In his ENR Viewpoint article "don't Believe Maglev's Critics" (ENR 8/19 p. 59), Chris Brady of Transrapid International-USA reports that I "erroneously claimed last year that there are no manufacturers of maglev components or spare parts,'" (ENR 2/26/01 p. 99). Brady also reports that he "can definitively state that the Transrapid companies are the only ones in the world that currently provide maglev technology for very high-speed travel." Given this high level of support, I cannot help but stick to my story.
Once Transrapid's Shanghai Airport Shuttle is complete, the firm may yet qualify as a manufacturer of maglev systems and a supplier of spare parts. From the perspective of potential owners, however, Transrapid will qualify if and when they make a little money at the activity. Until then, they remain a high-risk supplier in a marginal market.