Top 10 Fastest Trains in the World

The evolution of technology has led man to improve his life style. As humans, we continuously evolve. From traveling by foot, to travelling on horses, we eventually evolved to the point where in 1982, the first train was finally invented by George Stephenson. Three years later, in 1985, that train started being used as a means of public transportation. The human mind is adamant on making life easier and better, increasing convenience and efficiency. Our lives keep getting busier and faster, and we need to do everything we can to conquer time and space. With time, many more trains were invented, each aiming to go faster than the previous ones, that is to say, aiming to cover much more distance in much less time. Here’s what turned out; the 10 fastest trains currently existing in the world.

10. HSL 1

With a maximum speed of 186 mph, the HSL 1 train started functioning in Belgium in December 1997. With this speed, this train can travel from Brussels to Paris in 90 minutes only. HSL stands for High Speed Line 1, and its total construction cost was €1.42 billion.

9. ETR 500

With a maximum speed of 190 mph, the ETR 500 train started functioning in Italy in 1993. With this speed, it can travel from center of Bologna to Milan in one hour only. ETR stands for Elettero Treno Rapido.

8. EuroStar

With a maximum speed of 199 mph, the EuroStar travels through the tunnels of the English Channel, connecting London and Paris, and carries about 900 passengers daily. It is a UK based train. The train also travels to Brussels.

7. AVE Talgo-350

With a maximum speed of 205 mph, the AVE Talgo-350 was the first train to cross the 200 mph barrier. It started first started functioning in Spain, connecting Barcelona and Madrid, and Madrid and Valladoid. TALGO is the Spanish acronym for “Tren Articulado Ligero Goicoechea Oriol” and it means Goicoechea-Oriol light articulated train.

6. THSR 700T

With a maximum speed of 208 mph, the THSR 700T can carry as many as 989 passengers at a time. THSR stands for Taiwan High Speed Rail. Although it is a Taiwan based train because it runs operates in Taiwan, it actually was manufactured in Japan.

5. KTX 2

With a maximum speed of 219 mph, the fact that the KTX 2 can only carry 360 passengers hardly matters, since the passengers reach their destinations in no time. This South Korean train was originally built in the late 2000s by Hyundai Rotem, but ever since 2009, it is being operated by Korail.

4. TGV Reseau

With a maximum speed of 236 mph, this train was built by Alstom between 1992 to 1996. It is a France-based train and carries 377 passengers. TGV stands for Train à Grande Vitesse, which is French for “train at high speed” and is operated by SNCF, the French National Railway Company.

3. Shinkasen

With a maximum speed of 275 mph, the Shinkasen is a Japansese train, also known as the “Bullet Train” due to its immense speed, and nicknamed as “Duck-Billed Platypus” owing to the distinct kind of noise that it makes. This train started functioning in Japan in 1964 and is currently operated by the Japan Railway Group.

2. TR-09

With a maximum speed of 279 mph, the TransRapid TR-09 is a German train that uses a magnetic levitation system, also known as mag-lev, basically making it a mono-rail train. The planning to build this train began in 1969 and the train was finally built in 1987. This is currently the second fastest train in the world.

1. CRH 380A

With a maximum speed of 302 mph, the CRH 380A is the first ever, and the only train that surpassed the 300 mph speed barrier. Built and operated by CSR Qingdao Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company., its speed makes it the fastest legal mode of travel by land. It can carry up to 494 passengers.