Soaring Through the Skies: Wuhan's Guanggu Photon Sky Rail Train

Science Express April 27, 2023

A train speeds past overhead, hanging upside down from the track as if it's flying or floating in the air, instantly inspiring awe from onlookers. This is what you can expect to see these days in Wuhan, central China.

One of the exterior designs for the sky train.

The sky train, dubbed Guanggu Photon, is a suspended monorail that uses steel structure columns to support its track in the air. The train body is suspended under the track beam and can "fly" in the air, which is why it is called an "air train." The sky rail train has several advantages over traditional transportation methods. It does not occupy ground road rights, has low costs, a short construction period, strong environmental adaptability, safety and environmental protection, and good landscape effects. It is a new type of rail transit vehicle that combines commuting and sightseeing functions.