Shanghai Maglev, China
Shanghai is home to the world’s first commercial maglev train, the Shanghai Maglev (SMT) or Shanghai Transrapid. Utilising German Transrapid technology, this magnetic levitation train connects Shanghai Pudong International Airport with Longyang Road station in Pudong district.
The 30 km journey takes just 8 minutes and 10 seconds, with the train reaching speeds up to 300 kmph. It previously held the record for the fastest commercial train service with a top speed of 431 kmph.
CR Harmony & CR Fuxing, China
Developed by China Railway Corporation, the CR Harmony and CR Fuxing high-speed trains are notable for their performance. The Harmony train operates at speeds of up to 350 kmph and has achieved testing speeds of 486.1 kmph. The Fuxing also operates at 350 kmph, with test speeds reaching up to 420 kmph.
Siemens Velaro E/AVs 103, Spain
The Siemens Velaro E/AVs 103 set a world speed record of 403.7 kmph during a 2006 test run on the Madrid-Barcelona line. It operates at a normal speed of 350 kmph and is capable of handling snow and ice, though it must slow down to around 160 kmph in severe snowy conditions.
TGV POS, France
The TGV POS, operated by SNCF, was designed for France’s high-speed rail lines, especially the LGV Est, connecting Paris to the German border. This train reaches a top speed of 320 kmph and can accelerate from 0 to 320 kmph in just 5 minutes and 20 seconds.
CRH380A Hexie, China
The CRH380A Hexie, developed by CSR Corporation Limited, operates at a cruising speed of 350 kmph and a maximum speed of 380 kmph in commercial service. In testing, it reached speeds of 416.6 kmph with the original eight-car set and 486.1 kmph with the 16-car version.
HEMU-430X, South Korea
The HEMU-430X is South Korea’s high-speed train capable of reaching 430 kmph. It is the fourth train globally to achieve speeds above 420 kmph, following similar achievements in France, Japan, and China.
Frecciarossa, Italy
Frecciarossa, operated by Trenitalia, is a high-speed train service in Italy. It operates at a maximum speed of 300 kmph, covering major cities including Turin, Milan, Rome, Naples, and Venice.
Shinkansen H5 & E5, Japan
The Shinkansen H5 and E5 series, built by Hitachi Rail and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, serve the Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen lines. Both series can reach a maximum speed of 320 kmph and feature an electric active suspension system.
Deutsche Bahn ICE, Germany
Germany’s InterCity Express (ICE) connects major cities across Germany and parts of Central and Western Europe. ICE trains travel at speeds over 300 kmph on high-speed lines and up to 230 kmph on upgraded conventional tracks.
Also read: Top 5 luxurious trains in India
