation: TREBUCHET, UNSC Marines had to place ARGUS bomb-sniffing devices around the stations around the planet to insure that Insurrectionists did not try to sabotage the network.

Outer Colony world Harvest in the Epsilon Indi System also has a maglev system around the entire planet, centered on its major population center of Utgard. However, unlike most other rail networks, Harvest's trains were used exclusively to transport freight, not passengers. Harvest had seven main train lines, which led to the seven Space Elevators on the planet that connected to the Tiara. The trains carried crops and equipment from the outlying areas to the elevators, where they could be loaded into freighters and sent to other colony worlds.

Trivia

 * Maglev trains in Terminal are instant death vehicles if a player is caught on its track, regardless of shield strength, or being in a vehicle.
 * A UNSC ATV, the Sperry FCMMagLEV, used a maglev locomotive as its drivetrain, which was vulnerable on the battlefield.