Today, the train is one of the most popular land-based modes of transport in the world. However, many of us consider traveling by train as not very comfortable and long. Maybe we just need to choose the “right” train? We present our list of the ten fastest trains in the world.
10. THSR 700T – 335,5 km/h
THSR 700T – a high-speed train, intended to serve the Taiwan railway system. Train THSR 700T is designed by the Japanese company Kawasaki Heavy Industries, together with Nippon Sharyo, and Hitachi. Record speed of the train is 335.5 km/h (208 miles per hour), but usually it runs at a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 miles per hour). It was placed in operation on 5th of January, in 2007.
9. ETR 500 – 300 km/h
ETR 500 (Elettro Treno Rapido 500) – a series of high-speed trains, constructed in Italy. The first ETR 500 was developed under the auspices of the state company Ferrovie dello Stato, but now it is owned by the main railway company of Italy – Trenitalia. It was first placed in operation in 1993. A first prototype of this train called «ETR 500-X», nicknamed “Remo” was constructed in far 1988.
The first train in the AGV series, is currently the fastest operating train in Italy likewise ninth fastest train in the world.
8. SNCF TGV Reseau – 320 km/h
TGV Reseau is a high-speed railway train, made by the French company Alstom on the basis of train TGV Atlantique. Therefore it was placed in operation in 1993. In short, power of the train – 11 800 h. p. Above all, the maximum speed is 320 km/h.
7. Train Eurostar – 334,7 km/h
Eurostar is also known as British Rail Class 373 – high-speed train that connects London, Paris and Brussels. The train is simultaneously able to carry up to 750 passengers and serves the same name high-speed main road, passing through the tunnel under the English Channel. The fixed record speed of the train was 334.7 km/h, while the maximum is 300 km/h (186 miles/h).
6. HSL 1 – 300 km/h
HSL 1 is a railway high-speed train plying between the cities of Brussels and Paris. Thanks to speed which train HSL 1 is capable to develop. Therefore the time required to overcome the distance between these cities, was essentially reduced and makes only 1 hour of 22 minutes. The train was started for the first time on December, 14th, 1997.
5. KTX-Sancheon – 352.4 km/h
KTX 2, but the certified name of the KTX-Sancheon is a high-speed railway train constructed in South Korea by company Hyundai Rotem. Record speed of train KTX-Sancheon is 352.4 km/h (218 miles per hour), but for security reasons the maximum speed at which the train is moving, has been reduced to 305 km/h (190 miles per hour). It is also exploited in Ukraine, but continually breaks near Poltava.
4. AVE-350 Talgo – 365 km/h
AVE-350 – high-speed train, designed by the Spanish company Talgo together with the Canadian company Bombardier. This train is mainly intended to serve the high-speed railway line Madrid – Barcelona. So, the record speed of the train is 365 km/h, and the maximum – 330 km/h (205 miles/h). Because of an unusual front part of the locomotive reminding a beak, the train was nicknamed as “Pato” which in Spanish means – the duck.
3. Trains of Shinkansen series – 443 km/h
Shinkansen is also known as the “bullet train” – the Japanese high-speed train plying on the railway system with the same name. Maximum speed of the train was registered in 1996. Then Shinkansen accelerated to 443 km/h, which was an absolute record for that time.
2. CRH-380A – 486.1 km/h
CRH-380A – Chinese railway train is designed to operate at a cruising speed of 350 km/h (217 miles per hour). Therefore, record speed of the train CRH-380A was 486,1 km/h (302 miles/hr). On the other hand it’s power is 12 900 h.p. Currently, it is made by the companies China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corporation Limited. It began operating since 2010. In addition, it’s China’s highest speed train.
1. SNCF TGV POS – 574.8 km/h
TGV POS – French high-speed train, which has been serving the line Paris – Luxembourg and Paris – Strasbourg since 2006. It is known that on the 3rd of April in 2007 in the presence of journalists, the train accelerated to a velocity of 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph), so which set the world speed record for railway trains. However, In operation the maximum speed is 320 km/h (199 miles/h).
The TGV POS is a fastest TGV train. In other words, it’s the fastest train in the world with a maximum speed of 357.2 mph.