<strong>The fast and the floating:</strong> China's is leading the world in the introduction of Maglev train services.
The fast and the floating: China's is leading the world in the introduction of Maglev train services.
Costfoto/Barcroft Media/Getty Images
<strong>Fuxing fast: </strong>China's CR400 "Fuxing" trains run at a commercial maximum of 350 kph (217 mph) but have successfully reached 420 kph (260 mph) on test.
Fuxing fast: China's CR400 "Fuxing" trains run at a commercial maximum of 350 kph (217 mph) but have successfully reached 420 kph (260 mph) on test.
Chogo/Xinhua/Getty Images
<strong>Ice worms: </strong>Known as "White Worms," Germany's Intercity-Express, or ICE, have an operating speed of 300 kph (186 mph), but ICE3s are authorized to push up to 330 kph when running late.
Ice worms: Known as "White Worms," Germany's Intercity-Express, or ICE, have an operating speed of 300 kph (186 mph), but ICE3s are authorized to push up to 330 kph when running late.
Philipp von Ditfurth/picture alliance/dpa/Getty Images
<strong>Train a Grande Vitesse: </strong>Europe's original high-speed network has lines radiating from Paris to Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Strasbourg, Lille, Brussels and London with trains running at up to 320 kph on some routes.
Train a Grande Vitesse: Europe's original high-speed network has lines radiating from Paris to Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Strasbourg, Lille, Brussels and London with trains running at up to 320 kph on some routes.
Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Speeding bullets: </strong>Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains introduced the world to modern high speed rail travel. Most Shinkansen currently operate at a maximum of 300 kph (186 mph), but some hit 320 kph (200 mph). The long noses are designed to reduce sonic booms in tunnels.
Speeding bullets: Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains introduced the world to modern high speed rail travel. Most Shinkansen currently operate at a maximum of 300 kph (186 mph), but some hit 320 kph (200 mph). The long noses are designed to reduce sonic booms in tunnels.
Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg/Getty Images
<strong>Casablanca express:</strong> Africa's first, and so far only, dedicated high speed line carries trains at up to 320 kph (200 mph) between the port city of Tangiers and Casablanca.
Casablanca express: Africa's first, and so far only, dedicated high speed line carries trains at up to 320 kph (200 mph) between the port city of Tangiers and Casablanca.
Duffour/Andia/Universal Images Group Editorial/Getty Images
<strong>The train in Spain: </strong>Spain's Alta Velocidad Espana usually operates at a commercial maximum of 310 kph (193 mph), but in July 2006 one broke the Spanish rail speed record of 404 kph (251 mph).
The train in Spain: Spain's Alta Velocidad Espana usually operates at a commercial maximum of 310 kph (193 mph), but in July 2006 one broke the Spanish rail speed record of 404 kph (251 mph).
Oriol Paris/Moment Editorial/Flickr Vision/Getty Images
<strong>Seoul train: </strong>South Korea's KTX trains can operate at up to 330 kph. Based on French TGV technology, they have halved Seoul-Busan journey times from over four hours to just two hours and 15 minutes.
Seoul train: South Korea's KTX trains can operate at up to 330 kph. Based on French TGV technology, they have halved Seoul-Busan journey times from over four hours to just two hours and 15 minutes.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Red Arrows: </strong>Italian State Railways' stunning Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) high-speed trains are authorized for a maximum speed of 360 kph.
Red Arrows: Italian State Railways' stunning Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) high-speed trains are authorized for a maximum speed of 360 kph.
Alessandro Rota/Getty Images
<strong>Heat and speed: </strong>Saudi Arabia's Haramain High-Speed Railway links the holy cities of Mecca and Medina at speeds of up to 300 kph (186 mph) with trains modified to cope with desert sands and temperature.
Heat and speed: Saudi Arabia's Haramain High-Speed Railway links the holy cities of Mecca and Medina at speeds of up to 300 kph (186 mph) with trains modified to cope with desert sands and temperature.
Bandar Aldandani/AFP/Getty Images