Some facts
- The Shanghai Maglev in China is the fastest commercially operating train in the world, reaching a top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph) on its airport-to-city route.
- Japan’s L0 Series Maglev holds the absolute world record for the fastest manned rail vehicle, achieving 603 km/h (375 mph) during tests in 2015.
- China’s new CR450 bullet train hit 453 km/h (281 mph) in pre-service trials in 2025, with plans for commercial operation at 400 km/h starting around 2026.
- The CR400 Fuxing series, China’s current flagship high-speed train, operates regularly at 350 km/h (217 mph), connecting major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
- Japan’s conventional Shinkansen bullet trains, such as the E5 series, run at operational speeds up to 320 km/h (199 mph) with remarkable punctuality and safety.
- France’s TGV trains operate at 320 km/h (199 mph) in regular service and once set a wheeled-rail record of 574.8 km/h (357 mph) in 2007.
- Maglev trains like the Shanghai and Japan’s L0 use magnetic levitation to “float” above the tracks, eliminating friction for smoother and faster rides.
- Two CR450 trains passed each other at a combined relative speed of 896 km/h (557 mph) during testing, showcasing extreme engineering precision.
- China’s high-speed rail network is the world’s largest, with trains like the Fuxing reducing travel time between Beijing and Shanghai to about 4.5 hours over 1,300 km.
- Upcoming maglev projects in China aim for even higher speeds, with experimental tests already exceeding 650 km/h (404 mph) in controlled conditions.
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