The Vande Bharat Express, also known as Train 18, has marked a significant milestone in India’s railway history as the country’s first fully electric semi-high-speed train. With speeds ranging between 180 kmph and 200 kmph, it stands among India’s fastest trains. However, there are trains globally that surpass its velocity.
**Shanghai Maglev: 460 kmph (China)**
The Shanghai Maglev, or Transrapid, is the world’s fastest train, achieving speeds of 460 kmph and setting a record at 501 kmph. Levitating above the track through an electromagnetic system, it covers the 30.5-km Shanghai Maglev line from Longyang Road Station to Shanghai International Airport in just 8 minutes.
**CR Fuxing: 350 kmph (China)**
China’s Fuxing trains, owned by the government, operate at 350 kmph. Developed entirely indigenously, these high-speed trains accommodate over 500 passengers and serve various rail lines in China, including the Beijing-Shanghai route, completing the journey in five hours.
**DB ICE: 350 kmph (Germany)**
The Intercity Express 3, or ICE 3, operates at a maximum speed of 320 kmph in Germany. Manufactured by Siemens and Bombardier, these trains are used by Deutsche Bahn (DB) in Germany and the Dutch Railway. The Velaro train rakes, inspired by ICE 3M/F models, operate in several countries globally.
**SCNCF TGV: 320 kmph (France)**
France’s TGV, or “A Grande Vitesse,” symbolizes high-speed rail in Europe. Manufactured by Alstom, it connects France with neighboring countries like Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. TGV trains also operate in various other countries, including the US, Spain, Italy, Morocco, China, South Korea, and Switzerland.
**JR Shinkansen: 320 kmph (Japan)**
Japan’s Shinkansen, the iconic bullet train, initially laid a 515-km line in 1964. The present E5 and H5 series, manufactured by Hitachi Rail and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, reach a maximum speed of 320 kmph, contributing to Japan’s extensive high-speed railway network exceeding 3,000 km.
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