Speed records in rail transport
This article provides an overview of speed records in rail transport . It is divided into absolute records for rail vehicles and fastest connections in the timetable.
Current speed records
An L0 Series trainset, holding the non-conventional train world speed record of 603 km/h (375 mph)
TGV 4402 (operation V150 ) reaching 574.8 km/h (357 mph)
The world record for a conventional wheeled passenger train is held by a modified French TGV high-speed (with standard equipment) code named V150, set in 2007 when it reached 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph) on a 140 km (87 mi) section of LGV Est line, part of the Trans-European high-speed rail network .[ 1] Japan's experimental maglev train L0 Series achieved 603 km/h (375 mph) on a 42.8 km (26.6 mi) magnetic levitation track in 2015.[ 2]
Under commercial traffic and practical conditions where trains carry passengers across from one station to another, the world records for top operating speeds of maglev and single-phase trains are held respectively by China's Shanghai Maglev Train with a top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph) and CR400 Fuxing Hao at 350 km/h (220 mph). They are followed by France's TGV Duplex , Japan's E5 Series Shinkansen and the German ICE 3 (when operating in France[ 3] ) which all have maximum operating speeds of 320 km/h (200 mph) for commercial services.[ 4]
Past world speed records
Legend:
Arr (Arrangement)
Disposition and number of elements forming the train.
Loc
One locomotive pulling one or more cars.
Multi
Multiple motorized elements on a single train.
Single
Single rail vehicle (i.e. railbus )
Power
DC , DC 3rd rail , AC , Single phase , Triphase , Diesel-elec., Gas , Steam, Diesel-hydraulic, Propeller , Rocket, Jet
State
"Proto." (Prototype)
"Unmod." (Unmodified from vehicles in service)
"Tuned" (Modified at some level for a better performance)
"Unknown"
All passenger trains
The following is a partial list of absolute world speed records for all trains designed to carry passengers, regardless of gauge, propulsion or type of rail.
Speed
Date
Line
Country
Train
Arr
Power
State
Comments
603 km/h (375 mph)
2015-04-21
Yamanashi Test Track
Japan
L0 Series
Multi
AC (Maglev )
Proto.
Seven-car train set, manned[ 2]
590 km/h (367 mph)
2015-04-16
Yamanashi Test Track
Japan
L0 Series
Multi
AC (Maglev)
Proto.
Seven-car train set, manned[ 5]
581 km/h (361 mph)
2003-12-02
Yamanashi Test Track
Japan
MLX01
Multi
AC (Maglev)
Proto.
Three-car train set. Guinness Book of Records authenticated.[ 6]
574.8 km/h (357 mph)
2007-04-03
LGV Est
France
SNCF TGV POS Set No. 4402
Multi
AC
Tuned
Extensive modifications. Set formed of 5 cars.[ 7] Current world record on steel rails.
568 km/h (353 mph)
2007-04-01
LGV Est
France
SNCF TGV POS Set No. 4402
Multi
AC
Tuned
Set formed of 5 cars.[ 8]
515.3 km/h (320 mph)
1990-05-18
LGV Atlantique
France
SNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325
Multi
AC
Tuned
Extensive modifications.
510.6 km/h (317 mph)
1990-05-09
LGV Atlantique
France
SNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325
Multi
AC
Tuned
Extensive modifications.[ 9]
501 km/h (311 mph)
2003-11-12
Shanghai Maglev Train
China
Transrapid SMT
Multi
AC (Maglev)
Unmod.
Recorded in 2003 at a test run before the commercial operation in 2004[ 10]
487.3 km/h (303 mph)
2011-01-10
Beijing–Shanghai HSR
China
CRH380B L
Multi
Single phase
Unmod.
16-car trainset[ 11]
486.1 km/h (302 mph)
2010-12-03
Beijing–Shanghai HSR
China
CRH380A L
Multi
Single phase
Unmod.
16-car trainset, near Sùzhōu [ 12]
482.4 km/h (300 mph)
1990-12-05
LGV Atlantique
France
SNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325
Multi
AC
Tuned
Extensive modifications. [ 13]
443.0 km/h (275.3 mph)
1996-07-26
Tōkaidō Shinkansen
Japan
Class 955 Shinkansen
Multi
AC
Proto
435.0 km/h (270.3 mph)
2023-06-28
Fuzhou-Xiamen HSR
China
CR400AF -J-0002
Multi
AC
Proto
8-car train with a CR450AF prototype carriage[ 14]
421.4 km/h (262 mph)
2013-03-28
Gyeongbu high-speed railway
South Korea
Hyundai Rotem HEMU-430X
Multi
AC
Proto
six-car train set, maximum speed test[ 15]
411.5 km/h (256 mph)
1974-08-14
High Speed Ground Test Center
United States
LIMRV [ 16]
Loc
Gas turbine
Proto
408.4 km/h (254 mph)
1988
LGV Sud-Est
France
SNCF TGV Sud-Est Set No. 88
Multi
AC
[ 17]
406.9 km/h (253 mph)
1988-05-01
Hanover–Würzburg high-speed railway
Germany
Intercity Experimental (ICE V)
Multi
AC
Proto
The first time that a railway vehicle broke the 400 km/h mark. The official world record was beaten just one year later by the French TGV.[ 18]
403.7 km/h (251 mph)
2006-07-16
Madrid-Barcelona HSL
Spain
Renfe Class 103
Multi
AC
Unmod.
Currently holds the record of the fastest unmodified AC trainset (non-Maglev) in the world.
400 km/h (250 mph)
2019-12-14
Tohoku Shinkansen
Japan
Class E956 "ALFA-X"
Multi
AC
Proto
393.8 km/h (245 mph)
2016-02-26
AV Milano-Torino
Italy
ETR 1000
Multi
AC
Unmod.
380 km/h (236 mph)
2007-04-03
LGV Est
France
SNCF TGV POS Set No. 4404
Multi
AC
unmod
Set formed of 10 cars -The 4404 train opens the way at 380 km/h for record breaker Tgv 4402 V150 train.[ 19]
380 km/h (236 mph)
1981-02-26
LGV Sud-Est
France
SNCF TGV Sud-Est Set No. 16
Multi
AC
Tuned
Line voltage increased from 25 kV to 29 kV, wheels of a larger diameter, and gear ratios between motors and wheels increased.
362 km/h (225 mph)
2009-02-04
Monte Bibele tunnel (Bologna-Firenze HSL )
Italy
ETR 500-Y
Multi
AC
Tuned
World record in tunnel.[ 20]
352.4 km/h (219 mph)
2004-12-16
Gyeongbu high-speed railway
South Korea
Hyundai Rotem HSR-350x
Multi
AC
Proto
334.7 km/h (208 mph)
2003-07-30
High Speed 1
United Kingdom
Alstom Eurostar Tgv 3313/4, British Rail Class 373
Multi
AC
Unmod
The speed of 334.7 km/h was recorded at Nashenden Valley, just outside Rochester.[ 21]
331 km/h (206 mph)
1955-03-29
"Les Landes", between Bordeaux and Dax
France
Jeumont-Schneider SNCF BB 9003-9004
Loc
DC
Tuned
Pulling 3 cars. Train was specially modified for the test. The track was badly damaged by the test.[ 22] [ 23]
318 km/h (198 mph)
1974-12-08
"Les Landes", between Bordeaux and Dax
France
TGV001
Multi
AC
proto
TGV first prototype[ 24]
303 km/h (188 mph)
2007-09-14
Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway between Ankara and Eskişehir.
Turkey
ETR 500 Y2
Multi
AC
Unmod.
Turkish railway speed record. Record set during testing of the high-speed railway, 18 months before revenue service began.[ 25]
243 km/h (151 mph)
1954-02-21
France
SNCF CC 7107
Loc
DC
unmod
[ 26]
303 km/h (188 mph)
2008-09-14
Western Main Line
Sweden
Bombardier Regina
Multi
AC
Proto.
Swedish national speed record.
293 km/h (182 mph)
2013-11-24
Grodzisk Mazowiecki–Zawiercie railway
Poland
Pendolino
ED250-001
Multi
DC
Unmod.
Polish national speed record.
275 km/h (171 mph)
1967-12-20
Northeast Corridor between Trenton and New Brunswick, New Jersey
United States
UAC TurboTrain
GTEL
--
Unmod.
--
271 km/h (168 mph)
1993-10-05
Saint Petersburg — Moscow
Russia
TEP80
Loc
Diesel-elec
Proto.
Claimed,[ 27] but no verification from an independent witness[ 28]
256 km/h (159 mph)
2002-06-12, 2002-07-10
Madrid - Barcelona , Olmedo-Medina del Campo
Spain
Talgo XXI
Multi
Diesel-elec
Proto.
Claimed by the company for both dates.[ 29] [ 30]
245 km/h (152 mph)
1980
Rosslyn to De Wildt South Africa
South Africa
South African Class 6E
Loc
DC
Proto.
High speed pantographs was tested for British rail on locomotive number E1525. The idea was abandoned thereafter.
238 km/h (148 mph)
1987-11-01
East Coast Main Line
United Kingdom
Class 43 (HST)
Multi
Diesel-elec
Modified
Current official diesel speed record listed in 2006 Guinness Book of Records [ 31]
230.4 km/h (143 mph)
1973-06-12
East Coast Main Line
United Kingdom
HST prototype
Multi
Diesel-elec
Proto.
[ 32]
205 km/h (127 mph)
1936-02-17
Germany
DRG SVT 137 233-234 "Bauart Leipzig"
Multi
Diesel-elec
Unmod.
First diesel train faster than 200 km/h (124 mph)[ 33] [ 34]
203 km/h (126 mph)
1938-20-07
Bologna-Milano line between Pontenure and Piacenza
Italy
FS Class ETR 200
Loc
DC
Unmod.
202.58 km/h (126 mph)
1938-03-07
East Coast Main Line between Peterborough and Grantham
United Kingdom
LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
Authenticated speed. World Steam Speed Record Holder to this day. Analysis of the original dynamometer rolls in 2018 however points to several issues with the original authentication and a sustained maximum speed of 199.36 km/h (124 mph).[ 35]
166.6 km/h (104 mph)
1934-07-20
United States
Milwaukee Road class F6 #6402
Loc
Steam
Unmod
A point between Oakwood, Illinois and Lake, Wisconsin . Also averaged 75.5 mph (122 km/h) on 85 miles (137 km) from Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee , and 89.92 mph (145 km/h) for a 68.9 miles (110.9 km) stretch[ 36]
164.6 km/h (102 mph)
1904-05-09
United Kingdom
GWR 3700 Class 3440 City of Truro
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
In 1904, City of Truro may have achieved the first 100 mph (161 km/h) by a steam locomotive, as measured by Charles Rous-Marten .
161 km/h (100 mph)
1934-11-30
East Coast Main Line
United Kingdom
LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
In 1934, Flying Scotsman achieved the first authenticated 100 mph (161 km/h) by a steam locomotive.[ 37]
48 km/h (30 mph)
1829
Rainhill Trials
United Kingdom
Stephenson's Rocket
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
[ 38]
Conventional wheeled
The following is a list of verified absolute world speed records for conventional wheeled rail vehicles.
Speed
Date
Line
Country
Train
Arr.
Power
State
Comments
574.8 km/h (357 mph)
2007-04-03
LGV Est
France
SNCF TGV POS Set No. 4402
Multi
AC
Tuned
Set formed of 2 power cars + 3 trailers.[ 7] Current world record on steel rails.
515.3 km/h (320 mph)
1990-05-18
LGV Atlantique
France
SNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325
Multi
AC
Tuned
Extensive modifications.
487.3 km/h (303 mph)
2010-12-03
Beijing–Shanghai HSR
China
CRH380B L
Multi
Single phase
Unmod.
16-car trainset[ 39]
486.1 km/h (302 mph)
2010-12-03
Beijing–Shanghai HSR
China
CRH380A L
Multi
Single phase
Unmod.
16-car trainset, near Sùzhōu [ 40]
482.4 km/h (300 mph)
1989-12-05
LGV Atlantique
France
SNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325
Multi
AC
Tuned
Extensive modifications.
421.4 km/h (262 mph)
2013-03-28
Gyeongbu high-speed railway
South Korea
Hyundai Rotem HEMU-430X
Multi
AC
Proto
six-car train set. maximum speed test.
406.9 km/h (253 mph)
1988-05-01
Hanover–Würzburg high-speed railway
Germany
Intercity Experimental (ICE V)
Multi
AC
Proto
The first time that a railway vehicle broke the 400 km/h mark. The record was beaten just one year later by the French TGV.[ 18]
380 km/h (236 mph)
1981-02-26
LGV Sud-Est
France
SNCF TGV Sud-Est Set No. 16
Multi
AC
Tuned
Line voltage increased from 25 kV to 29 kV, wheels of a larger diameter, and gear ratios between motors and wheels increased.
352.4 km/h (219 mph)
2004-12-16
Gyeongbu high-speed railway
South Korea
Hyundai Rotem HSR-350x
Multi
AC
Proto
334.7 km/h (208 mph)
2003-07-30
High Speed 1
United Kingdom
Eurostar 3313/4, British Rail Class 373
Multi
AC
Unmod
The speed of 334.7 km/h was recorded at Nashenden Valley, just outside Rochester.[ 21]
331 km/h (206 mph)
1955-03-29
"Les Landes", between Bordeaux and Dax
France
Jeumont-Schneider SNCF BB 9003-9004
Loc
DC
Tuned
Pulling 3 cars. Train was specially modified for the test. The track was badly damaged by the test.[ 22] [ 23]
271 km/h (168 mph)
1993-10-05
Saint Petersburg — Moscow
Russia
TEP80
Loc
Diesel-elec
Proto.
Claimed,[ 27] but no verification from an independent witness[ 28]
238 km/h (148 mph)
1987-11-01
East Coast Main Line
United Kingdom
Class 43 (HST)
Multi
Diesel-elec
Modified
Current official diesel speed record listed in 2006 Guinness Book of Records [ 31]
230.4 km/h (143 mph)
1973-06-12
East Coast Main Line
United Kingdom
HST prototype
Multi
Diesel-elec
Proto.
[ 32]
205 km/h (127 mph)
1936-02-17
Germany
DRG SVT 137 233-234 "Bauart Leipzig"
Multi
Diesel-elec
Unmod.
World speed record. First diesel train faster than 200 km/h (124 mph)[ 33] [ 34]
202.6 km/h (126 mph)
1938-07-03
United Kingdom
LNER Class A4 No. 4468 Mallard
Loc
Steam
unknown
[ 41] [ 42] Downhill grade. Data indicates peak speed 202.6 km/h (126 mph), mean speed (half-mile) 201.2 km/h (125 mph). Mallard suffered an overheated crankpin during the run, but was repaired and returned to traffic within 9 days.[ 43] This is the standing record for a steam locomotive. Analysis of the original dynamometer rolls in 2018 however points to several issues with the original authentication and a sustained maximum speed of 199.36 km/h (124 mph).[ 44]
166.6 km/h (104 mph)
1934-07-20
United States
Milwaukee Road class F6 #6402
Loc
Steam
Unmod
A point between Oakwood, Illinois and Lake, Wisconsin . Also averaged 75.5 mph (122 km/h) on 85 miles (137 km) from Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee , and 89.92 mph (145 km/h) for a 68.9 miles (110.9 km) stretch[ 36]
161 km/h (100 mph)
1934-11-30
East Coast Main Line
United Kingdom
LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
In 1934, Flying Scotsman achieved the first authenticated 100 mph (161 km/h) by a steam locomotive.[ 37]
48 km/h (30 mph)
1829
Rainhill Trials
United Kingdom
Stephenson's Rocket
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
[ 38]
Electric
The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles with electric traction motors and powered by electricity transferred to the train.
Speed records of electric locomotive and electric multiple unit trains
Speed
Date
Line
Country
Train
Arr.
Power
State
Comments
574.8 km/h (357 mph)
2007-04-03
LGV Est
France
SNCF TGV POS Set No. 4402
Multi
Single phase
Tuned
Set formed of 2 power cars + 3 trailers.[ 7] Current world record.
487.3 km/h (303 mph)
2010-12-03
Beijing–Shanghai HSR
China
CRH380B L
Multi
Single phase
Unmod.
16-car trainset[ 39] Current record for the top speed of an unmodified production vehicle.
486.1 km/h (302 mph)
2010-12-03
Beijing–Shanghai HSR
China
CRH380A L
Multi
Single phase
Unmod.
16-car trainset, near Sùzhōu [ 40]
443.0 km/h (275 mph)
1996-07-26
Tōkaidō Shinkansen
Japan
Class 955 Shinkansen
Multi
Single phase
Proto
425.0 km/h (264 mph)
1993-12-21
Jōetsu Shinkansen
Japan
Class 952/953 Shinkansen
Multi
Single phase
Proto
421.4 km/h (262 mph)
2013-03-28
Gyeongbu high-speed railway
South Korea
Hyundai Rotem HEMU-430X
Multi
Single phase
Proto
six-car train set. maximum speed test.[ 15]
416.6 km/h (259 mph)
2010-09-28
Shanghai–Hangzhou HSR
China
CRH380A
Multi
Single phase
Unmod.
[ 45]
403.7 km/h (251 mph)
2006-07-15
Madrid–Barcelona HSR between Guadalajara and Calatayud
Spain
Siemens Velaro E (AVE S-103)
Multi
Single phase
Unmod.
15–16 July [ 46] [ 47] Record for the top speed of an unmodified production vehicle until 2010.
368.4 km/h (229 mph)
2001-09-03
Hannover–Berlin between Oebisfelde and Rathenow
Germany
ICE 3 (DB BR 406)
Multi
Single phase
Unmod.
The journey was carried out as a regular approval journey, whereby according to German regulations a speed of at least 10% higher to the approval speed must be reached during the approval process. Since the train was regularly approved for 330 km/h, at least 363 km/h had to be reached during the test run.[ 48] Record for the top speed of an unmodified production vehicle until 2006.
362 km/h (225 mph)
2009-02-03
Bologna–Florence high-speed railway
Italy
ETR 500 Y1
Multi
Single phase
Tuned
Indoor Italian speed record, in the Monte Bibele tunnel on the high speed line between Florence and Bologna.[ 49] [ 50]
357 km/h (222 mph)
2006-09-02
Nuremberg–Ingolstadt high-speed railway
Germany
Siemens EuroSprinter ES64U4 No. 1216 050-5
Loc
AC
Unmod.
On Nuremberg–Ingolstadt high-speed railway , locomotive owned by ÖBB , pulling one car.[ 22] [ 51] Record for the maximum speed of an electric locomotive.
334.7 km/h (208 mph)
2003-07-30
High Speed 1
United Kingdom
Eurostar 3313/4, British Rail Class 373
Multi
AC
Unmod
The speed of 334.7 km/h was recorded at Nashenden Valley, just outside Rochester.[ 21]
331 km/h (206 mph)
1955-03-29
"Les Landes", between Bordeaux and Dax
France
Jeumont-Schneider SNCF BB 9003-9004
Loc
DC
Tuned
Pulling 3 cars. Train was specially modified for the test. The track was badly damaged by the test.[ 22] [ 23]
319 km/h (198 mph)
1979-12-07
Oyama test track
Japan
Class 961 Shinkansen
Multi
Single phase
Proto.
test track, now part of Tōhoku Shinkansen [ 52]
286 km/h (178 mph)
1972-02-24
Sanyō Shinkansen
Japan
Class 951 Shinkansen
Multi
Single phase
Proto.
[ 52]
256 km/h (159 mph)
1963-03-30
Odawara test track
Japan
Class 1000 Shinkansen
Multi
Single phase
Proto.
Test track now part of Tōkaidō Shinkansen [ 52]
210.2 km/h (131 mph)
1903-10-28
Royal Prussian Military Railway between Marienfelde and Zossen
Germany
AEG Experimental three-phase railcar
Multi
Triphase
Proto.
Overall speed record. Many sources say 27 October.[ 53] [ 54] [ 55]
203 km/h (126 mph)
1939-20-07
Florence–Bologna "direttissima" and Bologna-Milan lines
Italy
ETR 200
Multi
DC
Unmod.
Record average speed between Bologna and Milan [ 56]
203 km/h (126 mph)
1903-10-06
Royal Prussian Military Railway between Marienfelde and Zossen
Germany
Siemens & Halske Experimental three-phase railcar
Multi
Triphase
Proto.
After railbed was improved. Some sources say 7 October, others say 200.99 km/h (125 mph) or an improbable 231 km/h (144 mph).[ 53] [ 57] [ 58]
180 km/h (112 mph)
1941
Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad
United States
Electroliner
Multi
DC. It used its OHEL system, not its 3rd rail system for the record run.[ 59]
Unmod.
When the sets were received in 1941, during one test run the traction motors were allowed full field shunt to determine absolute maximum speed. It reached just over 110 mph (180 km/h), but at that speed the train reached highway crossings before the crossing gates fully closed, a dangerous situation. Thereafter, the sets were limited to 90 mph (140 km/h).[ 60]
175 km/h (109 mph) or
1988-04-11
on the Waterloo to Weymouth route
United Kingdom
British Rail Class 442
N/A
DC 3rd rail
Unmod.
World speed record for a 750 DC 3rd rail train.[ 61] [ 62]
162.5 km/h (101 mph)
1901
Royal Prussian Military Railway between Marienfelde and Zossen
Germany
Siemens & Halske Experimental three-phase railcar
Multi
Triphase
Proto.
Early tests of AC power. Some sources say 160 km/h (99 mph) or 162 km/h (101 mph).[ 63]
161 km/h (100 mph)
1934-08
Northeast Corridor
United States
Pennsylvania Railroad class GG1
Loc
Single Phase
Unmod.
First streamlined electric passenger train in the world, pulling 14 coaches at sustained speeds of 161 km/h.
156 km/h (97 mph)
1930
Cincinnati and Lake Erie Railroad
United States
Red Devil (interurban)
Single
DC
Unmod.
Defeated a plane in a race for publicity.[ 64]
141.22 km/h (87.75 mph)
1972-01-31
LIRR Main Line between Woodside and Jamaica
United States
R44 (New York City Subway car)
Multi
DC
Unmod.
World speed record for a subway train. When half the motors were disabled to simulate the weight of a rush-hour crowd, it still reached 124 km/h (77 mph). The cars were capable of even higher speeds, as the consist was still accelerating as it approached the end of the designated test track.[ 65] [ 66]
Fuel-electric
The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles with on-board fuel to generate electricity for traction motors such as diesel-electric locomotive , diesel electric multiple unit and gas turbine-electric locomotive trains.
Fuel-mechanic
The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles with on-board fuel to mechanical energy to drive vehicle's wheels such as diesel-hydraulic trains and gas turbine locomotive trains that use mechanical transmission to power the drive wheels.
Steam
The following is a list of speed records for steam locomotives .
Note: All records with a faster speed than 202.6 km/h (126 mph) (the record set by Mallard ) are claimed and have not been officially verified (compare rival claims section).
Speed record of steam rail vehicles
Speed
Date
Line
Country
Train
Arr.
Power
State
Comments
202.6 km/h (126 mph)
1938-07-03
East Coast Main Line
United Kingdom
LNER Class A4 No. 4468 Mallard
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
[ 68] [ 42] Downhill grade. Data indicates peak speed 202.6 km/h (126 mph), mean speed (half-mile) 201.2 km/h (125 mph). Mallard suffered an overheated center big end bearing (or crankpin ) during the run, but was repaired and returned to traffic within 9 days.[ 43] Mallard ' s record is the standing world speed record for a steam locomotive.
200.4 km/h (125 mph)
1936-05-11
Germany
Borsig DRG series 05 002
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
Level grade.[ 69]
198 km/h (123 mph)
1934-12-27
New York Central Railroad (also B&A , THB , MC , CCC&StL )
United States
New York Central Hudson "Commodore Vanderbilt"
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
This was the first streamlined coal-fired steam train in history.
181.1 km/h (113 mph)
1935-04-05
United States
Milwaukee Road class A #2
Loc
Steam
unknown
This was the first streamlined oil-fired steam train in history. Claimed to have sustained 112.5 mph (181 km/h) for 14 miles (23 km). Average speed for 136 miles (219 km) between Milwaukee and New Lisbon, Wisconsin was 74.9 mph (121 km/h).[ 36]
173.8 km/h (108 mph)
1935-03-05
East Coast Main Line
United Kingdom
LNER Class A3 2750 Papyrus
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
The locomotive reached a peak speed of 108 mph and maintained a speed above 100 mph for 12.5 consecutive miles, hauling a 217-ton load that included a dynamometer car to provide an accurate record of performance.
166.6 km/h (104 mph)
1934-07-20
United States
Milwaukee Road class F6 #6402
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
A point between Oakwood, Illinois and Lake, Wisconsin . Also averaged 75.5 mph (122 km/h) on 85 miles (137 km) from Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee , and 89.92 mph (145 km/h) for a 68.9 miles (110.9 km) stretch.[ 36] This trip was a test run for the feasibility of a new planned high speed passenger train service between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul via Milwaukee, which came to fruition the next year as the Hiawatha .
161 km/h (100 mph)
1934-11-30
East Coast Main Line
United Kingdom
LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
In 1934, Flying Scotsman achieved the first authenticated 100 mph (161 km/h) by a steam locomotive.[ 37] [ note 1]
165 km/h (102.3 mph)
1904-05-4
Exeter to Bristol Line
United Kingdom
GWR 3700 Class 3440 City of Truro
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
This was the first independently measured and published 100 mph (161 km/h) by a steam locomotive.[ 70] [ note 2]
149 km/h (92.3 mph)
1895-10-24
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway
United States
Brooks -built ten-wheeler and train
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
The engineer was presented with a memorial watch from the Webb C. Ball Company in a ceremony at the Brooks Locomotive Works offices on April 17, 1896.[ 71]
145 km/h (90 mph)
1895
London and North Western Railway
United Kingdom
LNWR Improved Precedent Class No. 790 Hardwicke
Loc
Steam
unmod.
[ 72]
160.9 km/h (100 mph)
1893-05-10
United States
Empire State Express No. 999
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
112 mph (180 km/h) claimed, which would make it the first wheeled vehicle to exceed 100 mph (161 km/h).[ 73] [ 74] Unauthenticated and dubious.
129 km/h (80 mph)
1840s
Great Western Main Line
United Kingdom
GWR Iron Duke class Iron Duke
Loc
Steam
unknown
[ 72]
64 km/h (40 mph)
1830-09
Liverpool and Manchester Railway
United Kingdom
Northumbrian
Loc
Steam
unknown
[ 72]
48 km/h (30 mph)
1829
Rainhill Trials
United Kingdom
Stephenson's Rocket
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
[ 38]
8 km/h (5 mph)[citation needed ]
1804-02-21
Merthyr Tramroad
United Kingdom
Richard Trevithick :World's first railway steam locomotive
Loc
Steam
Unmod.
On 21 February 1804 it successfully carried 11.24 tons of coal, five wagons and 70 men over the full distance, in 4 hours and 5 minutes, at an average speed of 2.4 mph (3.9 km/h).[ 75] [ 76]
Note:
^ The speed was measured and recorded using a mechanical device. The record was available for public inspection.
^ This was recorded by Charles Rous-Marten , a highly experienced railway journalist who subsequently published his notebook. But since the times were recorded using a stopwatch they must remain unauthenticated. His stated figure of 102.3 mph comes from a single quarter-mile taking 8.8 seconds on a stopwatch with a 0.2 second minimum interval; the next step, 9.0 seconds, would equate to 100 mph.
Air propulsion
The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles that use air propulsion to move rail vehicles while the wheels are rolling along the track.
Using an air cushion and a monorail , the Aérotrain set on 5 March 1974 a mean speed of 417.6 km/h (259.5 mph) and a peak speed of 430.4 km/h (267.4 mph).
Conventional wheeled – Narrow gauge
The European speed record on meter gauge was achieved in the night from 8th to 9th July 2022. A Rhaetian Railway class ABe 4/16 train made by Stadler Rail reached 163 kph during testing in the Vereina tunnel .[ 90]
Maglev trains
World fastest point-to-point average speeds in commercial operations
The following are the lists of world record average operating speeds between two stations. The average speeds are measured by the total time and the distance between the two stations.
All commercially operated trains
World record average operating speeds of trains in commercial traffic
Average speed
Top speed
Train
Type
Location
From
To
Distance
Duration
Date from
Date to
Comments
316.7 km/h (197 mph)
350 km/h (217 mph)
Fuxing (train)
Single phase
China
Beijing
Nanjing
1,018.6 km (633 mi)
193 min
2018
On Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway [ 91]
283.7 km/h (176 mph)
300 km/h (310 km/h with +10 tolerance)
CRH380
Single phase
China
Shijiazhuang
Zhengzhou
383.0 km (238 mi)
81 min
2010
On Wuhan-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway [ 92]
279.3 km/h (174 mph)
320 km/h (199 mph)
TGV Duplex
Single phase
France
Lorraine TGV
Champagne-Ardenne
TGV
167.6 km (104 mi)
36 min
2007
2010
On the LGV Est [ 93]
263.4 km/h (164 mph)
320 km/h (199 mph)
E5 series shinkansen
Single phase
Japan
Ōmiya
Sendai
294.1 km (183 mi)
67 min
2011
2017
With the Hayabusa service on the Tohoku Shinkansen line[ 94]
263.3 km/h (164 mph)
320 km/h (199 mph)
TGV Duplex
Single phase
France
Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport
Aix-en-Provence
289.6 km (180 mi)
66 min
2005
2007
On the LGV Méditerranée [ 95]
261.8 km/h (163 mph)
300 km/h (186 mph)
Nozomi Shinkansen
Single phase
Japan
Hiroshima
Kokura
192.0 km (119 mi)
44 min
1997
2005
Operated by 500 Series Shinkansen [ 95]
249.5 km/h (155 mph)
431 km/h (268 mph)
Shanghai Maglev Train
AC (Maglev)
China
Longyang Road
Pudong International Airport
29 km (18 mi)
7 minutes 20 seconds
2003
Average and maximum speeds during peak operation 09:00–10:45 and 15:00–15:45[ 96]
235.8 km/h (147 mph)
310 km/h (193 mph)
AVE S-103
Single phase
Spain
Madrid-Atocha
Barcelona-Sants
620.9 km (386 mi)
158 min
2008
On Madrid–Barcelona high-speed rail line
232.4 km/h (144 mph)
300 km/h (186 mph)
ICE 3
Single phase
Germany
Frankfurt Airport
Siegburg/Bonn
143.3 km (89 mi)
37 min
2006
On Cologne–Frankfurt high-speed rail line [ 97]
223.2 km/h (139 mph)
320 km/h (199 mph)
Al Boraq
Single phase
Morocco
Tanger-Ville
Kenitra-Ville
186 km (116 mi)
50 min
2018
On Casablanca–Tangier high-speed rail line
219.9 km/h (137 mph)
320 km/h (199 mph)
Eurostar e300 /e320
Single phase
United Kingdom , France
London St Pancras
Paris Gare du Nord
491 km (305 mi)
134 min
2007
On High Speed 1 , Channel Tunnel , LGV Nord . On a trip 2007 the train took 124 min, which equals an average of 238.3 km/h (148 mph).[ 98]
210.8 km/h (131 mph)
300 km/h (186 mph)
ETR500 , Frecciarossa 1000 , ETR575 "Italo"
Single phase
Italy
Milano Centrale
Bologna Centrale
214.7 km (133 mi)
61 min
2008
On Milan-Bologna high speed railway
254.3 km/h (158 mph)
300 km/h (186 mph)
TGV
Single phase
France
Gare de Lille Europe
Charles de Gaulle Airport
203.4 km (126 mi)
48 min
1995
1997
On LGV Interconnexion Est and LGV Nord .[ 99] Historical
130.4 km/h (81 mph)
161 km/h (100 mph)
Morning Hiawatha
Steam
United States
Sparta, Wisconsin
Portage, Wisconsin
126.0 km (78 mi)
58 min
1939
1971
78.3 miles (126.0 km) in 58 minutes,[ 36] Milwaukee Road class F7 . Historical
114.8 km/h (71 mph)
148.7 km/h (92 mph)
Cheltenham Spa Express
Steam
United Kingdom
Swindon
London
124.3 km (77 mi)
65 min
1932
1933
77.25 miles (124.32 km) in 65 minutes. Claimed by the Great Western Railway at the time to be the world's fastest train. Now operated by GWR in 49 minutes with Class 800 Hitachi Intercity Express Train .[ 100] Historical
See also
References
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External links
Extremes of motion
Speed Distance Endurance See also