1. L0 series linear motor car: 600km/h
Currently being developed and tested by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), this Japanese train holds the land speed record for railcars at 600 km/h. It might be tempting to book a ticket to Tokyo, but keep in mind that this train is still being developed for regular commercial use. The first segment (Tokyo to Nagoya) is scheduled to open in 2027 before expanding to Osaka. Once complete, the L0 series will travel at speeds of up to 500 km/h, traveling from Shinagawa Station in Tokyo to Osaka (more than 300 miles) in 1 hour and 7 minutes. Called Maglev (maglev) trains, the L0 series technology actually levitates trains at speeds in excess of 150 km/h. The technology is now being deployed worldwide (see #4), and there is talk of using it on trains between Washington, D.C. Use Baltimore.
The best train journeys across America
2. TGV POS: 357 mph
France has long opted for high-speed rail transport. And in 2007 the TGV POS set a world railcar speed record of an impressive 357 mph before being overtaken by his L0 series in Japan in 2015. The train is operated by the French railway company SNCF and is used on the LGV Est route between Paris in eastern France and southern Germany. In regular service, trains have a maximum speed of 200 miles per hour. It's not 357 mph, but it's still surprisingly fast.
3.CRH380A Hexie: 302 mph
His CRH380A Hexie (aka Harmony) in China, in commercial driving he can cruise at a top speed of 236 mph, but during testing he reached a whopping 302 mph. Even more impressive, this bullet train is just one of four Chinese train series designed to run on the newly built high-speed main line. The CRH380A may be the fastest, but his other three are not to be mocked. Check out the CRH380B, CRH380C, and CRH380D.
4. Shanghai Maglev: 268 mph
Similar to his L0 series in Japan, the Shanghai Maglev (also known as Shanghai Transrapid) is a maglev train operating from Shanghai, China. It ranks fourth on this list thanks to its top speed of 268 mph.
5. Haramein Western Railway: 217 mph
The Mecca-Medina highway stretches 281 miles between Saudi Arabia's holiest cities and was fully completed in 2018. Driving the entire route takes 2.5 hours compared to 5 hours by car. However, speed isn't the only valid reason to build this railroad. The Haramein carries millions of passengers each year, including many pilgrims and Umrah pilgrims, easing traffic congestion. In 2019, Saudi Arabia announced plans to triple the size of its rail network by adding nearly 5,000 miles of new track, but not all will be high-speed lines.
