In 1964 the world’s first ‘bullet train’ fired off on its maiden journey from Tokyo to Osaka. Hitting speeds of up to 210 km/h, this revolutionary mode of transport reached its final destination in four hours, cutting the previous journey time by more than three hours. The Bullet Train meant tourists and business people could travel between Japan’s two largest cities in a day, ushering in a new age of economic and social development.
Since then, countries around the world have created their own high-speed rail networks. And thanks to recent developments in engineering and smart technologies, we’re on edge of another great leap forward. So how will the next generation of hyper-speed trains compare to what we see today? FleetLogging.com decided to find out. The fleet management provider complied a list of the fastest trains in the world and took a look at the future of high-speed rail travel.
China’s Shanghai Transrapid regularly hits 431 km/h, making it the world’s fastest commercial train service. This high-tech train uses electromagnetic suspension to hover above the track, eliminating friction and resistance. The train flies through the 30 km stretch of countryside between Shanghai’s Longyang Road Station and Pudong International Airport in 7minutes!
China is home to two more of today’s fastest express trains. The Blue Dolphin and Golden Phoenix run on the Fuxining line that connects major Chinese provinces. In perfect testing conditions, these electric-powered trains can reach speeds of 431 km/h. That drops to ‘only’ 349 km/ for commercial services.
Europe’s fastest commercial train contest is a tie between the UK’s E320 and France’s TGV. But with a max speed of 574 km/h under test conditions, the TGV is definitely a superior machine. A TGV test model still holds the record for the fastest ever wheeled train.
But a new future is coming, and none of today’s high-speed trains will be able to keep up. Although it’s still in the testing phase, the team behind the Virgin One Hyperloop believes its transport and passenger pods will soon travel at 1080 km/h. That’s three times faster than any of our current bullet trains.
Supergenius Elon Musk has also completed tunnel testing for his Boring Company’s hyperloop line in Los Angeles County, And he has a second tunnel under construction in Las Vegas.
“Short of figuring out real teleportation, which would be awesome, the only option for super-fast travel we have is Hyperloop,” said Musk. “It’s going to change the way we travel forever.”
