Watch: Hyperloop Test Brings 30 Minute LA to San Francisco Train Closer to Reality

LOS ANGELES, CA - A Los Angeles-based company working to make a 30-minute trip between the Southland and San Francisco a reality by using a so- called "hyperloop" took a major step forward today when it used a prototype motor to propel a train car at 300 mph along a stretch of track in North Las Vegas.

Hyperloop One -- previously known as Hyperloop Technologies -- ran the test to demonstrate the capability of its linear electric motor, which is a key component of the high-speed transportation system originally envisioned by Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

The concept would put passengers in pods that travel in a vacuum tube at speeds of nearly 800 mph. In addition to transporting people at high speeds, the system is also envisioned as a way to more efficiently move goods to and from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and at seaports around the world.

Although Musk initially proposed the idea and his companies performed some early engineering work, Musk described it an "open-source" concept, and invited others to jump on the idea and develop it.

A series of companies have been working on hyperloop projects.

In conjunction with today's test, Hyperloop One, which has a design facility in downtown Los Angeles along with its test site in North Las Vegas, announced a series of financing agreements and partnerships with a series of companies around the globe.

"Hyperloop One has built a powerful global ecosystem of companies that are definitive experts in their fields and now come together to unlock the true impact of Hyperloop," said Rob Lloyd, CEO of Hyperloop One. "Along with our partners, we will create new projects and opportunities to solve transportation challenges around the world through the technology, services and expertise we jointly represent. The time is right to bring new thinking to old problems and harness new technologies and services to make a quantum leap in transportation."

Company officials also announced that they are studying hyperloop projects in Finland, Sweden, Stockholm and Switzerland. It is also working with a cargo company to explore the movement of goods from the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex.

The company also announced the Hyperloop One Global Challenge -- billed as a chance "for individuals, companies and governments to develop competitive proposals for using the first Hyperloop One solutions on transport corridors in their regions."

City News Service