How Fast do Northern Trains Go?

You won’t be surprised to read that Japan currently has the fastest trains, with their latest - the Maglev holding the land speed record for rail vehicles and clocking in at an unbelievable 374 mph. Still in the development stage for regular commercial use, it’s set to begin carrying passengers in 2027.

Not far behind is France, with its TGV POS. This topped speeds of 357 mph in tests, but for regular services, it travels at a more modest 200 mph. China follow this with their deceptively named Harmony. Reaching 302 mph during tests, it cruises at a more comfortable 236 mph for commercial services.

The UK is far behind these top three super-speed trains, with the maximum mph reached being 186. Eurostar achieved this between London and the Channel Tunnel on the HS1 line, used only by Eurostar and the Javelin commuter services from Ashford in Kent. The HS2, which is still in the building phase, has been designed to facilitate speeds of up to 225 mph, and form the backbone of the UK’s rail network - linking London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

The UK has another four high-speed lines, and these are:

• East Coast Main Line
• West Coast Main Line
• Great Western Main Line
• Midland Main Line

Trains on these lines have a maximum operational speed of 130 mph.  

The average speed on other rail lines is between 60 and 65 mph.

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