Of course, trains can’t fly over oceans like airplanes. But that doesn’t mean trains can’t run as fast as planes. Fortunately, some trains in this modern world are as fast as planes. Followings are the list of ten fastest trains in the world.
10 Talgo 350, 217 mph, Spain
Patentes Talgo, a Spanish company, developed Talgo 350 (T350). This very high-speed train entered the service with the name RENFE AVE Class 102. Besides, it started its journey on the Madrid-Barcelona and Madrid-Valladolid lines in Spain. The train is also known as Pato as its nose resembles the beak of a duck.
Spain commenced the trial runs of the entirely constructed prototype in 2002. Additionally, the designers designed the T350 train to be optimally aerodynamic to handle air pressure and air currents at high speeds. Its main feature is the high redundancy level in traction between rail and auxiliary systems. Moreover, it has a lightweight, airtight, and pressurized car body to comfortably pass through tunnels and crossings.
- Country: Spain
- Top speed: 217 mph
- Manufacturer: Consortium of Patentes Talgo and Bombardier Transportation
- Train length: 656 ft 2 in
- Open Date: February 2005
9 AGV Italo, 224 mph, Italy
The first train in the AGV Series, Italo AGV, entered into service in April 2012. Officials considered it to be the most modern train in Europe. Besides, this train operates with the highest speed of 186 mph on Italy’s different high-speed lines. However, the AGV can run up to 224 mph. AGV trains consist of a fewer number of bogies per train that reduce the maintenance costs.
We can find more space inside of this high-speed train because it uses permanent-magnet synchronous motors. Additionally, the passengers of AVG Italo trains can travel between Rome and Naples in just an hour. Moreover, the trail follows the European TSI interoperability standard, which offers safety, reliability and environmental protection, availability, health, and technical compatibility.
- Country: Italy
- Top speed: 224 mph
- Operator: Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori
- Manufacturer: Alstom
- Train length: 433 feet 0.85 inch
- Open Date: April 2012
8 Siemens Velaro, 250 mph, Spain
The german-based company, siemens, developed thE world’s fastest high-speed conventional train. Additionally, the Krefeld-Uerdingen factory in Germany manufactured it. These trains’ five variants include Velaro E, Velaro RUS, Velaro e320, Velaro D, and Velaro CRH3. Velaro CRH3 and Velaro E are operational in China and Spain, respectively.
Moreover, the efficiency, sustainability, and passenger comfort and convenience is a major advantage. Velaro RUS, Velaro D, and Eurostar will become operational in Russia, Germany, and the UK and the future. We can find these trains are fully operable in snow and ice. Besides, the driver’s clear visibility in various snow conditions is one of the main features.
- Country – Spain
- Top speed – 250 mph
- Operators: Germany, Spain, China, the UK, Russia
- Builder: Siemens
- Train Length:656 ft to 1,280 feet.
- Open date: 2006
7 Frecciarosa 1000, 250 mph, Italy
Italy designed it with a top speed of 250 mph and a high commercial speed of 220 mph. But it is currently certified for 190 mph, is also known as ETR 400. Bombardier built the ‘Red Arrow’ train in partnership with AnsaldoBreda. Additionally, this advanced model train provides long-distance passenger service on high-speed lines. It features mainly interoperability, safety, and comfort.
The newest high-speed train started its first journey from Milan to Rome on April 25, 2015. It is also a silent train that creates less noise. Moreover, the Frecciarossa 1000 is the world’s first high-speed train to have obtained the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), as it can limit CO2. It also uses the ERTMS / ETCS for controlling the train that eliminates human error.
- Country: Italy
- Top speed: 250 mph
- Operator: Trenitalia
- Manufacturer: AnsaldoBreda and Bombardier Transportation
- Train length: 662.73 feet
- Open Date: April 25, 2015
6 Fuxing Hao CR 400AF/BF, 260 mph, China
The CR400AF train mainly features a streamlined body for low drag and high speed. We can find both sides of its car body as silver-gray background with red lines. So these decorations make this train looking more elegant and powerful. The CR400BF train provides a protruding vitreous head with gentle sides. Additionally, we can find the gold ribbons outlining its pure white background body.
In 2007, China officially introduced the Fuxing Hao CR 400AF/BF high-speed train into service on the Beijing Shanghai high-speed railway line. Besides, the train needs only 4 hours to run from Beijing south to Shanghai Hongqiao. People said The CR 400 AF as ‘Dolphin Blue’ and CR 400 BF as ‘golden phoenix.’
- Country – China
- Top speed- 260 mph
- Manufacturer: CRRC Qingdao Sifang, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, CRRC Tangshan Railway Vehicle
- Operator: China Railway Corporation Kereta Cepat Indonesia, China
- Train length: CR400AF: 685 ft 8 in, CR400BF: 685 ft 11 in
- Open Date: June 2015
5 HEMU-430X, 267 mph, South Korea
HEMU-430X is standing for the High-Speed Electric Multiple Unit 430 km/h experimental. It is an experimental South Korean high-speed train designed for speeds up to 267 mph. But, it achieved 261.846 mph in a test run on March 31, 2013. Moreover, this high speed makes South Korea the world’s fourth country after France, Japan, and China to develop the fastest train running above 260.976 mph.
The newest feature of this train compared to older high-speed trains is mainly distributed traction. The trains’ commercial versions include the EMU-260 and EMU-320. South Korea will deliver these versions to Korail in 2020-2021. Additionally, they unveiled HEMU-430X on May 17, 2012. They also expect it to undergo around 100,000 km of testing up to 2015.
- Country: South Korea
- Top speed: 267 mph
- Manufacturer: Hyundai Rotem
- Operator: Korail
- Train length: 484 feet
- Open Date: May 17, 2012
4 Shanghai Maglev, 268 mph, China
It is a magnetic levitation train that helps people travel from Pudong International Airport right to the city’s heart. Besides, this train’s breakneck speed will impress us and have an exciting first experience in the city. In 2003, Guinness Records enrolled it to be the world’s fastest train in commercial use. Its energy consumption is only half that of buses and a quarter that of airplanes.
The trains don’t touch the railway line, which makes the sound quieter than other trains. This third oldest maglev line came after the British Birmingham Maglev line and German M-Bahn line. Additionally, this train doesn’t touch the railway line. Therefore, the sound makes it quieter than other trains. Like an airplane, it has very modern, clean, and comfortable inside.
- Country: China
- Top speed: 268 mph
- Operator: Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd
- Manufacturer: A joint venture of Siemens and ThyssenKrupp
- System length: 18.02 mi
- Open Date: December 31, 2002
3 Harmony CRH 380A, 302.0 mph, China
China designed the CRH380A to operate at a cruise speed of 217 mph and a maximum speed of 236 mph in commercial service. Its regular service takes place on the route between Shanghai and Nanjing. Additionally, this design reduces aerodynamic pressure. Its vibration-free bodies make a more comfortable passenger experience. It has low-weight aluminum alloy bodies with fish-head fronts.
The CRH 380A trains can carry around 494 passengers at a time. We can find a VIP sightseeing spot near the driver’s cabin that allows travelers to view the running train. Moreover, China also incorporates these trains with advanced noise control technology like new sound-absorbing and insulating materials in its construction.
- Country: China
- Top speed: 302.0 mph
- Operator: China Railway
- Manufacturer: CRRC Qingdao Sifang
- Train length: 666 feet
- Open date: 2010
2 TGV POS, 357.2 mph, France
Alstom built this TGV train for the French national rail company (SNCF) on France’s high-speed rail lines. Besides, the TGV POS links France with southern Germany and Switzerland. In Switzerland, it runs from Basel to Zurich and Vallorbe to the Lausanne line that coming from Paris. Additionally, the POS 4402 train set a new world speed record on April 3, 2007.
Its asynchronous motors help the individual motor’s isolation in a powered bogie in case of failure. Additionally, SNCF numbered it in the 4400 series. These are just faster and more efficient TGVs. Like TGV Duplex, the outside bodywork on the power-cars. Besides, France started the train’s service in 2006. Moreover, France commissioned the first TGV train on Paris to Geneva itinerary in 1981.
- Country- France
- Top speed – 357.2 mph
- Operator – French national rail company SNCF
- Manufacturer: Alstom
- Train length: 657 ft
- Open Date: 2006
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1 L0 Series Maglev, 375 mph, Japan
We can easily distinguish it by its too long nose that is 49 ft in length. This feature helps the L0 Series Maglev to reduce drag, increase speed, and decrease energy consumption. Additionally, L0 Series Maglev holds the land speed record at 375 mph that it achieved on April 21, 2015.
Besides, this train broke a speed record of 361 mph that another Japanese maglev, the MLX01, set in December 2003. This one of the fastest trains will begin its commercial operation in Tokyo and Osaka. This train will also require only 40 minutes to run from Tokyo to Nagoya, covering 178 miles. Moreover, we expected the first section to Nagoya to be ready by 2027.
- Country: Japan
- Top speed: 375 mph
- Operator: JR Central
- Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nippon Sharyo
- Train length: 980.971 feet
- Open Date: November 2012
