List of 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

The world record for a conventional wheeled passenger train is held by a modified French TGV high-speed code named V150, set in 2007 when it reached on a section of LGV Est line, part of the Trans-European high-speed rail network. Japan's experimental maglev train L0 Series achieved on a magnetic levitation track in 2015.
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 and CR400 Fuxing Hao at. They are followed by France's TGV Duplex, Japan's E5 Series Shinkansen and the German ICE 3 which all have maximum operating speeds of for commercial services.

Past world speed records

Legend:
; Arr : Disposition and number of elements forming the train.
; Power: DC, DC 3rd rail, AC, Single phase, AC railway electrification|Triphase], Diesel-elec., Gas, Steam, Diesel-hydraulic, Propeller, Rocket, Jet
; State

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.
SpeedDateLineCountryTrainArrPowerStateComments
2015-04-21Yamanashi Test TrackJapanL0 SeriesMultiAC Proto.Seven-car train set, manned
2015-04-16Yamanashi Test TrackJapanL0 SeriesMultiAC Proto.Seven-car train set, manned
2003-12-02Yamanashi Test TrackJapanMLX01MultiAC Proto.Three-car train set. Guinness Book of Records authenticated.
2007-04-03LGV EstFranceSNCF [TGV POS] Set No. 4402MultiACTunedExtensive modifications. Set formed of 5 cars. Current world record on steel rails.
2007-04-01LGV EstFranceSNCF TGV POS Set No. 4402MultiACTunedSet formed of 5 cars.
1990-05-09LGV AtlantiqueFranceSNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325MultiACTunedExtensive modifications.
2003-11-12Shanghai Maglev TrainChinaTransrapid SMTMultiAC Unmod.Recorded in 2003 at a test run before the commercial operation in 2004
2011-01-10Beijing–Shanghai HSRChinaCRH380BLMultiSingle phaseTuned12-car trainset
2010-12-03Beijing–Shanghai HSRChinaCRH380ALMultiSingle phaseTuned16-car trainset, near Sùzhōu
1990-12-05LGV AtlantiqueFranceSNCF TGV Atlantique Set No. 325MultiACTunedExtensive modifications.
2023-06-28Fuzhou-Xiamen HSRChinaCR400AF-J-0002MultiACProto8-car train with parts for CR450
2013-03-28Gyeongbu high-speed railwaySouth KoreaHyundai Rotem HEMU-430XMultiACProtosix-car train set, maximum speed test
1974-08-14High Speed Ground Test CenterUnited StatesLIMRVLocGas turbineProto
1988LGV Sud-EstFranceSNCF TGV Sud-Est Set No. 88MultiAC
1988-05-01Hanover–Würzburg high-speed railwayGermanyIntercity Experimental MultiACProtoThe 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.
2007-04-03LGV EstFranceSNCF TGV POS Set No. 4404MultiACunmodSet formed of 10 cars -The 4404 train opens the way at 380 km/h for record breaker Tgv 4402 V150 train.
2009-02-04Monte Bibele tunnel ItalyETR 500-YMultiACTunedWorld record in tunnel.
2003-07-30High Speed 1United KingdomAlstom Eurostar Tgv 3313/4, British [Rail Class 373]MultiACUnmodThe speed of 334.7 km/h was recorded at Nashenden Valley, just outside Rochester.
1955-03-29"Les Landes", between Bordeaux and DaxFranceJeumont-Schneider SNCF BB 9003-9004LocDCTunedPulling 3 cars. Train was specially modified for the test. The track was badly damaged by the test.
1974-12-08"Les Landes", between Bordeaux and DaxFranceTGV001MultiACprotoTGV first prototype
2007-09-14Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway between Ankara and Eskişehir.TurkeyETR 500 Y2MultiACUnmod.Turkish railway speed record. Record set during testing of the high-speed railway, 18 months before revenue service began.
1954-02-21FranceSNCF CC 7107LocDCunmod
1993-10-05Saint PetersburgMoscowRussiaTEP80LocDiesel-elecProto.Claimed, but no verification from an independent witness
2002-06-12, 2002-07-10Madrid - Barcelona, Olmedo-Medina del CampoSpainTalgo XXIMultiDiesel-elecProto.Claimed by the company for both dates.
1987-11-01East Coast Main LineUnited KingdomBritish Rail [Class 43 |Class 43 ]MultiDiesel-elecModifiedCurrent official diesel speed record listed in 2006 Guinness Book of Records
1973-06-12East Coast Main LineUnited KingdomHST prototypeMultiDiesel-elecProto.
1936-02-17GermanyDRG SVT 137 233-234 "Bauart Leipzig"MultiDiesel-elecUnmod.First diesel train faster than
1938-03-07East Coast Main Line between Peterborough and GranthamUnited KingdomLNER Class A4 4468 MallardLocSteamUnmod.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.
1934-07-20United StatesMilwaukee Road class F6 #6402LocSteamUnmodA point between Oakwood, Illinois and Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Lake, Wisconsin]. Also averaged on from Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee, and for a stretch
1934-11-30East Coast Main LineUnited KingdomLNER Class A3 4472 Flying ScotsmanLocSteamUnmod.In 1934, Flying Scotsman achieved the first authenticated by a steam locomotive.
1829Rainhill TrialsUnited KingdomStephenson's RocketLocSteamUnmod.

Conventional wheeled

The following is a list of verified absolute world speed records for conventional wheeled rail vehicles.
SpeedDateLineCountryTrainArr.PowerStateComments
2007-04-03LGV EstFranceSNCF TGV POS Set No. 4402MultiACTunedSet formed of 2 power cars + 3 trailers. Current world record on steel rails.
2010-12-03Beijing–Shanghai HSRChinaCRH380BLMultiSingle phaseUnmod.16-car trainset
2010-12-03Beijing–Shanghai HSRChinaCRH380ALMultiSingle phaseUnmod.16-car trainset, near Sùzhōu
2013-03-28Gyeongbu high-speed railwaySouth KoreaHyundai Rotem HEMU-430XMultiACProto
1988-05-01Hanover–Würzburg high-speed railwayGermanyIntercity Experimental MultiACProtoThe first time that a railway vehicle broke the 400 km/h mark. The record was beaten just one year later by the French TGV.
2003-07-30High Speed 1United KingdomEurostar 3313/4, British Rail Class 373MultiACUnmodThe speed of 334.7 km/h was recorded at Nashenden Valley, just outside Rochester.
1955-03-29"Les Landes", between Bordeaux and DaxFranceJeumont-Schneider SNCF BB 9003-9004LocDCTunedPulling 3 cars. Train was specially modified for the test. The track was badly damaged by the test.
1993-10-05Saint PetersburgMoscowRussiaTEP80LocDiesel-elecProto.Claimed, but no verification from an independent witness
1987-11-01East Coast Main LineUnited KingdomClass 43 MultiDiesel-elecModifiedCurrent official diesel speed record listed in 2006 Guinness Book of Records
1973-06-12East Coast Main LineUnited KingdomHST prototypeMultiDiesel-elecProto.
1936-02-17GermanyDRG SVT 137 233-234 "Bauart Leipzig"MultiDiesel-elecUnmod.World speed record. First diesel train faster than
1938-07-03United Kingdom[LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard|LNER Class A4 No. 4468 Mallard]LocSteamunknownDownhill grade. Data indicates peak speed, mean speed . Mallard suffered an overheated crankpin during the run, but was repaired and returned to traffic within 9 days. 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.
1934-07-20United StatesMilwaukee Road class F6 #6402LocSteamUnmodA point between Oakwood, Illinois and Lake, Wisconsin. Also averaged on from Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee, and for a stretch
1934-11-30East Coast Main LineUnited KingdomLNER Class A3 4472 Flying ScotsmanLocSteamUnmod.In 1934, Flying Scotsman achieved the first authenticated by a steam locomotive.
1829Rainhill TrialsUnited KingdomStephenson's RocketLocSteamUnmod.

Electric

The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles with electric traction motors and powered by electricity transferred to the train.
SpeedDateLineCountryTrainArr.PowerStateComments
2007-04-03LGV EstFranceSNCF TGV POS Set No. 4402MultiSingle phaseTunedSet formed of 2 power cars + 3 trailers. Current world record.
2010-12-03Beijing–Shanghai HSRChinaCRH380BLMultiSingle phaseUnmod.16-car trainset Current record for the top speed of an unmodified production vehicle.
2010-12-03Beijing–Shanghai HSRChinaCRH380ALMultiSingle phaseUnmod.16-car trainset, near Sùzhōu
2013-03-28Gyeongbu high-speed railwaySouth KoreaHyundai Rotem HEMU-430XMultiSingle phaseProtosix-car train set. maximum speed test.
2010-09-28Shanghai–Hangzhou HSRChinaCRH380AMultiSingle phaseUnmod.
2006-07-15Madrid–Barcelona HSR between Guadalajara and CalatayudSpainSiemens Velaro E MultiSingle phaseUnmod.15–16 July Record for the top speed of an unmodified production vehicle until 2010.
2001-09-03Hannover–Berlin between Oebisfelde and RathenowGermanyICE 3 MultiSingle phaseUnmod.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. Record for the top speed of an unmodified production vehicle until 2006.
2009-02-03Bologna–Florence high-speed railwayItalyETR 500 Y1MultiSingle phaseTunedIndoor Italian speed record, in the Monte Bibele tunnel on the high speed line between Florence and Bologna.
2006-09-02Nuremberg–Ingolstadt high-speed railwayGermanySiemens EuroSprinter ES64U4 No. 1216 050-5LocACUnmod.On Nuremberg–Ingolstadt high-speed railway, locomotive owned by ÖBB, pulling one car. Record for the maximum speed of an electric locomotive.
2003-07-30High Speed 1United KingdomEurostar 3313/4, British Rail Class 373MultiACUnmodThe speed of 334.7 km/h was recorded at Nashenden Valley, just outside Rochester.
1955-03-29"Les Landes", between Bordeaux and DaxFranceJeumont-Schneider SNCF BB 9003-9004LocDCTunedPulling 3 cars. Train was specially modified for the test. The track was badly damaged by the test.
1979-12-07Oyama test trackJapanClass 961 ShinkansenMultiSingle phaseProto.test track, now part of Tōhoku Shinkansen
1972-02-24Sanyō ShinkansenJapanClass 951 ShinkansenMultiSingle phaseProto.
1963-03-30Odawara test trackJapanClass 1000 ShinkansenMultiSingle phaseProto.Test track now part of Tōkaidō Shinkansen
1903-10-28Royal Prussian Military Railway between Marienfelde and ZossenGermanyAEG Experimental three-phase railcarMultiTriphaseProto.Overall speed record. Many sources say 27 October.
1939-20-07Florence–Bologna "direttissima" and Bologna-Milan linesItalyETR 200MultiDCUnmod.Record average speed between Bologna and Milan
1903-10-06Royal Prussian Military Railway between Marienfelde and ZossenGermanySiemens & Halske Experimental three-phase railcarMultiTriphaseProto.After railbed was improved. Some sources say 7 October, others say or an improbable.
1941Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee RailroadUnited StatesElectrolinerMultiDC. It used its OHEL system, not its 3rd rail system for the record run.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, 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.
or1988-04-11on the Waterloo to Weymouth routeUnited KingdomBritish Rail Class 442N/ADC third railUnmod.World speed record for a 750 DC third rail train.
1901Royal Prussian Military Railway between Marienfelde and ZossenGermanySiemens & Halske Experimental three-phase railcarMultiTriphaseProto.Early tests of AC power. Some sources say or.
1930Cincinnati and Lake Erie RailroadUnited StatesRed Devil SingleDCUnmod.Defeated a plane in a race for publicity.
1972-01-31LIRR Main Line between Woodside and JamaicaUnited StatesR44 MultiDCUnmod.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. The cars were capable of even higher speeds, as the consist was still accelerating as it approached the end of the designated test track.

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.
SpeedDateLineCountryTrainArr.PowerStateComments
1993-10-05Saint PetersburgMoscowRussiaTEP80LocDiesel-elecProto.Has documentation and record of the speed, but no verification from an independent witness.
2002-06-12
2002-07-10
Madrid - Barcelona, Olmedo-Medina del CampoSpainTalgo XXIMultiDiesel-elecProto.Claimed by the company for both dates.
1987-11-01East Coast Main LineUnited KingdomClass 43 MultiDiesel-elecModifiedCurrent official diesel speed record listed in 2006 Guinness Book of Records
1973-06-12East Coast Main LineUnited KingdomHST prototypeMultiDiesel-elecProto.
1936-02-17GermanyDRG SVT 137 233-234 "Bauart Leipzig"MultiDiesel-elecUnmod.World speed record. First diesel train faster than

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.
SpeedDateLineCountryTrainArr.PowerStateComments
1967-12-20Northeast CorridorUnited StatesUAC TurboTrainMultiGasunknown

Steam

The following is a list of speed records for steam locomotives.
Note: All records with a faster speed than are claimed and have not been officially verified.
SpeedDateLineCountryTrainArr.PowerStateComments
1938-07-03East Coast Main LineUnited KingdomLNER Class A4 No. 4468 MallardLocSteamUnmod.Downhill grade. Data indicates peak speed, mean speed . Mallard suffered an overheated center big end bearing during the run, but was repaired and returned to traffic within 9 days. Mallards record is the standing world speed record for a steam locomotive.
1936-05-11GermanyBorsig DRG series 05 002LocSteamUnmod.Level grade.
1935-04-05United StatesMilwaukee Road class A #2LocSteamunknownThis was the first streamlined oil-fired steam train in history. Claimed to have sustained for. Average speed for between Milwaukee and New Lisbon, Wisconsin was.
1934-07-20United StatesMilwaukee Road class F6 #6402LocSteamUnmod.A point between Oakwood, Illinois and Lake, Wisconsin. Also averaged on from Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee, and for a stretch. 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.
1934-11-30East Coast Main LineUnited KingdomLNER Class A3 4472 Flying ScotsmanLocSteamUnmod.In 1934, Flying Scotsman achieved the first authenticated by a steam locomotive.
1904-05-4Exeter to Bristol LineUnited KingdomGWR 3700 Class 3440 City of TruroLocSteamUnmod.This was the first independently measured and published by a steam locomotive.
1895-10-24Lake Shore and Michigan Southern RailwayUnited StatesBrooks-built ten-wheeler and trainLocSteamUnmod.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.
1895London and North Western RailwayUnited KingdomLNWR Improved Precedent Class No. 790 HardwickeLocSteamunmod.
1893-05-10United StatesEmpire State Express No. 999LocSteamUnmod. claimed, which would make it the first wheeled vehicle to exceed. Unauthenticated and dubious.
1840sGreat Western Main LineUnited KingdomGWR Iron Duke class Iron DukeLocSteamunknown
1830-09Liverpool and Manchester RailwayUnited KingdomNorthumbrianLocSteamunknown
1829Rainhill TrialsUnited KingdomStephenson's RocketLocSteamUnmod.

1804-02-21Merthyr TramroadUnited KingdomRichard Trevithick:
World's first railway steam locomotive
LocSteamUnmod.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.

Note:

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.
SpeedDateLineCountryTrainArr.PowerStateComments
1974-08-14High Speed Ground Test CenterUnited StatesLIMRVLocGas turbineProto
1928-06-23GermanyOpel RAK IIILocRocketProto.Unmanned. Some sources say or. See:

Using an air cushion and a monorail, the Aérotrain set on 5 March 1974 a mean speed of and a peak speed of.

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.

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