THE WORLD’S FASTEST
HIGH-SPEED TRAINS
1. L0 SERIES
Launched: 21 April 2015
Train Length: 299 m
Maximum Speed: 374 mph
Number of Built: 14 vehicles
About: This Japanese train, which is currently being developed and tested by the central japan railway
company (JR central), holds the land speed record for rail vehicles, clocking in at 374 mph. While it may be
tempting to book a ticket to Tokyo, keep in mind that this train is still being developed for regular commercial
use. The first segment (Tokyo to Nagoya) is set to open in 2027, before being expanded to Osaka.
2. SNCF
TGV POS
Launched: 1989
Train Length: 200.19 m
Maximum Speed: 357 mph
Number of Built: 19
About: France has had high-speed rail travel dialed in for many years. And in 2007, the TGV POS set
the world speed record for rail vehicles at an impressive 357 mph, before being surpassed by Japan's
L0 series in 2015. The train is operated by French rail company SNCF for use on the LGV est route,
which runs between Paris, eastern France, and southern Germany. While in regular service, the train
reaches a top speed of 200 mph. It's not 357 mph, but it's still shockingly fast.
3. CRH380A
HEXIE
Launched: 26 October 2010
Train Length: 380 m
Maximum Speed: 302 mph
Number of Built: 16
About: While China's CRH380A Hexie (also called Harmony) can cruise at a maximum speed of
236 mph for commercial operations, it reached a whopping 302 mph during testing. And what's
even more impressive is that the high-speed electric train is just one of four Chinese train series
developed to operate on the newly constructed high-speed main lines. The CRH380A may be the
fastest, but the other three are nothing to scoff at — check out the CRH380B, CRH380C, and
CRH380D.
4. SHANGHAI
MAGLEV TRAIN
Launched: 31 December 2002
Train Length: 153 m
Maximum Speed: 268 mph
Number of Built: 2
About: Like Japan's L0 Series, the Shanghai maglev (also called the Shanghai Transrapid) is a
magnetic levitation train that operates out of Shanghai, China. And while it lands solidly at number
four on this list, thanks to a top speed of 268 mph, it's the oldest commercial maglev train still in
operation. If you fly into Shanghai Pudong International Airport, riding this train is easy. You can hop
off in central Shanghai or take it all the way to the outskirts of central Pudong, where the line ends.
5. HEMU-430X
Launched: May 2012
Train Length: 157 m
Maximum Speed: 262 mph
Number of Built: 1
About: While South Korea's HEMU-430X was built to operate at a maximum speed of 267 mph, it
only reached 262 mph (421.4 km/h) in March 2013. Although it might have fallen short of expectations
(at least so far), the train gave South Korea some bragging rights: It is now the world's fourth country
(after France, Japan, and China) to develop a train that runs over 261 mph (420 km/h).
6. FUXING HAO
CR400AF/BF
Launched: 2016
Train Length: 250 m
Maximum Speed: 260 mph
Number of Built: 1
About: China's Fuxing Hao (also known as Fuxing or the CR series EMU) operates regularly at speeds
of up to 220 mph — but during testing, it reached an impressive 260 mph, giving it a well-deserved spot
on this list. The Fuxing Hao travels on several high-speed lines in China, including the popular route
between Beijing and Shanghai.
7. FRECCIAROSSA
1000
Launched: 25 April 2015
Train Length: 202 m
Maximum Speed: 245 mph
Number of Built: 50
About: This list may be dominated by China, but Italy's Frecciarossa 1000 (also known as ETR 400)
travels at impressive speeds through hot spots like Milan, Florence, Rome, and Venice. While Italy
limits its trains to a speed of 190 mph, the Frecciarossa 1000 reportedly reached a peak speed of
245 mph (393.8 km/h) in 2016.
