RailEnquiry

Just how fast would the Hyperloop transportation system envisioned by entrepreneur Elon Musk have to be? Try more than twice as fast as the fastest commercial train in the world.
Musk recently unveiled details about what he called a highly speculative project.He said he believes the Hyperloop, with giant vacuum-like tubes and a magnetic levitation system, could ferry riders from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 35 minutes.That’s a roughly 350-mile trip, meaning the futuristic capsules would be zipping along at almost 700 mph, or slightly less than the speed of sound.By contrast, the train believed to be the world’s fastest — China’s Shangai Maglev Train, has been recorded at a top speed of 311 mph. But its top operating speed is 268 mph, meaning it would take just under an hour and 20 minutes to make the same trip.As the world ponders whether Musk’s Hyperloop will ever become a reality — he says he doesn’t currently plan to develop it himself — here’s a look at the five fastest trains we have now.
1. Shanghai Maglev Train, China
The Shanghai Maglev (“magnetic levitation”) train connects Shanghai Pudong International Airport with the Shanghai metro system.
It has been recorded at a top speed of 311 mph and its top operating speed is 268 mph, making it the world’s fastest commercial train.
It cost $1.2 billion to build and took on its first passengers in 2003.
2. China Railways CRH380A, China
Running on a more traditional track, the CRH380A has topped out at 302 mph, maxes out commercially at 236 mph and routinely runs at 217 mph.
There are currently four models of the train serving different railroad lines in China.
3. Transrapid TR-09, Germany
Another “mag-lev” train, this one runs on a monorail at a top speed of 279 mph. Formerly the world’s fastest, the Transrapid runs from the Munich airport.
4. Shinkansen Train, Japan
Japan’s famed bullet train, the Shinkansen, is nicknamed “The Duck-Billed Platypus” because of the duck-like shape of its nose. Japan’s high-speed rail network includes more than 1,400 miles of track, where the bullet trains top out at about 275 mph.
5. TGV Réseau, France
In service since 1992, France’s high-speed train generally runs at about 199 mph, with a maximum speed of 236 mph.