Fastest Trains in the World

Trains is one of the most popular land transportation means. With the development of technology, people can make High Speed Rail that used for fastest train in the world. Several countries in the world are trying to make the fastest train in the world. Some of the trains is still in service but some of them become a failure for the company that invested on the development of the railways. Here’s 10 fastest trains in the world today:

10. HSL 1, Belgium, 300 km/h (186 mph)

HSL 1 is a Belgian High speed rail line from Brussels to LGV Nord. It’s 88 km (55 mi) long. 71 km is the high speed tracks. This service was began on December 14th, 1997. The electrification is using 25 kV 50 Hz OHLE with Operating speed 300 km/h (186 mph). This line was shortened the journey from Paris to Brussels. Now It’s just 1 hour 22 minutes to go from Paris to Brussels.

HSL 1

9. ETR 500, Italy: 300 km/h (186 mph)

ETR 500 or Elettro Treno Rapido 500 is Italian high-speed train introduced in 1993 and it is now operated by Trenitalia on RFI tracks. The maximum speed it can reach is 300 km/hour (190 mph). It just take 1 hour from the downtown of Milan to the center of Bologna. THe electric system used by this train is 3000 V DC, 25 kV AC (+ 1500 V DC for ETR.500 F).

ETR 500

8. Eurostar, UK: 300 km/h (186 mph)

Eurostar is High Speed Train that connect London, Paris and Brussels. They transport through Channel Tunnel between Britain and France. The current Eurostar e320 can run at the speed of 320 km/hour (199 mph).The electric systems used is 25 kV 50 Hz. This train can bring 900 passengers.

Eurostar

7. AVE Talgo-350, Spain: 330 km/h (205 mph)

The AVE Class 102 is a class of AVE high-speed trains for the Spanish state-run railway company RENFE that connect Madrid – Málaga Madrid – Valladolid and Madrid – Huesca. It’s using Talgo 350 train that can run at the speed 330 km/h (205 mph). The train is using 25 kV 50 Hz AC Overhead electric system and can be used to bring 318 passengers. They are in service since 2005.

AVE Talgo-350

6. THSR 700T, Taiwan: 335.50 km/h (208 mph)

The THSR 700T is a high speed train Operated in Taiwan and was derived from Japanese Shinkansen. The top speed of this train basically can reach 335.50 km/h (208 mph) but It’s usually run at the top speed of 300 km/hour (186 mph). The train was first operated on January 5, 2007. The electric system used is 25 kV/60 Hz AC catenary. The line served is Taipei–Kaohsiung while it can bring 989 passengers.

THSR 700T

5. KTX 2, South Korea: 352.4 km/hour (218 mph)

KTX II or KTX-Sancheon is high speed train built in South Korean by Hyundai Rotem. It is now operated by KOrail since March 2009. The train was designed and tested can run at the speed of 352.4 km/hour (218 mph) but for safety reason the top speed of this train become 305 km/h (190 mph). The electric system by this train is 25 kV/60 Hz AC catenary. The train serve several route in South Korea and can bring 363 passengers.

KTX 2

4. TGV Réseau, France: 380 km/hour (236.12 mph)

The TGV Réseau (TGV-R) are high speed trains SNCF and were built by Alstom between 1992 and 1996. These TGV trainsets are based on the earlier TGV Atlantique. The train basically can run up to 380 km/hour (236.12 mph). But the approved top speed is 320 km/h (199 mph) while it’s in service. The electric system used by this train is 25 kV AC, 1500 V DC and 3000 V DC. The train can bring 377 passengers.

TGV

3. Shinkansen, Japan: 443 Km/hour (275.3 mph)

The Shinkansen or bullet train of Japan is a network of high speed railways in Japan. It’s connected several cities in Japan and still expanded to more cities. The test run of the train can reach the speed of 443 km/h (275 mph). The Shinkansen are using 25,000 V AC overhead power supply. The latest version of Shinkansen E5 Series are running at the top speed of 320 km/h (200 mph) while it’s in service.

Shinkansen

2. TR-09, Germany: 450 km/hour (270.3 mph)

Transrapid or TR is a German high-speed monorail train using magnetic levitation. The current application-ready version, the Transrapid 09, has been designed for 500 km/h cruising speed but it’s somehow will be 450 km/hour (270.3 mph) for safety reason. The normal energy consumption of the Transrapid is approximately 50–100 kW per section for levitation and travel, and vehicle control.

TR-09

1. CRH380A, China: 487.3 km/hour (302.8 mph)

The CRH380A is a Chinese high speed train manufactured by CSR Qingdao Sifang Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., Ltd. This train was replaced CRH2 foreign technology. This train is designed to operate at the speed of 380 km/h while in operation and 480 km/h while it’s in testing. The train use 25 kV AC Overhead electrical system while can bring 494 passengers. The main route served are Shanghai–Nanjing and Shanghai–Hangzhou.

CRH380A