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The Briefing
- Japan’s L0 Series Maglev is the fastest train in the world, with a speed record of 374 mph or 602 km/h. It could go the distance from New York City to Montreal in less than an hour.
- China has half of the eight fastest trains, and the world’s largest high-speed railway network.
Visualizing the Fastest Trains in the World
Ever since the invention of the steam locomotive in 1802, trains have been a driving societal force.
Invented in Britain at the height of the Industrial Revolution, steam trains gave the empire an unparalleled advantage in transporting goods and people. Soon it spread around the world as other nations scrambled to build their own railway networks to facilitate growth and commerce.
But just as nations rushed to build more railways, they also tried to build faster trains. Japan’s Tōkaidō Shinkansen or “bullet train” in 1964 was the first high-speed rail system, achieving a speed above 124 mph or 200 km/h.
How do other countries and trains compare?
Let’s dive into the (Read more...)