Review of the application and progress in the linear motor for the urban rail and trunk-rail was presented. According to the motor type

topology

power supply and vehicle characteristics

the linear induction motor

conductive linear synchronous motor

superconductivity linear synchronous motor and permanent magnet linear synchronous motor

which are applied in the wheel-rail vehicle

medium and low speed maglev

monorail

and high-speed maglev

were discussed in detail. Under the rail transport conditions of different speed degree and support mode of car body

the key technology such as the laying way of the primary and secondary along the rail

the influence of the normal force on the suspension or wheel-rail relationship

cooling type and control strategy of the linear motor were presented.