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The world record for a conventional wheeled passenger train is held by a modified French TGV high-speed (with standard equipment) code named V150, set in 2007 when it reached 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph) on a 140 km (87 mi) section of track. [1] Japan's experimental maglev train L0 Series achieved 603 km/h (375 mph) on a 42.8 km (26.6 mi) magnetic levitation track in 2015. [2]
Under commercial traffic and practical conditions where trains carry passengers across from one station to another, the world records for top operating speeds of maglev and single-phase trains are held respectively by China's Shanghai Maglev Train with a top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph) and CR400 Fuxing Hao at 350 km/h (220 mph). They are followed by France's TGV Duplex and Japan's E5 Series Shinkansen which both have maximum operating speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph) for commercial services. [3]
Legend:
The following is a partial list of absolute world speed records for all trains designed to carry passengers, regardless of gauge, propulsion or type of rail.
Speed | Date | Line | Country | Train | Arr | Power | State | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015-04-21 | Yamanashi Test Track | Japan | L0 Series | Multi | AC (Maglev) | Proto. | Seven-car train set, manned [2] | |
2015-04-16 | Yamanashi Test Track | Japan | L0 Series | Multi | AC (Maglev) | Proto. | Seven-car train set, manned [4] | |
2003-12-02 | Yamanashi Test Track | Japan | MLX01] | Multi | AC (Maglev) | Proto. | Three-car train set. Guinness Book of Records authenticated. [5] | |
2007-04-03 | LGV Est | France | SNCF TGV POS Set No. 4402 | Multi | AC | Tuned | Set formed of 5 cars. [6] Current world record on steel rails. | |
2007-04-01 | LGV Est | France | SNCF TGV POS Set No. 4402 | Multi | AC | Tuned | Set formed of 5 cars. [7] | |
1990-05-18 | LGV Atlantique | France | SNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325 | Multi | AC | Tuned | Extensive modifications. | |
1990-05-09 | LGV Atlantique | France | SNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325 | Multi | AC | Tuned | Extensive modifications. [8] | |
2003-11-12 | Shanghai Maglev Train | China | Transrapid SMT | Multi | AC (Maglev) | Unmod. | Recorded in 2003 at a test run before the commercial operation in 2004 [9] | |
2010-12-03 | Beijing–Shanghai HSR | China | CRH380BL | Multi | Single phase | Unmod. | 16-car trainset [10] | |
2010-12-03 | Beijing–Shanghai HSR | China | CRH380AL | Multi | Single phase | Unmod. | 16-car trainset, near Sùzhōu [11] | |
1990-12-05 | LGV Atlantique | France | SNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325 | Multi | AC | Tuned | Extensive modifications. [12] | |
1996-07-26 | Tōkaidō Shinkansen | Japan | Class 955 Shinkansen | Multi | AC | Proto | ||
2013-03-28 | Gyeongbu high-speed railway | South Korea | Hyundai Rotem HEMU-430X | Multi | AC | Proto | six-car train set, maximum speed test [13] | |
1974-08-14 | High Speed Ground Test Center | United States | LIMRV [14] | Loc | Gas turbine | Proto | ||
1988 | LGV Sud-Est | France | SNCF TGV Sud-Est Set No. 88 | Multi | AC | [15] | ||
1988-05-01 | Hanover–Würzburg high-speed railway | Germany | Intercity Experimental (ICE V) | Multi | AC | Proto | Reached over 400 km/h in a tunnel [16] | |
2006-07-16 | Madrid-Barcelona HSL | Spain | Renfe Class 103 | Multi | AC | Unmod. | Currently holds the record of the fastest unmodified AC trainset (non-Maglev) in the world. | |
400 km/h (250 mph) | 2019-12-14 | Tohoku Shinkansen | Japan | Class E956 "ALFA-X" | Multi | AC | Proto | |
2016-02-26 | AV Milano-Torino | Italy | ETR 1000 | Multi | AC | Unmod. | ||
2007-04-03 | LGV Est | France | SNCF TGV POS Set No. 4404 | Multi | AC | unmod | Set formed of 10 cars -The 4404 train opens the way at 380 km/h for record breaker Tgv 4402 V150 train. [17] | |
1981-02-26 | LGV Sud-Est | France | SNCF TGV Sud-Est Set No. 16 | Multi | AC | Tuned | Line voltage increased from 25 kV to 29 kV, wheels of a larger diameter, and gear ratios between motors and wheels increased. | |
2009-02-04 | Monte Bibele tunnel (Bologna-Firenze HSL) | Italy | ETR 500-Y | Multi | AC | Tuned | World record in tunnel. [18] | |
2004-12-16 | Gyeongbu high-speed railway | South Korea | Hyundai Rotem HSR-350x | Multi | AC | Proto | ||
2003-07-30 | High Speed 1 | United Kingdom | Alstom Eurostar Tgv 3313/4, British Rail Class 373 | Multi | AC | Unmod | The speed of 334.7 km/h was recorded at Nashenden Valley, just outside Rochester. [19] | |
1955-03-29 | "Les Landes", between Bordeaux and Dax | France | Jeumont-Schneider SNCF BB 9003-9004 | Loc | DC | Tuned | Pulling 3 cars. Train was specially modified for the test. The track was badly damaged by the test. [20] [21] | |
1974-12-08 | "Les Landes", between Bordeaux and Dax | France | TGV001 | Multi | AC | proto | TGV first prototype [22] | |
2007-09-14 | Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway between Ankara and Eskişehir. | Turkey | ETR 500 Y2 | Multi | AC | Unmod. | Turkish railway speed record. Record set during testing of the high-speed railway, 18 months before revenue service began. [23] | |
1954-02-21 | France | SNCF CC 7107 | Loc | DC | unmod | [24] | ||
2008-09-14 | Western Main Line | Sweden | Bombardier Regina | Multi | AC | Proto. | Swedish national speed record. | |
1967-12-20 | Northeast Corridor between Trenton and New Brunswick, New Jersey | United States | UAC TurboTrain | GTEL | -- | Unmod. | -- | |
1993-10-05 | Saint Petersburg — Moscow | Russia | TEP80 | Loc | Diesel-elec | Proto. | Claimed, [25] but no verification from an independent witness [26] | |
2002-06-12, 2002-07-10 | Madrid - Barcelona, Olmedo-Medina del Campo | Spain | Talgo XXI | Multi | Diesel-elec | Proto. | Claimed by the company for both dates. [27] [28] | |
1980 | Rosslyn to De Wildt South Africa | South Africa | South African Class 6E | Loc | DC | Proto. | High speed pantographs was tested for British rail on locomotive number E1525. The idea was abandoned thereafter. | |
1987-11-01 | East Coast Main Line | United Kingdom | Class 43 (HST) | Multi | Diesel-elec | Modified | Current official diesel speed record listed in 2006 Guinness Book of Records [29] | |
1973-06-12 | East Coast Main Line | United Kingdom | HST prototype | Multi | Diesel-elec | Proto. | [30] | |
1936-02-17 | Germany | DRG SVT 137 233-234 "Bauart Leipzig" | Multi | Diesel-elec | Unmod. | First diesel train faster than 200 km/h (124 mph) [31] [32] | ||
1938-20-07 | Bologna-Milano line between Pontenure and Piacenza | Italy | FS Class ETR 200 | Loc | DC | Unmod. | ||
1938-03-07 | East Coast Main Line between Peterborough and Grantham | United Kingdom | LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | Authenticated speed. World Steam Speed Record Holder to this day. Analysis of the original dynamometer rolls in 2018 however points to several issues with the original authentication and a sustained maximum speed of 199.36 km/h (124 mph). [33] | |
1934-07-20 | United States | Milwaukee Road class F6 #6402 | Loc | Steam | Unmod | A point between Oakwood, Illinois and Lake, Wisconsin. Also averaged 75.5 mph (122 km/h) on 85 miles (137 km) from Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee, and 89.92 mph (145 km/h) for a 68.9 miles (110.9 km) stretch [34] | ||
1934-11-30 | East Coast Main Line | United Kingdom | LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | In 1934, Flying Scotsman achieved the first authenticated 100 mph (161 km/h) by a steam locomotive. [35] | |
1829 | Rainhill Trials | United Kingdom | Stephenson's Rocket | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | [36] |
The following is a list of verified absolute world speed records for conventional wheeled rail vehicles.
Speed | Date | Line | Country | Train | Arr. | Power | State | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007-04-03 | LGV Est | France | SNCF TGV POS Set No. 4402 | Multi | AC | Tuned | Set formed of 2 power cars + 3 trailers. [6] Current world record on steel rails. | |
1990-05-18 | LGV Atlantique | France | SNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325 | Multi | AC | Tuned | Extensive modifications. | |
2010-12-03 | Beijing–Shanghai HSR | China | CRH380BL | Multi | Single phase | Unmod. | 16-car trainset [37] | |
2010-12-03 | Beijing–Shanghai HSR | China | CRH380AL | Multi | Single phase | Unmod. | 16-car trainset, near Sùzhōu [38] | |
1989-12-05 | LGV Atlantique | France | SNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325 | Multi | AC | Tuned | Extensive modifications. | |
2013-03-28 | Gyeongbu high-speed railway | South Korea | Hyundai Rotem HEMU-430X | Multi | AC | Proto | six-car train set. maximum speed test. | |
1981-02-26 | LGV Sud-Est | France | SNCF TGV Sud-Est Set No. 16 | Multi | AC | Tuned | Line voltage increased from 25 kV to 29 kV, wheels of a larger diameter, and gear ratios between motors and wheels increased. | |
2004-12-16 | Gyeongbu high-speed railway | South Korea | Hyundai Rotem HSR-350x | Multi | AC | Proto | ||
2003-07-30 | High Speed 1 | United Kingdom | Eurostar 3313/4, British Rail Class 373 | Multi | AC | Unmod | The speed of 334.7 km/h was recorded at Nashenden Valley, just outside Rochester. [19] | |
1955-03-29 | "Les Landes", between Bordeaux and Dax | France | Jeumont-Schneider SNCF BB 9003-9004 | Loc | DC | Tuned | Pulling 3 cars. Train was specially modified for the test. The track was badly damaged by the test. [20] [21] | |
1993-10-05 | Saint Petersburg — Moscow | Russia | TEP80 | Loc | Diesel-elec | Proto. | Claimed, [25] but no verification from an independent witness [26] | |
1987-11-01 | East Coast Main Line | United Kingdom | Class 43 (HST) | Multi | Diesel-elec | Modified | Current official diesel speed record listed in 2006 Guinness Book of Records [29] | |
1973-06-12 | East Coast Main Line | United Kingdom | HST prototype | Multi | Diesel-elec | Proto. | [30] | |
1936-02-17 | Germany | DRG SVT 137 233-234 "Bauart Leipzig" | Multi | Diesel-elec | Unmod. | World speed record. First diesel train faster than 200 km/h (124 mph) [31] [32] | ||
1938-07-03 | United Kingdom | LNER Class A4 No. 4468 Mallard | Loc | Steam | unknown | [39] [40] Downhill grade. Data indicates peak speed 202.6 km/h (126 mph), mean speed (half-mile) 201.2 km/h (125 mph). Mallard suffered an overheated crankpin during the run, but was repaired and returned to traffic within 9 days. [41] This is the standing record for a steam locomotive. Analysis of the original dynamometer rolls in 2018 however points to several issues with the original authentication and a sustained maximum speed of 199.36 km/h (124 mph). [42] | ||
1934-07-20 | United States | Milwaukee Road class F6 #6402 | Loc | Steam | Unmod | A point between Oakwood, Illinois and Lake, Wisconsin. Also averaged 75.5 mph (122 km/h) on 85 miles (137 km) from Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee, and 89.92 mph (145 km/h) for a 68.9 miles (110.9 km) stretch [34] | ||
1934-11-30 | East Coast Main Line | United Kingdom | LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | In 1934, Flying Scotsman achieved the first authenticated 100 mph (161 km/h) by a steam locomotive. [35] | |
1829 | Rainhill Trials | United Kingdom | Stephenson's Rocket | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | [36] |
The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles with electric traction motors and powered by electricity transferred to the train.
Speed | Date | Line | Country | Train | Arr. | Power | State | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007-04-03 | LGV Est | France | SNCF TGV POS Set No. 4402 | Multi | Single phase | Tuned | Set formed of 2 power cars + 3 trailers. [6] Current world record. | |
2010-12-03 | Beijing–Shanghai HSR | China | CRH380BL | Multi | Single phase | Unmod. | 16-car trainset [37] | |
2010-12-03 | Beijing–Shanghai HSR | China | CRH380AL | Multi | Single phase | Unmod. | 16-car trainset, near Sùzhōu [38] | |
1996-07-26 | Tōkaidō Shinkansen | Japan | Class 955 Shinkansen | Multi | Single phase | Proto | ||
1993-12-21 | Jōetsu Shinkansen | Japan | Class 952/953 Shinkansen | Multi | Single phase | Proto | ||
2013-03-28 | Gyeongbu high-speed railway | South Korea | Hyundai Rotem HEMU-430X | Multi | Single phase | Proto | six-car train set. maximum speed test. [13] | |
2010-09-28 | Shanghai–Hangzhou HSR | China | CRH380A | Multi | Single phase | Unmod. | [43] | |
2006-07-15 | Madrid–Barcelona HSR between Guadalajara and Calatayud | Spain | Siemens Velaro E (AVE S-103) | Multi | Single phase | Unmod. | 15–16 July [44] [45] | |
2009-02-03 | Bologna–Florence high-speed railway | Italy | ETR 500 Y1 | Multi | Single phase | Tuned | Indoor Italian speed record, in the Monte Bibele tunnel on the high speed line between Florence and Bologna. [46] [47] | |
2006-09-02 | Nuremberg–Ingolstadt high-speed railway | Germany | Siemens EuroSprinter ES64U4 No. 1216 050-5 | Loc | AC | Unmod. | On Nuremberg–Ingolstadt high-speed railway, locomotive owned by ÖBB, pulling one car. [20] [48] | |
2003-07-30 | High Speed 1 | United Kingdom | Eurostar 3313/4, British Rail Class 373 | Multi | AC | Unmod | The speed of 334.7 km/h was recorded at Nashenden Valley, just outside Rochester. [19] | |
1955-03-29 | "Les Landes", between Bordeaux and Dax | France | Jeumont-Schneider SNCF BB 9003-9004 | Loc | DC | Tuned | Pulling 3 cars. Train was specially modified for the test. The track was badly damaged by the test. [20] [21] | |
1979-12-07 | Oyama test track | Japan | Class 961 Shinkansen | Multi | Single phase | Proto. | test track, now part of Tōhoku Shinkansen [49] | |
1972-02-24 | Sanyō Shinkansen | Japan | Class 951 Shinkansen | Multi | Single phase | Proto. | [49] | |
1963-03-30 | Odawara test track | Japan | Class 1000 Shinkansen | Multi | Single phase | Proto. | Test track now part of Tōkaidō Shinkansen [49] | |
1903-10-28 | Royal Prussian Military Railway between Marienfelde and Zossen | Germany | AEG Experimental three-phase railcar | Multi | Triphase | Proto. | Many sources say 27 October. [50] [51] [52] | |
1939-20-07 | Florence–Bologna "direttissima" and Bologna-Milan lines | Italy | ETR 200 | Multi | DC | Unmod. | Record average speed between Bologna and Milan [53] | |
1903-10-06 | Royal Prussian Military Railway between Marienfelde and Zossen | Germany | Siemens & Halske Experimental three-phase railcar | Multi | Triphase | Proto. | Some sources say 7 October, others say 200.99 km/h (125 mph) or an improbable 231 km/h (144 mph). [50] [54] [55] | |
1941 | Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad | United States | Electroliner | Multi | DC. It used its OHEL system, not its 3rd rail system for the record run. [56] | Unmod. | When the sets were received in 1941, during one test run the traction motors were allowed full field shunt to determine absolute maximum speed. It reached just over 110 mph (180 km/h), but at that speed the train reached highway crossings before the crossing gates fully closed, a dangerous situation. Thereafter, the sets were limited to 90 mph (140 km/h). [57] | |
1988-04-11 | Somwere on the Waterloo to Weymouth route | United Kingdom | British Rail Class 442 | N/A | DC 3rd rail | Unmod. | World speed record for a 750 DC 3rd rail train. [58] [59] | |
1901 | Royal Prussian Military Railway between Marienfelde and Zossen | Germany | Siemens & Halske Experimental three-phase railcar | Multi | Triphase | Proto. | Some sources say 160 km/h (99 mph) or 162 km/h (101 mph). [60] | |
1934-08 | Northeast Corridor | United States | Pennsylvania Railroad class GG1 | Loc | Single Phase | Unmod. | First streamlined electric passenger train in the world, pulling 14 coaches at sustained speeds of 161 km/h. | |
1930 | Cincinnati and Lake Erie Railroad | United States | Red Devil (interurban) | Single | DC | Unmod. | Defeated a plane in a race for publicity. [61] | |
1972-01-31 | LIRR Main Line between Woodside and Jamaica | United States | R44 (New York City Subway car) | Multi | DC | Unmod. | World speed record for a subway train. When half the motors were disabled to simulate the weight of a rush-hour crowd, it still reached 124 km/h (77 mph). The cars were capable of even higher speeds, as the consist was still accelerating as it approached the end of the designated test track. [62] [63] |
The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles with on-board fuel to generate electricity for traction motors such as diesel-electric locomotive, diesel electric multiple unit and gas turbine-electric locomotive trains.
Speed | Date | Line | Country | Train | Arr. | Power | State | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1993-10-05 | Saint Petersburg — Moscow | Russia | TEP80 | Loc | Diesel-elec | Proto. | Has documentation and record of the speed, [25] but no verification from an independent witness. [26] | |
2002-06-12, 2002-07-10 | Madrid - Barcelona, Olmedo-Medina del Campo | Spain | Talgo XXI | Multi | Diesel-elec | Proto. | Claimed by the company for both dates. [27] [28] | |
1987-11-01 | East Coast Main Line | United Kingdom | Class 43 (HST) | Multi | Diesel-elec | Modified | Current official diesel speed record listed in 2006 Guinness Book of Records [29] | |
1973-06-12 | East Coast Main Line | United Kingdom | HST prototype | Multi | Diesel-elec | Proto. | [30] | |
1936-02-17 | Germany | DRG SVT 137 233-234 "Bauart Leipzig" | Multi | Diesel-elec | Unmod. | World speed record. First diesel train faster than 200 km/h (124 mph) [31] [32] | ||
1934-05-26 | United States | Pioneer Zephyr | Multi | Diesel-elec | Unmod. | World speed record. First streamlined diesel-electric train and the first multi-coach passenger train to reach a 181 km/h top speed. | ||
1934-02-12 | United States | M-10000 | Multi | Gasoline-elec | Unmod. | World speed record. First streamlined gasoline-electric train and the first multi-coach passenger train to reach a 177 km/h top speed. |
The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles with on-board fuel to mechanical energy to drive vehicle's wheels such as diesel-hydraulic trains and gas turbine locomotive trains that use mechanical transmission to power the drive wheels.
Speed | Date | Line | Country | Train | Arr. | Power | State | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1967-12-20 | Northeast Corridor | United States | UAC TurboTrain | Multi | Gas | unknown | [64] | |
1905 | Union Pacific and Southern Pacific | United States | McKeen railmotor | Single Railcar | Gasoline Engine | unknown | First streamlined train in history with 152 units sold and used by Union Pacific and other railroad companies from 1905-1934. |
The following is a list of speed records for steam locomotives.
Note: All records with a faster speed than 202.6 km/h (126 mph) (the record set by Mallard ) are claimed and have not been officially verified (compare rival claims section).
Speed | Date | Line | Country | Train | Arr. | Power | State | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1938-07-03 | East Coast Main Line | United Kingdom | LNER Class A4 No. 4468 Mallard | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | [65] [40] Downhill grade. Data indicates peak speed 202.6 km/h (126 mph), mean speed (half-mile) 201.2 km/h (125 mph). Mallard suffered an overheated center big end bearing (or crankpin) during the run, but was repaired and returned to traffic within 9 days. [41] Mallard's record is the standing world speed record for a steam locomotive. | |
1936-05-11 | Germany | Borsig DRG series 05 002 | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | Level grade. [66] | ||
1934-12-27 | New York Central Railroad (also B&A, THB, MC, CCC&StL) | United States | New York Central Hudson "Commodore Vanderbilt" | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | This was the first streamlined coal-fired steam train in history. | |
1935-04-05 | United States | Milwaukee Road class A #2 | Loc | Steam | unknown | This was the first streamlined oil-fired steam train in history. Claimed to have sustained 112.5 mph (181 km/h) for 14 miles (23 km). Average speed for 136 miles (219 km) between Milwaukee and New Lisbon, Wisconsin was 74.9 mph (121 km/h). [34] | ||
1934-07-20 | United States | Milwaukee Road class F6 #6402 | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | A point between Oakwood, Illinois and Lake, Wisconsin. Also averaged 75.5 mph (122 km/h) on 85 miles (137 km) from Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee, and 89.92 mph (145 km/h) for a 68.9 miles (110.9 km) stretch. [34] This trip was a test run for the feasibility of a new planned high speed passenger train service between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul via Milwaukee, which came to fruition the next year as the Hiawatha . | ||
1934-11-30 | East Coast Main Line | United Kingdom | LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | In 1934, Flying Scotsman achieved the first authenticated 100 mph (161 km/h) by a steam locomotive. [35] [note 1] | |
1904-05-4 | Exeter to Bristol Line | United Kingdom | GWR 3700 Class 3440 City of Truro | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | This was the first independently measured and published 100 mph (161 km/h) by a steam locomotive. [67] [note 2] | |
1895-10-24 | Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway | United States | Brooks-built ten-wheeler and train | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | The engineer was presented with a memorial watch from the Webb C. Ball Company in a ceremony at the Brooks Locomotive Works offices on April 17, 1896. [68] | |
1895 | London and North Western Railway | United Kingdom | LNWR Improved Precedent Class No. 790 Hardwicke | Loc | Steam | unmod. | [69] | |
1893-05-10 | United States | Empire State Express No. 999 | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | 112 mph (180 km/h) claimed, which would make it the first wheeled vehicle to exceed 100 mph (161 km/h). [70] [71] Unauthenticated and dubious. | ||
1840s | Great Western Main Line | United Kingdom | GWR Iron Duke class Iron Duke | Loc | Steam | unknown | [69] | |
1830-09 | Liverpool and Manchester Railway | United Kingdom | Northumbrian | Loc | Steam | unknown | [69] | |
1829 | Rainhill Trials | United Kingdom | Stephenson's Rocket | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | [36] | |
1804-02-21 | Merthyr Tramroad | United Kingdom | Richard Trevithick: World's first railway steam locomotive | Loc | Steam | Unmod. | On 21 February 1804 it successfully carried 11.24 tons of coal, five wagons and 70 men over the full distance, in 4 hours and 5 minutes, at an average speed of 2.4 mph (3.9 km/h). [72] [73] |
Note:
The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles that use air propulsion to move rail vehicles while the wheels are rolling along the track.
Speed | Date | Line | Country | Train | Arr. | Power | State | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1974-08-14 | High Speed Ground Test Center | United States | LIMRV [14] | Loc | Gas turbine | Proto | ||
1966-07-23 | Butler, Indiana to Stryker, Ohio | United States | New York Central Budd RDC-3 M-497 | Loc | Jet | Proto. | Jet aero engines (retrofitted to roof) | |
1928-06-23 | Germany | Opel RAK III | Loc | Rocket | Proto. | Unmanned. Some sources say 254 km/h (158 mph) or 290 km/h (180 mph). See: [74] [75] [76] [77] [78] | ||
1921-07-24 | Moscow-Tula | Soviet Union | Aerowagon | Single | Propeller | Proto. | Propeller-driven railcar with a gasoline (petrol) aero engine. |
Using an air cushion and a monorail, the Aérotrain set on 5 March 1974 a mean speed of 417.6 km/h (259.5 mph) and a peak speed of 430.4 km/h (267.4 mph).
Speed | Date | Line | Country | Train | Arr | Power | State | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1978-10-31 | Between Westonaria and Midway | South Africa | SAR Class 6E1 (No. E1525) | Loc | Single phase | unknown | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) [79] [80] [81] Scheffel bogie | |
210 km/h (130 mph) | 1999 | Queensland Rail North Coast Line | Australia | Electric Tilt Train | Multi | AC | Unmod. | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Tilting train [82] |
1960-11-21 | JNR Tōkaidō Main Line | Japan | JNR KuMoYa93 test car | Multi | DC | Proto. | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) [83] | |
1959-07-31 | JNR Tōkaidō Main Line | Japan | JNR 151 series | Multi | DC | unknown | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) [83] | |
1957-09-27 | JNR Tōkaidō Main Line | Japan | Odakyū 3000 series SE Romancecar | Multi | DC | unknown | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) [84] | |
1914 | South-West Africa | OMEG Rail motor coach No. «Kronprinz» | Single | Gasoline | unknown | 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) Summer 1914. [84] | ||
1954-12-15 | JNR Tokaido Main Line | Japan | JNR Class C62 No. C62 17 | Loc | Steam | unknown | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) [85] | |
1914 | Indonesia | Staatsspoorwegen SS Class 700 | Single | Steam | Unmod. | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) [86] |
Speed | Date | Line | Country | Train | Arr | Power | State | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015-04-21 | Yamanashi Test Track | Japan | L0 Series | Multi | AC | Proto. | Seven-car train set, manned [2] | |
2015-04-16 | Yamanashi Test Track | Japan | L0 Series | Multi | AC | Proto. | Seven-car train set, manned [4] | |
2003-12-02 | Yamanashi Test Track | Japan | MLX01 | Multi | AC | Proto. | Three-car train set. Guinness Book of Records authenticated. [5] | |
1999-04-14 | Yamanashi Test Track | Japan | MLX01 | Multi | AC | Proto. | Five-car train set. Guinness Book of Records authenticated.[ citation needed ] | |
2003-11-12 | Shanghai Maglev Train | China | Transrapid SMT | Multi | AC | Unmod. | Recorded in 2003 at a test run before the commercial operation in 2004 [9] | |
1974-08-14 | High Speed Ground Test Center | United States | LIMRV [14] | Single | Cable | Proto |
The following are the lists of world record average operating speeds between two stations. The average speeds are measured by the total time and the distance between the two stations.
Average speed | Top speed | Train | Type | Location | From | To | Distance | Duration | Date from | Date to | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
316.7 km/h (197 mph) | 350 km/h (217 mph) | Fuxing Hao | Single phase | China | Beijing | Nanjing | 1,018.6 km (633 mi) | 193 min | 2018 | On Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway [87] | |
283.7 km/h (176 mph) | 300 km/h (310 km/h with +10 tolerance) | CRH380A | Single phase | China | Shijiazhuang | Zhengzhou | 383.0 km (238 mi) | 81 min | 2010 | On Wuhan-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway [88] | |
279.3 km/h (174 mph) | 320 km/h (199 mph) | TGV Duplex | Single phase | France | Lorraine TGV | Champagne-Ardenne TGV | 167.6 km (104 mi) | 36 min | 2007 | 2010 | On the LGV Est [89] |
263.4 km/h (164 mph) | 320 km/h (199 mph) | E5 series shinkansen | Single phase | Japan | Ōmiya | Sendai | 294.1 km (183 mi) | 67 min | 2011 | 2017 | With the Hayabusa service on the Tohoku Shinkansen line [90] |
263.3 km/h (164 mph) | 320 km/h (199 mph) | TGV Duplex | Single phase | France | Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport | Aix-en-Provence | 289.6 km (180 mi) | 66 min | 2005 | 2007 | On the LGV Méditerranée [91] |
261.8 km/h (163 mph) | 300 km/h (186 mph) | Nozomi Shinkansen | Single phase | Japan | Hiroshima | Kokura | 192.0 km (119 mi) | 44 min | 1997 | 2005 | Operated by 500 Series Shinkansen [91] |
249.5 km/h (155 mph) | 431 km/h (268 mph) | Shanghai Maglev Train | AC (Maglev) | China | Longyang Road | Pudong International Airport | 29 km (18 mi) | 7 minutes 20 seconds | 2003 | Average and maximum speeds during peak operation 09:00–10:45 and 15:00–15:45 [92] | |
235.8 km/h (147 mph) | 310 km/h (193 mph) | AVE S-103 | Single phase | Spain | Madrid-Atocha | Barcelona-Sants | 620.9 km (386 mi) | 158 min | 2008 | On Madrid–Barcelona high-speed rail line | |
232.4 km/h (144 mph) | 300 km/h (186 mph) | ICE 3 | Single phase | Germany | Frankfurt Airport | Siegburg/Bonn | 143.3 km (89 mi) | 37 min | 2006 | On Cologne–Frankfurt high-speed rail line [93] | |
223.2 km/h (139 mph) | 320 km/h (199 mph) | Al Boraq | Single phase | Morocco | Tanger-Ville | Kenitra-Ville | 186 km (116 mi) | 50 min | 2018 | On Casablanca–Tangier high-speed rail line | |
219.9 km/h (137 mph) | 320 km/h (199 mph) | Eurostar e300/e320 | Single phase | United Kingdom, France | London St Pancras | Paris Gare du Nord | 491 km (305 mi) | 134 min | 2007 | On High Speed 1, Channel Tunnel, LGV Nord. On a trip 2007 the train took 124 min, which equals an average of 238.3 km/h (148 mph). [94] | |
210.8 km/h (131 mph) | 300 km/h (186 mph) | ETR500, Frecciarossa 1000, ETR575 "Italo" | Single phase | Italy | Milano Centrale | Bologna Centrale | 214.7 km (133 mi) | 61 min | 2008 | On Milan-Bologna high speed railway | |
254.3 km/h (158 mph) | 300 km/h (186 mph) | TGV | Single phase | France | Gare de Lille Europe | Charles de Gaulle Airport | 203.4 km (126 mi) | 48 min | 1995 | 1997 | On LGV Interconnexion Est and LGV Nord. [95] Historical |
130.4 km/h (81 mph) | 161 km/h (100 mph) | Morning Hiawatha | Steam | United States | Sparta, Wisconsin | Portage, Wisconsin | 126.0 km (78 mi) | 58 min | 1939 | 1971 | 78.3 miles (126.0 km) in 58 minutes, [34] Milwaukee Road class F7. Historical |
114.8 km/h (71 mph) | 148.7 km/h (92 mph) | Cheltenham Spa Express | Steam | United Kingdom | Swindon | London | 124.3 km (77 mi) | 65 min | 1932 | 1933 | 77.25 miles (124.32 km) in 65 minutes. Claimed by the Great Western Railway at the time to be the world's fastest train. Now operated by GWR in 49 minutes with Class 800 Hitachi Intercity Express Train. [96] Historical |
A monorail is a railway in which the track consists of a single rail or beam. Colloquially, the term "monorail" is often used to describe any form of elevated rail or people mover. More accurately, the term refers to the style of track. Monorail systems are most frequently implemented in large cities, airports, and theme parks.
High-speed rail (HSR) is a type of rail transport network utilizing trains that run significantly faster than those of traditional rail, using an integrated system of specialized rolling stock and dedicated tracks. While there is no single standard that applies worldwide, lines built to handle speeds above 250 km/h (155 mph) or upgraded lines in excess of 200 km/h (125 mph) are widely considered to be high-speed.
The Shinkansen, colloquially known in English as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. It was initially built to connect distant Japanese regions with Tokyo, the capital, to aid economic growth and development. Beyond long-distance travel, some sections around the largest metropolitan areas are used as a commuter rail network. It is owned by the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency and operated by five Japan Railways Group companies.
A tilting train is a train that has a mechanism enabling increased speed on regular rail tracks. As a train rounds a curve at speed, objects inside the train experience centrifugal force. This can cause packages to slide about or seated passengers to feel squashed by the outboard armrest, and standing passengers to lose their balance. In such excessive speeds, it could even cause the train to derail. Tilting trains are designed to counteract this by tilting the carriages towards the inside of the curve, thus compensating for the g-force. The train may be constructed such that inertial forces cause the tilting, or it may have a computer-controlled powered mechanism.
A streamliner is a vehicle incorporating streamlining in a shape providing reduced air resistance. The term is applied to high-speed railway trainsets of the 1930s to 1950s, and to their successor "bullet trains". Less commonly, the term is applied to fully faired upright and recumbent bicycles. As part of the Streamline Moderne trend, the term was applied to passenger cars, trucks, and other types of light-, medium-, or heavy-duty vehicles, but now vehicle streamlining is so prevalent that it is not an outstanding characteristic. In land speed racing, it is a term applied to the long, slender, custom built, high-speed vehicles with enclosed wheels.
Talgo is a Spanish manufacturer of intercity, standard, and high-speed passenger trains. Talgo is an abbreviation of Tren Articulado Ligero Goicoechea Oriol.
Maglev is a system of rail transport whose rolling stock is levitated by electromagnets rather than rolled on wheels, eliminating rolling resistance.
The SCMaglev is a magnetic levitation (maglev) railway system developed by Central Japan Railway Company and the Railway Technical Research Institute.
The AGV is a standard gauge, high-speed, electric multiple-unit train designed and built by Alstom.
The TGV POS is a TGV train built by French manufacturer Alstom which is operated by the French national rail company, the SNCF, in France's high-speed rail lines. It was originally ordered by the SNCF for use on the LGV Est, which was put into service in 2007. POS is an abbreviation of Paris-Ostfrankreich-Süddeutschland, the route of the LGV Est.
The TGV is France's high-speed rail service. The idea of a high-speed train in France was born about twenty years before the first TGVs entered service. At that time, about 1960, a radical new concept was thought up; combining very high speeds and steep grades would allow a railway to follow the contours of existing terrain, like a gentle roller coaster. Instead of one or two percent grades which would be considered steep in normal applications, grades up to four percent would be feasible, thus allowing more flexible routing of new lines. Over the next several years, this very general idea gave rise to a variety of high speed transportation concepts, which tended to move away from conventional "wheel on rail" vehicles. Indeed, the French government at the time favoured more "modern" air-cushioned or maglev trains, such as Bertin's Aérotrain; Steel wheel on rail was considered a dead-end technology. Simultaneously, SNCF was trying to raise the speeds of conventional trains into the range 180 to 200 km/h for non-electrified sections, by using gas turbines for propulsion. Energy was reasonably cheap in those years, and gas turbines were a compact and efficient way to fulfil requirements for more power. Following on the TGS prototype in 1967, SNCF introduced gas turbine propulsion with the ETG turbotrains in Paris - Cherbourg service, in March 1970.
Variable gauge systems allow railway vehicles to travel between two railways with different track gauges. Vehicles are equipped with variable gauge axles (VGA). The gauge is altered by driving the train through a gauge changer installed at the break of gauge which moves the wheels to the gauge desired.
Jacobs bogies are a type of rail vehicle bogie commonly found on articulated railcars and tramway vehicles.
The high-speed rail (HSR) network in the People's Republic of China (PRC) is the world's longest and most extensively used – with a total length of 46,000 kilometres (29,000 mi) in the middle of 2024. The HSR network encompasses newly built rail lines with a design speed of 200–380 km/h (120–240 mph). China's HSR accounts for two-thirds of the world's total high-speed railway networks. Almost all HSR trains, track and service are owned and operated by the China Railway Corporation under the brand China Railway High-speed (CRH).
High-speed rail (HSR) has developed in Europe as an increasingly popular and efficient means of transport. The first high-speed rail lines on the continent, built in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, improved travel times on intra-national corridors.
The Madrid–Barcelona high-speed rail line is a 621-kilometre (385.9 mi) standard gauge railway line inaugurated on 20 February 2008. Designed for speeds of 350 km/h (217.5 mph) and compatibility with neighbouring countries' rail systems, it connects the cities of Madrid and Barcelona in 2 hours 30 minutes. In Barcelona the line is connected with the Perpignan–Barcelona high-speed rail line leading into France which connects it to the European high speed network.
The Renfe Class 130 or S-130 is a high-speed dual-gauge, dual-voltage trainset consisting of 11 Talgo VII tilting coaches and two power cars, used on Alvia and Euromed services. The class have been nicknamed patitos (ducklings), due to the shape of the train nose.
The L0 Series is a high-speed maglev train which the Central Japan Railway Company has been developing and testing. JR Central plans to use the L0 series on the Chūō Shinkansen railway line between Tokyo and Osaka, which is under construction.
The "fastest" train commercial service can be defined alternatively by a train's top speed or average trip speed.
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: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)Average speed 72.92 miles an hour. Maximum speed 92.3 miles an hour.