Maglev trains do not have wheels or rails. As shown in Figure 3, they have guideways, and they float down these guideways without ever touching them. Comparison of Wheel-Rail versus Guideways.

Maglev (magnetic levitation) trains do not use wheels for their primary high-speed propulsion or levitation, but many designs actually incorporate wheels for low-speed movement and emergency backups. The core technology relies on powerful electromagnets to lift the train a few inches above the guideway, eliminating friction between the vehicle and the track. However, different systems handle low speeds differently. For example, the Japanese SCMaglev (Superconducting Maglev) uses rubber wheels to support the train as it accelerates from a standstill; once it reaches a speed of about 150 km/h (93 mph), the magnetic force becomes strong enough to lift the train, and the wheels retract like those on an airplane. In contrast, the German-designed Transrapid system (used in Shanghai) remains levitated even when stationary, so it effectively never "rolls" on wheels during normal operation. Even in "wheelless" systems, there are often auxiliary "landing wheels" or guide rollers to prevent damage to the magnets if power is lost or if the train needs to be towed. The absence of traditional wheels at high speeds is what allows these trains to reach incredible velocities exceeding 600 km/h with minimal noise and maintenance.