So what is the fastest train? Well there are actually a number of answers to that questions. For example, the fastest train on rails is the French TGV (VT150) that recently set a record of 574.8 kph (357.2 mph) on April 3, 2007. While this train actually had passengers when it set the record you will never see a scheduled TGV train ever doing those types of speeds. Here is a video to enjoy of the historic TGV speed run. Now the fastest passenger train is not on rails but rather maglev. The Shanghai China maglev train traveling between Pudong international airport and downtown Shanghai can reach a top speed of 430kph (267mph) in just under two minutes. Not too shabby. The Byun Byun Shinkansen website (an absolutely great site on everything Shinkansen related) has a nice listing of the fastest trains by type.
