10 fastest trains in the world: No 1 travels at a top speed of 460 km/h
1 / 12Trains continue to transform the way we travel and connect, despite the prevalence of air travel. Once powered by coal and diesel, they now rely on electricity and electromagnetism, attaining mindboggling speeds once thought impossible. These technological marvels have bridged vast distances, making daily commutes more convenient than ever before. They’ve also promoted economic growth by linking economic and tourist hubs. (Image: Reuters)
2 / 12Behind their sleek designs lie decades of innovation, overcoming engineering challenges that seemed insurmountable. Today, they stand as symbols of human ingenuity and progress. In this gallery, we take a look at the world’s fastest commercial trains, carrying millions at breathtaking speeds.
3 / 12No 1. Train name: Shanghai Maglev | Country: China | Top speed: 460 km per hour | The Shanghai Maglev Train (SMT), commonly known as the Shanghai Transrapid, is the world’s fastest commercial train. It runs at a blistering speed of 286 mph (460 km/h), connecting Shanghai Pudong International Airport to the city in just minutes. (Image: Reuters)
4 / 12No 2. Train name: CR Harmony | Country: China | Top speed: 350 km per hour | The Harmony train series has been operational since 2007 and was developed with international collaboration. Commissioned by China’s Ministry of Railways, it laid the foundation for the next generation of trains, inspiring the Fuxing series. (Image: WikiMedia Commons)
5 / 12No 3. Train name: CR Fuxing | Country: China | Top speed: 350–400 km per hour | The Fuxing series, designed by CRRC Changchun and built by CRRC Qingdao Sifang, represents China’s first fully homegrown family of high-speed trains. It combines speed, efficiency, and cutting-edge rail technology, making it one of the world’s most advanced train models. (Image: WikiMedia Commons)
6 / 12No 4. Train name: DB Intercity-Express 3 (ICE 3) | Country: Germany | Top speed: 330 km per hour | The ICE 3, developed by Siemens and Bombardier, has been in service since 2000 under Deutsche Bahn. Known for comfort and efficiency, it serves domestic German routes as well as international connections to neighbouring European countries. (Image: WikiMedia Commons)
7 / 12No 5. Train name: SNCF TGV | Country: France | Top speed: 320 km per hour | France’s TGV, jointly developed by Alstom and the national rail operator SNCF, has been a pioneer in European high-speed travel. Originally powered by gas turbines, it was reengineered to electricity after the 1973 oil crisis, cementing its role as a symbol of French engineering.(Image: Reuters)
8 / 12No 6. Train name: JR Shinkansen | Country: Japan | Top speed: 320 km per hour | Japan’s Shinkansen, famously known as the bullet train, revolutionised high-speed rail travel when it debuted in 1964. Designed to connect distant cities with Tokyo’s economic hub, it remains a global benchmark for speed, safety, and punctuality. (Representational image: Reuters)
9 / 12No 7. Train name: ONCF Al Boraq | Country: Morocco | Top speed: 320 km per hour | Launched in 2018 after nearly a decade of planning, Morocco’s Al Boraq became Africa’s first high-speed railway. Developed in partnership between Morocco’s ONCF and France’s Alstom, it links Tangier with Casablanca in under two hours. (Image: WikiMedia Commons)
10 / 12No 8. Train name: Renfe AVE Class 103 | Country: Spain | Top speed: 310 km per hour | Part of Spain’s Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) service, the Class 103 has been in operation since 2007. Operated by Renfe, it connects major Spanish cities at remarkable speeds, making rail the preferred choice over domestic flights. (Image: WikiMedia Commons)
11 / 12No 9. Train name: Korail KTX-Sancheon | Country: South Korea | Top speed: 305 km per hour | Developed in 2008 and launched in 2010, the KTX-Sancheon is operated by South Korea’s national railway operator, Korail, along with SR Corporation. It serves as the backbone of high-speed travel in the country, efficiently linking key urban centres.
12 / 12No 10. Train name: Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000 (ETR1000) | Country: Italy | Top speed: 360 km per hour | The Frecciarossa 1000, built as a joint venture by Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom) and Hitachi Rail Italy in 2013, is Italy’s fastest train. Known for its aerodynamic design and luxury interiors, it connects major cities like Rome, Milan, and Naples at record-breaking speeds.
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