Top 10 Fastest High-Speed Trains in the World

Recently, CNBC unveiled the list of the 10 fastest trains, based on the speeds achieved by these remarkable rail systems. The compilation includes speed records achieved during test runs, both for electric and maglev trains, as well as experimental train types.

10. Siemens Velaro RUS (Russia)

In preparation for hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Russia sought foreign investors to bid on contracts for developing high-speed rail connecting its cities.

The fastest high-speed train in Russia currently operates on the route from Moscow to St. Petersburg, inaugurated in December 2009. Constructed by Germany and known as Sapsan, it reduced travel time between the two cities from 8 hours to just 3 hours and 45 minutes. The train, with 10 carriages, currently operates at a maximum speed of 250 km/h, but during test runs in 2009, it reached an impressive speed of 280 km/h.

9. THSR 700T (Taiwan)

Kim Byung-ho, the head of the high-speed rail project in South Korea, once revealed that South Korea's high-speed rail technology can compete with France, Germany, and Japan. The country is capable of both designing and constructing the rail system. Currently, only South Korea, China, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain have the ability to export high-speed rail technology. Although South Korea's high-speed rail technology may not be superior to other developed countries, it has attracted attention from many partners due to its cost-effectiveness.

7. Eurostar 3313/14 (UK)

Launched in 1994, the train named the 'European Star' has transformed travel between Western European countries, connecting the UK with cities in France and Belgium through the Channel Tunnel railway.

With over 100 destinations across Europe, this high-speed rail network marked the service of its 100 millionth passenger in August 2009. The passenger-carrying speed reaches 300 km/h, but in 2003, the Eurostar 3313/3314 set a UK rail record by reaching a speed of 333 km/h.

6. ETR 500 Frecciarossa (Italy)

As one of the pioneers in high-speed train technology in Europe, Italy is the birthplace of the continent's first high-speed train line. The high-speed rail connecting the two cities of Florence and Rome made history when half of the 134.4 km route from Rome to Citta della Pieve was put into operation in 1977, reaching a maximum speed of 257 km/h.

Since then, Italy's high-speed train network has expanded fundamentally, connecting Torino in the northernmost part of the country to Napoli in the southernmost point. The ETR 500 series currently holds the fastest speed record in the country, with ETR 500 Y1 reaching a speed of 362 km/h in 2009 on the Florence – Bologna route.

Earlier this month, over 200 people were injured in a protest against the construction of a 58 km underground tunnel in the Susa Valley, northern Italy. The aim is to reduce the travel time by 3 hours from Paris to Milan by train, currently taking 7 hours. Protesters argue that the railway line will devastate this area and the construction will leave behind hazardous chemicals.

The future of Italy's transportation sector is predicted to be dominated by private high-speed rail lines, making them the first country in Europe to have this service. Since 2011, the Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori company will use trains branded Alstom AVG to compete directly with government-owned train services.

5. AVE Class 103 (Spain)

Spain currently has the longest high-speed rail network in Europe, with 5,524.8 km of rail lines. By 2020, it is expected to have 10,000 km of high-speed rail tracks. Spain's strategic transportation and infrastructure plan has taken a step further by encouraging freight transportation on this rail system.

The fastest-speed train in Spain belongs to the AVE series, manufactured by several companies such as Siemens, Alstom, and Bombardier. Commercially operational since 2007, the AVE Class 103, built by Siemens, reached a record speed of 404 km/h in a test run from Madrid to Zaragoza. However, the maximum speed for commercial trains in Spain is limited to 299 km/h to ensure passenger safety.

Due to the impact of the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis, Portugal plans to halt the construction of a new high-speed rail line to Spain, connecting the cities of Madrid and Lisbon in 2 hours and 45 minutes, instead of the current 9 hours.

4. Transrapid TR-07 (Germany)

Germany is among the few countries leading in high-speed rail technology globally. The country is home to Siemens, the world's largest high-speed train manufacturer. As the developer of the Transrapid system, German companies like Siemens and ThyssenKrupp invented a magnetic levitation train capable of reaching speeds of 500 km/h. In 2004, the Shanghai Maglev in China became the first commercial Transrapid train carrying passengers, reaching a speed of 429.7 km/h.

Although magnetic levitation train technology was developed in Germany, it has never been commercially utilized in the country. The technology faced challenges such as high costs and a 2006 test run accident that claimed 25 lives. Instead, the InterCityExpress (ICE) system has been widely used since 1991. The ICE trains reach a maximum speed of 320 km/h, connecting German cities with Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

The ICE train accident in Eschede village (Germany) in 1998 is considered the world's deadliest high-speed rail accident, claiming 101 lives. The train driver neglected regular wheel maintenance, leading to increasing wear and cracks in the wheels. The growing crack caused the wheel rim to break, derailing the entire train.

3. CRH380AL (China)

China currently boasts the world's longest high-speed rail network with over 9,650 km of operational tracks. By 2020, the Chinese government plans to extend the network to a whopping 12,800 km.

At the end of June, China inaugurated the longest high-speed rail route from Beijing to Shanghai, spanning approximately 1,300 km. To complete this rail line, an amount of concrete double that used in the construction of the Three Gorges Dam was utilized, totaling 60 million cubic meters. The CRH380AL train reaches a speed of 299 km/h, but during testing, it achieved a maximum speed of 486 km/h. Designed with a capacity to transport 80 million passengers annually, this train sets a new standard.

The maglev train system in Shanghai commenced operations in 2004, connecting city centers with an airport 30 km away. This system is also expanding to Hangzhou.

2. TGV V150 (France)

France is surging ahead of the rest of Europe in the race to build the most comprehensive functional high-speed rail network. The Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV) system of France has long been the most renowned brand among high-speed rail systems for its safety, speed, and convenience.

The first TGV train manufactured by Alstom started operating in 1981, connecting Paris and Lyon. Subsequently, the network expanded to 150 destinations between France and neighboring countries. Limited to a speed of 322 km/h, the TGV V150 train previously achieved a record-breaking speed of 574.5 km/h in 2007, ranking as the second-fastest in the world. TGV's high-speed technology has been adopted for many national train services across various European countries, including the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Last month, Alstom signed a preliminary agreement to construct a high-speed rail line in Iraq, connecting Baghdad and Basra.

1. JR-Maglev MLX01 (Japan)

Japan leads the world in high-speed train technology. The country pioneered the modern era of high-speed rail by launching the first train service in 1964.

Marking a breakthrough, the Japanese introduced the first 'bullet train' Tokaido Shinkansen, with a top speed of 209 km/h. This train transported over 100 million passengers in its first 3 years. Today, it still operates on the world's busiest rail network, serving 378,000 passengers daily.

The Japanese government approved a $112.44 billion project to build a maglev train line between Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, with a completion target of 2027 or later. These high-speed trains are expected to reduce the current travel time between Tokyo and Osaka from 2 hours 18 minutes by Shinkansen to just over 1 hour.

Currently, the JR-Maglev MLX01 is undergoing testing and is considered the fastest train in the world, reaching a test speed of 581 km/h in 2003.

As per Dulichvietnam.com

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour