Visualization of the fastest trains on this planet
Trains have been a driving force in culture for the reason that invention of the steam engine in 1802.
Invented in Britain at the peak of the Industrial Revolution, steam trains gave the empire an unrivaled advantage in transporting goods and other people. It quickly spread all over the world as other countries tried to develop their very own railway networks to support economic growth and trade.
But as countries pushed for more railways, in addition they tried to develop faster trains. In 1964, Japan’s Tokaido Shinkansen, or “bullet train”, became the world’s first high-speed rail line, reaching speeds of over 200 km/h.
How do other nations and railroads compare? Let’s take a take a look at the fastest trains on this planet using data from the web site Travel and leisure magazine.
Who has the fastest trains on this planet?
Japan has been on the forefront of the high-speed rail revolution and stays at the highest of the rankings. Although the country’s fastest repeatedly scheduled bullet trains (N700A Shinkansen) can reach speeds of 300 km/h, recent research into magnetic levitation (maglev) is breaking speed records.
Indeed, the 2 fastest trains on this planet are maglevs, which use two sets of magnets to lift the train and propel it forward without friction or slowing down.
Japan’s L0 series Maglev train remains to be in development, but has the fastest train on this planet with a land speed record of 374 miles per hour, or 602 km/h.
The fastest trains in China try to overtake Japan
China, which already has the world’s longest high-speed rail network and spends huge amounts of cash on infrastructure, is putting Japan to the test.
The Shanghai Maglev Railway, connecting the town center with the international airport, is already operational in China. The country’s newest train, which debuted in July 2021, had a maximum speed of 600 km/h.
When full production began, the brand new maglev train was introduced because the fastest operating train on this planet. However, until full operation begins, its test speed record stays lower than the L0 series record.
In fact, China boasts half of the eight fastest trains on this planet. Asia, including Japan and South Korea, has a lot of the high-speed rail network and is achieving record speeds.
But it isn’t just maglevs and Asian domination. Conventional electric trains in Europe also made the list, with the TGV POS in France and the Frecciarossa 1000 in Italy reaching speeds of 575 km/h and 245 mph (394 km/h) respectively.
From a visible capitalist
