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The invention of the train is what turned America into a superpower. It changed overland travel, reducing the time it took from months and weeks to days and hours. As the technology advanced, many gave up on trains as a form of transportation in favor of airplanes, but train technology took incredible steps ahead as well. These trains zoom between destinations in speeds cars can only dream about. |
10. TSHR 700T |
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This train runs the line between Taipei and Kaohsiung in Taiwan. With a top speed of 300Km/h (185mph), the THSR 700T shortened travel time between these two cities from 4 hours to 1.5 hours. The initial investment for the production of the first 30 trains cost approximately $3.4 billion. |
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9. ETR Frecciarossa Trains |
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These refurbished trains travel at speeds of 300Km/h (185mph) between Rome and Milan, Italy. They are equipped with climate-control and an advanced silencing system, as well as ergonomic seats meant to provide with the utmost comfort for passengers. |
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8. TVG Duplex |
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It took eight years to develop the TGV Duplex. It has 512 seats, divided into upper and lower decks. It’s built of light-weight aluminum and mainly runs on the Paris-Marsalis line, as well as several others. (Top speed – 300Km/h) |
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7. Alstom Euroduplex |
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This train’s career began in 2011 and was the only one of its series to be upgraded to a duplex train capable of running at 320Km/h (198mph), while carrying 1,020 passengers. These trains were designed to work in Germany, France, Switzerland and Luxemburg. |
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6. 320E5 Series Shinkansen Hayabusa |
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The fastest train in Japan entered service in 2011 and can reach speeds of 320Km/h (198mph). The train was designed with a unique elongated “nose” to reduce the noise it creates as it travels through the many tunnels along its path. |
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5. Taglo (T350) |
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Nicknamed “The Duck” thanks to the elongated front end, this train will take you from Barcelona or Madrid to Valladolid in Spain, and in speeds of 350Km/h (217mph). |
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4. Siemens Velaro E / AVS 103 |
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The fourth fastest train in the world travels the line between Madrid and Barcelona on a track measuring 621Km (385 miles). It is the fastest train in Spain and reaches speeds of 350Km/h, though during one ride it went as fast as 403Km/h (250mph)! |
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3. AVG Italo |
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The most modern train in Europe started its service in 2012 and runs the Naples-Rome-Florence-Milan-Bologna line. This 360Km/h (223mph) train is known for its comfortable seats, low maintenance, energy efficiency and the quietness of the cabins. |
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2. Harmony CRH 380E |
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If you travel between Shanghai and Beijing, take the Harmony lines. It took four and a half years to build the tracks, cost upwards of $17 billion and is now the world’s second-fastest train. Before the construction of this line, the 1,000Km (621 miles) drive would take about 10 hours. Now, this long ride takes less than 3 hours, and the train rockets at speeds of 380Km/h (236mph). |
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1. Shanghai Maglev |
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The journey from Shanghai to Shanghai Airport only takes 7 minutes and 20 seconds, thanks to the incredible maglev train. This train uses magnets to levitate above the tracks, thus reducing friction and reaching speeds of 430Km/h (267mph). |
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Bonus: The Hyperloop |
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In late 2013, the CEO of Tesla Motors, Mr. Elon Musk, introduced his plans to revolutionize transportation by constructing a Hyperloop train. The Hyperloop is an enclosed track in a vacuum, in which pressurized capsules carry people and cargo at speeds of between 962Km/h and 1,220 Km/h (598mph – 760mph). Such speeds will mean that travel between New York and Los Angeles would only take 45 minutes! |
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Joseph S.